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- Outdated electrical wiring, such as knock-and-tube wiring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If left unchecked, damaged wiring, short circuits, and even outdated wiring could lead to: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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.