After electrical systems suffer from years of general wear and tear, they can be a serious threat to you, your family, and your home. To ensure that an electrical fire does not occur, you need to pay very close attention to the electrical wiring in your home—something most people don't give a second thought to. Keep reading to learn three of the most common signs that are indicative of your home needing to be rewired.
Your Home Is at Least 40 Years Old
If you live in a house that is 40 years old or more and you have yet to update the electrical wiring in the house, then it is time that you strongly consider doing so. Older wiring in a home is far more prone to electrocution and fire hazards as a result of unsafe installation methods. In addition, older electrical wiring was made with rubber protective coatings, which tend to wear away over a period of time and leave the actual wire exposed. Wiring today is coated with PVC, which is far less susceptible to deterioration. If your home is older or you are unsure what type of wiring is in your home, consult with an electrician sooner rather than later.
Your Lights Are Flickering
When the lights in your home are dimming or flickering, you may think that you have a damaged light bulb. However, more often than not, the problem that you are dealing with is actually faulty electrical wiring. The problem may also be one of your major household appliances being plugged into the same exact circuit breaker. If you notice that your lights are dimming or flickering constantly, you should contact a professional electrician for an inspection and likely rewiring of your electrical system.
You Are Hearing Buzzing Noises
When you plug a household appliance into a wall outlet and then immediately hear a loud humming or buzzing noise coming directly from the outlet, there is definitely a problem. The buzzing sound may be the result of currents jumping from fraying electrical wires. If this is something that is occurring in your home, the best solution is often to have your electrical system rewired by an electrician.
Household electrical systems are not something that you want to mess with, since they can pose such a serious risk. Therefore, if any of the aforementioned applies to you, it is very important that you schedule an appointment with a residential electrical contractor from your local area as soon as possible to have your home's electrical system checked out before trouble arises.
For any questions you might have about rewiring your home, contact a residential electrician.