Month: April 2025

Faulty electrical wiring is responsible for over 53,000 home fires annually. 

Some of the most common culprits of electrical fires are:

• Frayed chords
• Loose electrical connections
• Damaged wire insulation
• Overheated wires
• Rodent damage to wires
• Outdated electrical wiring, such as knock-and-tube wiring

Many homes in Northeastern Pennsylvania also have not adopted the latest National Electrical Code standards, which mandate that all kitchens, garages, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and laundry rooms install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). 

These devices are designed to shut off electricity to circuits once a ground fault occurs, preventing your electricity from arching or overheating the wiring. 

While most people associate electrical issues with older homes, any home can suffer from these issues. 

Fortunately, spotting these issues is often not as difficult as most people think. By conducting routine home inspections of your electrical system and learning the signs of electrical issues, you can diagnose problems in real time and make repairs to protect your home. 

Dangers of Fault Electrical Systems

It’s easy to address issues in your home when you can spot them with your eyes, whether it’s a leaky roof or a leaky pipe. However, faulty wiring and bad circuits are dangerous because they occur behind closed walls. 

If left unchecked, damaged wiring, short circuits, and even outdated wiring could lead to:

• Electrical Fires: Damaged or overloaded wiring is a leading cause of house fires. Wires that overheat can ignite insulation, wood framing, or nearby household items.
• Electrical Shock: Exposed wiring or improperly grounded circuits can deliver painful or even deadly electric shocks, especially in areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements where water is present.
• Appliance Damage: Faulty wiring can create voltage spikes or inconsistent current flow, which may damage sensitive electronics or shorten the lifespan of appliances.
• Increased Energy Bills: Poor electrical connections force your system to work harder, which can waste electricity and drive up your utility costs.

Even small issues like loose connections or frayed wires can spark major trouble if left unaddressed. In addition to identifying and correcting these issues, it’s also important to update your home’s electrical system to modern standards. With that said, let’s explore six common electrical issues found in older and newer homes alike.

6 Signs of Electrical Issues Within Your Home

If you discover any of these nine potential electrical issues, be sure to perform a home inspection as soon as possible. 

1. Flickering or Dimming Lights: In some cases, a flickering bulb could be the result of a loose bulb, but it could also be a sign that your electrical system is struggling to keep up. Faulty electrical circuits can occur over time for several reasons, including damaged wiring, overloaded circuits, or loose connections.  
2. Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips: Circuit breakers are designed to trip (shut off) when a circuit becomes overloaded or short circuits. While this may be common where huge appliances draw too much power from the same circuit, frequent circuit trips could indicate a deeper problem. 
3. Burning Smell or Discolored Outlets: If you ever notice a faint burning smell (especially one like melting plastic) near outlets, switches, or your breaker panel, stop and investigate immediately. This can indicate a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately, lest you risk starting an electrical fire inside your home. 
4. Sparking Outlets or Switches: A small spark when plugging in a device isn’t always dangerous and can even be common. However, if outlets or switches spark frequently, produce large or loud sparks, or accompany the spark with a burning smell or smoke, it could indicate damaged wiring or a short circuit within the wall. 
5. Outlets or Switch Plates That Feel Warm: Outlets and switches that feel warm to the touch during use could indicate a serious electrical issue that needs to be resolved immediately. In most cases, this is due to an overheated wire that has melted the insulation. 
6. Rodent Damage: Rodents such as mice and squirrels love to chew on insulation and electrical wires, especially in attics, basements, and inside wall cavities. Chewed wiring from mice can lead to a whole host of issues, including exposed wires, sparks, and short circuits.

The Problem with Outdated Wiring

Outdated wiring is one of the most common home inspection issues found in Northeast Pennsylvania, specifically knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring. 

In the former instance, the issue with knob-and-tube wiring comes when new insulation is installed near exposed wires and connections. According to InterNACHI–the leading organization for home inspectors–”(Knob-and-tube) K&T wiring is designed to dissipate heat into free air, and insulation will disturb this process. Insulation around K&T wires will cause heat to build up, and this creates a fire hazard.”

