Simple Residential Electrical Maintenance

Residential Electrical Maintenance: What You Need to Know

Owning a home is not only a big part of the American dream; homes are also the largest financial investment most Americans make. With so much on the line, it is in a homeowner’s best interest to ensure the most from their home asset by maintaining its building systems—HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. But admittedly, home maintenance is not a very exciting subject.

What should one do to maintain the residential electrical system? Here are a few recommendations.

Do-It-Yourself Residential Electrical Maintenance Tasks

• Recognize potential problems and be proactive. If a particular circuit breaker trips repeatedly, it indicates a problem that needs to be fixed. Do not neglect the indicator.
• Be aware of damage to faceplates and outlets. A cracked faceplate might not seem remarkable, but the cause of the damage might indicate a problem. If the location leads to bumps over time, damage to the switch or outlet might lead to a fire hazard. A lateral pull on a cord to unplug can weaken the outlet and damage the cord prongs.
• Inspect cords for damage. Make sure that cords are kept out of foot traffic patterns to avoid tripping hazards and damage to the cord. Replace or repair damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords are both a shock and fire hazard.
• Properly maintain appliances. The number one cause of residential fires remains cooking/stove hazards. Keep the oven and stove top clean, uncluttered, and well-maintained. Clean the coils of the refrigerator and freezer. Keep the dryer hose clean. Reducing fire risks from electrical appliances helps to maintain the entire home.
• Be aware of potentially overloaded circuits. If the lights blink when a major appliance functions, it may indicate an overload on that circuit.

Indicators Calling for Professional Residential Electrician Help

• The flow of electricity is normally silent, only audible when the current is very high. Any noise stemming from an electrical current—usually a buzzing noise—indicates a problem that needs to be addressed.
• The flow of electricity should only create excess heat in appliances designed to get hot—a range, clothes dryer, or hair dryer are examples. Wires and faceplates for switches or outlets should not be hot. The wall that covers residential wiring should not be hot. These are indicators of an overheated circuit and must be addressed immediately.
• If the wiring gets hot, it may produce the smell of burnt plastic, rubber, or other materials. This is not normal and needs to be addressed immediately.
• Water damage can compromise the electrical system, even when the water has dried. Do not recharge circuits in areas that have experienced water damage before an electrician has examined and repaired the damage.
• If a lightning strike happens close to the home, the home’s electrical system and appliances might have suffered damage. Be cautious and call an electrician when you first notice trouble.
• If lights blink or dim when a device such as the oven engages, it usually indicates the circuit is overloaded. Such appliances should have a dedicated circuit; other outlets and lights should be moved to another designated circuit.
• If a circuit breaker trips frequently, it may indicate a weakness in the breaker; the breaker needs to be replaced. It may also indicate an overloaded circuit that needs to be examined by an electrician; moving some of the current to a new circuit may be needed.

Adding new high-voltage devices to a home, such as a whole-home generator, may increase the current load to exceed the limits of the electrical service panel. Such changes may require an upgrade to the service panel to accommodate the increased current load.

Power Up Your Knowledge: Essential Residential Electrical Maintenance

Homeowners can perform basic residential electrical maintenance tasks like inspecting cords and outlets and being aware of overloaded circuits. However, signs like buzzing noises, burning smells, or frequently tripping breakers indicate serious issues. When facing these problems, call in a professional electrician from AirPro Houston.

With our four decades of experience as a Houston Electrical Repair Contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the knowledge of Electrical Repair safety in your home and addresses any residential electrical repair issues that homeowners may encounter. Call our team of Electricians at 281-880-8805.