13 Signs You Need Professional Home Electrical Rewiring

Are you wondering whether your home needs electrical rewiring? Sometimes, electric problems in your home don’t require a major overhaul of your entire electrical system. However, if your home was built before the 1980s, it may need a complete rewiring. Read on to find out the common signs that show your home needs electrical rewiring in Forney, TX, and the surrounding areas.

Signs of Overloaded Circuits

One of the biggest signs that your home may need an electrical rewiring is if your circuits are overloaded. The first signs of this can include flickering lights while doing activities that put strain on the circuit such as running a vacuum or hair dryer. It can also bring up the breaker system, meaning your outlets will cease to work and may need to be reset.

Other signs of an overloaded circuit can include a much higher-than-average energy bill, damaged outlet covers, and warm-to-the-touch outlets. If you are experiencing these issues, it could be time to call an experienced electrician for a professional rewiring of your home.

Excessively Hot Outlets and Switches

Have you noticed a sudden rise in temperature around your outlets and switches? This could be a sign of a bigger issue and is typically an indicator that wires in your walls are outdated and can't properly support the amount of electricity running through them.

If you check your outlets and switches and discover anything that feels overly warm, fails to work, or shows discoloration, it may be time to have your home rewired. You should also check the panels to differentiate these signs from any problems with a circuit breaker.

Burned Out Light Bulbs

It may seem strange, but light bulbs burning out faster than usual could indicate a potential problem with your home wiring. If your bulbs are going out faster than normal, this could mean that a high current is running through the wiring, which can not only damage your electrical system but can also be dangerous.

For your own safety, you should have a professional electrician inspect any wiring that has been affected by regularly burning out bulbs. They can then determine if a rewiring needs to be done in order to keep your home safe.

Diminished Lights

If your lights seem to dim at random intervals, you may need to rewire them. This can also be the case if you notice any sparking near the lights. In either case, this could be a serious indicator of larger problems with your electrical wiring, some of which can even lead to an electrical fire.

If your lights are continually dimming, it is best to play it safe and call an experienced electrician to assess the situation and determine if a rewiring of your home is necessary.

Annoying Humming or Buzzing Sounds

Do you hear a humming or buzzing sound coming from your electrical outlets? This is usually a sign that you need to have your wiring inspected by a professional. The sound may indicate a problem with the internal wiring or with the association between the wall and the outlet.

A buzzing noise from your outlets can mean problems with your electrical system that could cause potential damage or safety issues. If you are hearing any sort of humming or buzzing noises from your home wiring, you may need to rewire it for safety reasons.

Noise When Plugging In Devices

Plugging something into an outlet should never make noise. If you are experiencing this, it could signal an issue with your wiring, such as poor connections. This can be especially evident with plug-in transformers, although outlets in general should not make noise when plugged in.

Not only is this an annoyance, but it can also lead to weakened connections and fraying of wiring. If this is the case, it is best to have the issue checked by a professional electrician and safely rewired to ensure that no one is put in danger.

Loose Outlets

Outlets that are loose or hanging from the walls could indicate a wiring problem. If there is no stability to an outlet, it could mean that the wires themselves are loose or there is a larger problem with the electrical current that is running through the outlet.

This type of issue can not only be the cause of flickering lights and shocks, but it can also be dangerous, given the fact that wiring that is not secure could easily spark or cause fires. Therefore, you should have a professional come in to inspect the outlet and any potential wiring repairs or rewirings that may be necessary.

Confusing Wiring Icons

Can you decipher the icon on the outlet? Do you know what each color on the wall indicates? If not, then it may be time for a rewiring. Wiring that is overly confusing can not only be a danger to you but also to anyone else in your home who may not understand the wiring.

Confusing wiring markings can also indicate an outdated system or an older wiring system that has been improperly updated. Therefore, it is best to have a professional electrician come in to inspect and rewire any outlets that may be confusing or outdated.

Insufficient Amount Of Outlets

Are you struggling to have enough outlets to power all of your electronics? This is typically caused by homeowners attempting a DIY outlet addition and not correctly understanding the power needs of their electronics or correctly connecting the wiring.

Adding extra outlets without correctly wiring them can be extremely dangerous. This is why it is best to call a professional electrician and have them safely rewire any areas of your home that may need extra outlets.

Odd Smells Coming From Outlets

Do not ignore any strange smells coming from your outlets. This could be an indication that your wiring is either damaged or too outdated for the electronic items you are trying to plug in. Pay attention to any musty smells— a common indication of a potential electrical fire— or burning smells, which can come from short or other issues in your wiring.

If you smell anything strange coming from an outlet, it may be best to have it looked at. A professional electrician can determine if you need to rewire your home for extra protection.

Flickering Lights

Do you notice your lights flickering on and off at random intervals? This is normally an issue with a circuit breaker, but it could also signal a bigger issue with your wiring. While the issue might resolve itself after turning off a certain outlet or breaker that has overloaded, it can also indicate a problem with your wiring that needs professional rewiring.

It is recommended that you contact an experienced electrician and have them look at the outlet which has been flickering. This way, you can know for sure that your home is safe and your wiring is not causing any issues.

Difficult to Flip Switches

Are your switches hard to turn on? Are they stuck in a certain position, or do they take a lot of energy to move from one position to another? This is often a sign of wiring that is overburdening the switch. A switch should move swiftly and easily: if it isn’t, it can be a sign of a problem that needs an electrical rewiring.

However, you should be cautious when handling switches, as it is best to not touch them if you notice the switch is warmer than normal. Contact an experienced electrician to come in and assess the problem and determine whether a rewiring of the home would be necessary.

Sparks Around Outlets

This is perhaps one of the clearest signs that you need professional electrical rewiring. Sparks coming from outlets can be extremely dangerous and can indicate a larger problem with how the outlet or wiring is set up. You should immediately turn off the power to the outlet and contact a professional electrician who can locate the issue and safely rewire the outlet.

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