Again, any type of wiring is subject to its own issues, which is why adding in additional controls is important for minimizing risks. 

Modernizing Your Electrical System

In addition to common electrical faults and issues, our home inspectors also frequently note common improvements homeowners should make to outlets when buying or selling a home.

For example, we will point out any two-pronged outlets we find that lack sufficient grounding, which are at greater risk for electrical shock and fires. 

We also recommend that all homes install ground-fault circuit interrupters in required areas by code, especially any room where water is present. 

These simple investments can make your home safer and reduce the risk of an electrical fire or accident. 

The Importance of Home Inspections for Outdated Electrical Systems

A professional home inspection can help you avoid serious injuries or repairs that can result from a faulty or outdated electrical system. We recommend a home inspection anytime you buy or sell a home in Northeast Pennsylvania or whenever one of the potential issues above has been spotted. 

Contact Mountain to Valley Home Inspections today to schedule your home inspection and protect your home and your family.

FAQs

Are older homes more at risk for electrical fires?

Yes. Older homes are more likely to have outdated wiring, worn insulation, ungrounded outlets, and electrical systems that weren’t designed to handle modern power demands — all of which increase the risk of electrical fires.

How often should I have my home’s electrical system inspected?

For homes over 30 years old, it’s wise to schedule an electrical inspection every few years — especially before major renovations, after purchasing a home, or if you notice any signs of trouble.

According to one survey, over 26% of Pennsylvania residents rely on private wells for drinking water in the commonwealth. 

Unlike public water utilities, which are cleaned with advanced filtration systems and disinfectants, well water is often unfiltered and not treated using any chemicals. 

One of the most important tasks of owning a private well is to conduct frequent water sample testing to protect your health and get informed of potential pathogens hiding in your water.

Since most properties with private well systems also rely on septic systems, a combination of water sample testing and septic inspections is especially important, as effluence from septic tanks is one of the most common causes of contamination. 

Learn more about why water sample testing is crucial for all homeowners in Pennsylvania, regardless of whether they get their water from a private well or public utility. 

What Is Water Sample Testing?

Water sample testing is the process of collecting and analyzing a sample of your drinking water to check for the presence of contaminants and assess overall water quality. 

Water samples are sent to a laboratory for testing to detect the presence of harmful bacteria, heavy metals, chemicals, and excess minerals — most of which can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted.

7 Benefits of Water Sample Testing in Northeast Pennsylvania

Water testing can provide early detection of any harmful substances lingering in your water supply or plumbing that can adversely impact your health and home. 

Here are seven reasons to get a water sample test in Northeast Pennsylvania. 

1. Protect Your Family’s Health

Well water contamination can occur from several sources, including runoff from melting snow, stormwater, and wastewater effluents.  

Unfortunately, contaminants like lead, arsenic, nitrates, bacteria, and even viruses can sneak into your water supply without any obvious signs, leading to chronic symptoms that include: 

• Gastrointestinal issues
• Developmental delays in children
• Reproductive problems
• Increased risk of cancer
  

However, well water is not the only water source that can become contaminated. While public water is required to meet certain regulatory standards, old pipes, filtration systems, and humidifiers can become contaminated and end up getting you sick. Getting routine water sample tests will help avoid these unknowns and protect your family’s health against possible toxic exposure. 

2. Well Water Isn’t Regulated Like City Water

Private well owners are entirely responsible for their well water management. The first step toward identifying problems associated with your well water is to perform a water sample test.

The EPA recommends well owners test their water at least once a year or more frequently if:

• You’ve had recent flooding or construction near your well
• You notice a change in taste, odor, or color
• A household member develops unexplained health issues
  

Sampling your well water is essential for catching bacteria, nitrates, and other naturally occurring or human-made contaminants early.

