Your house, like anything else, ages and wears out; which means that from time to time you’ll need to do some maintenance to keep it in great condition.
Everything in a house needs to be repaired or replaced at some point, and your house’s wires are no exception to this. Keeping your house’s wiring up to date is one of the most important aspects of maintenance you can do, since U.S Fire Administration shows that electrical malfunction is in the top 4 causes of residential fires.
Neglecting to rewire a house can be not only detrimental to your quality of life, but your safety as well. So how are you supposed to know whether or not your house is in need of some electrical work? Lucky for you, there are some tell tale signs that you can use to determine whether or not your house needs rewiring.
1. A Constant Burning Smell
If you smell a burning smell frequently that you’re unable to trace, it could very well be caused by electrical faults. Especially around your outlets, a burning smell is cause for concern, and should prompt you to hire a reliable electrician immediately.
2. Flickering Lights
If your flickering lights are a recurring problem for you, it could be a sign that there are problems with your wiring that should be dealt with. It might be loose wiring or an issue with your circuit panel.
3. Aluminum Wiring
A study from the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that homes built before 1972, and wired with aluminum are up to 55 percent more likely to have one or more wire connections at outlets that reach hazardous conditions. If your home has aluminum wiring, it is definitely a wise idea to hire a reliable electrician to replace it.
4. Shocks from Appliances
If you’re experiencing electrical shocks from outlets, appliances, or switches, you should look into rewiring your house immediately.
5. Your home is older than 40 years
Older homes are bound to have problems from time to time, and the longer you go without rewiring your home, the more likely there are to be problems with the electrics. The rule of thumb is that you should have your home rewired every 25 years, so if your home is older than 40, it’s a good idea to have it inspected.
While these are the popular ones, they are by no means the only signs; some other indicators of electrical problems include the following:
- Light bulbs that frequently burn out
- Frequent breaker trips
- Discolored outlets/switches
- Arcs and Sparks when plugging/unplugging a cord from an outlet
- Outlets that have become loose
- Exposed Wires
- Cut, broke, or cracked insulation
If you are having any of these problems in your home, it might be time to have your home rewired. Rewiring a home isn’t something that should be a DIY project, either, as rewiring your own home may lead to further problems down the road, which in turn may lead to needing another rewire, or – worst case – an electrical fire. A safer choice is to hire a reliable electrician, rather than taking the risk of a do-it-yourself job.