When your electricity isn’t working correctly at home, it can cause an incredible amount of stress. Electrical problems at your home are not only very inconvenient, but they can also be very costly depending on just what the problem is. In addition, electrical issues can make your home uninhabitable and very dangerous if the damage is bad enough. If your electrical system sounds this bad, it’s likely your home is due for some rewiring to update old and worn-out wires with new, safer ones. Below are some signs to indicate your home needs to be rewired.
The Wiring is Several Years Old
If your home has not been updated in decades, this should be a clear sign it’s time to rewire. Electrical problems contribute to fires, often caused by outdated wiring. In addition, wiring begins to break down as it ages, leading to more and more issues as components age, fray, and wear out.
Discolored Outlets or Switches
Loose or broken-down wiring can cause discolored outlets. Electricity can escape the wiring, allowing sparks that cause the outlets to warp the outlets and switches. This kind of problem can only worsen with time, as the sparks can get bigger and bigger. More extensive sparks create more fire hazards and shock risks.
Constant Burning Smells
As mentioned above, loose wires create sparks that can burn the plastic light switches and outlets. The burning may not always be visible, but you’ll definitely be able to smell it. Any burning smell should be addressed by a professional electrician immediately. The sparks are likely burning the plastic casings of wires inside your walls, and it’s easy for these sparks to catch other things on fire.
Flickering Lights
Always check to make sure your bulbs are tightened. It’s normal for lights to flicker here and there, but too much could be a sign of a severe problem. Compromised wires don’t allow the electricity to reach its location consistently, and it causes flickering. The only way to stop your lights from flicking is to rewire your home.
Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping
As time goes on, the circuit breaker can begin to fail. It takes several years, but a failing circuit breaker clearly shows that your house needs rewiring. Circuit breakers will continue to trip, and eventually, they will stop working. A malfunctioning circuit breaker can cause dangerous surges and stop the breaker from working entirely.
If you have noticed any of the signs above, it indicates that your wiring likely needs to be replaced as soon as possible. That being said, it’s important to note that you should never try to complete any electrical work, especially if you are not trained, on your own. The risk poses to you and your house far outweighs the speed and cost-cutting achieved when you try to DIY a project. Still, you should never wait to address electrical issues, so it’s best to always consult the help of a professional electrician to determine if you need rewiring as soon as you realize something is wrong. As a result, your home will be safer and much more efficient.