3. Aging Plumbing Can Introduce Contaminants

On the other hand, even if your city’s water system is modern and well-maintained, your home’s internal plumbing might not be. Homes built before the 1980s often contain lead pipes, solder, or fixtures that can leach lead and heavy metals into your drinking water. 

Lead is particularly dangerous for young children, infants, and pregnant women, and it often enters your water after treatment during its journey through aging pipes.

Remember that not all public water is maintained to the same standards, nor does it come from the same sources. Some water may be more acidic than others, which can accelerate the degradation of your pipes and water filtration systems.

4. Detect Hidden Chemical Contamination

If you are generally worried about your health and water quality, then a water sample test may be helpful in identifying many common chemicals found in public water, including:

• Pesticides and herbicides
• Industrial solvents
• PFAS (“forever chemicals”)
• Radon gas in groundwater
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
  

These contaminants can enter water supplies from agricultural runoff, manufacturing facilities, or household chemicals, impacting well water and public water systems alike. 

Long-term exposure to these chemicals can be harmful, and the only way to detect them is through periodic testing.

5. Protect Your Appliances and Plumbing

Beyond electricity and gas, water is by far the most ubiquitous and important resource used in homes today. In addition to drinking water, your water is also used for bathing, washing dishes, and washing clothes. 

Therefore, poor water quality doesn’t just affect your health — it also impacts your plumbing system, fixtures, and appliances. 

For example, high mineral content (commonly known as “hard water”) can cause limescale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and washing machines and reduce the lifespan of these appliances. 

Water sample tests provide a detailed overview of your water’s mineral content so that you can adjust your filtration system to protect your plumbing and appliances. 

6. Test Before Buying or Selling a Home

If you’re buying a new home, especially one with a private well, a water test should be part of your inspection process. 

Not only is a water sample test essential for your health and safety, but it can also point to possible issues with your septic system and plumbing that will require future repairs. 

7. Gain Peace of Mind

While many people would prefer to avoid another expense in today’s economy, water sample testing is quick and affordable and can save you lots of money on future repairs or health issues over time.

Most importantly, it can help answer a lot of unknowns when it comes to your drinking water and health. If you are suffering from unexplained medical ailments, then a water sample test can be an important step to fixing any unknown issues.

When Should You Test Your Water?

If you have private well water, we recommend testing your water at least every one to two years to ensure that there are no changes to the water content due to runoff or effluents. 

For individuals with public drinking water, this can be done at a longer interval, like every two to five years. 

With that said, you should consider testing your water if:

• You’re buying or selling a property.
• You rely on a private well.
• You live in an older home.
• You notice changes in water taste, color, or smell.
• You’ve recently completed plumbing repairs.
• You live near farms, factories, or known contamination sites.
• You’re pregnant, have young children, or have a compromised immune system.
  

For municipal water, review your local water utility’s annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), but remember: that report covers the water as it leaves the treatment plant — not after it’s traveled through miles of pipes to your home.

For full-spectrum water results in Northeast Pennsylvania, contact the experts at Mountain to Valley Home Inspections for your water sample testing.

FAQs

Why is water quality important?

Water quality directly impacts your health, home, and overall well-being. Contaminated water can carry harmful bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals that may cause both short-term illnesses and long-term health issues. Beyond health, poor water quality can also damage plumbing systems, stain fixtures, reduce appliance lifespans, and affect the taste and smell of your drinking water. Testing ensures you’re aware of any risks and can take action to protect your household.

How often should I test my drinking water?

If you use a private well, the EPA recommends testing at least once a year for bacteria, nitrates, and other common contaminants. If you’re on city water, review your local water utility’s annual report, but you may still want to test your home’s water if you notice changes in taste, smell, or color — or if you live in an older home with aging pipes.

What should I do if my water test results show contamination?

Solutions depend on the type of contaminant. In many cases, installing a certified filtration system, repairing plumbing, disinfecting your well, or using bottled water for drinking and cooking can solve the problem. If contamination is severe, consult with a water treatment professional or local health department for guidance.