Unless the house was created pretty recently, it has a high probability that its electrical system will require some repair or upgrade as soon as possible. Fresh electrical codes by the Charleston Electrician are going to make the houses safer, and this is essential to keep up with the electrical transformations. And in the presence of the accelerating technology at one ever-faster speed, the requirement for power grows each day.
Older houses are specifically hard-pressed to adapt to the electrical demands of modern age. The signs are noticeable however are sometimes ignored or overlooked.
Rust is slowly taking over.
If you begin to notice rust or moisture on or under your home’s main service panel, it’s a sign that something’s going wrong. Deterioration at the panel threatens the main wiring connections within and could indicate similar problems throughout your electrical system.
It’s not safe to go near the water.
Wet locations such as kitchens, baths, and utility rooms, as well as grounded areas like your basement or garage, now require outlets protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters or GFCIs. The easy retrofit installation will make your home code-compliant and safe. If GFCIs have already been installed near sinks and dishwashers, test their reset buttons to be sure they’re working properly.
You get a warm, tingly feeling all over.
Are outlets, switches or other electrical- system surfaces warm to the touch? Do you see any blackening nearby on the switchplate or wall, switch terminals, or wire ends? Does a switch or outlet give a mild shock? The problem could simply be too much demand on the circuit, or something far more complicated and dangerous. If your home was built or wired during the period from 1965 to 1975, it may even have aluminum wiring. If it does, have it checked regularly.
The old standards just don’t apply.
When you remove an outlet or switch cover, do you find bits of black rubber in the box? Are the wires covered in cloth instead of plastic? If you have an older home and the answer is yes, it means the insulation on the wires is antiquated and dangerously deficient for today’s electrical needs.
Three into two won’t go.
Many older homes have outlets that won’t accept three-prong grounded plugs. This is a bigger problem than not being able to plug in the microwave oven-it could indicate that your electrical wiring system is not fully grounded, and you’re not completely safe.
Rug bumps mess up the carpet.
If your living room looks like a snake farm with wires running under the rugs and furniture, a dangerous condition exists, and you need more outlets. If some of those wires are extension cords, the outlets you have are too far apart. Both signs usually indicate that additional outlets are required throughout the house.
To sum it up
If your home is more than 25 years old, and you’ve never upgraded your electrical service by Aptus Home Services then there’s an octopus at many outlets. If plug-strips and multi-receptacle addons are strangling your outlets, your electrical system is working beyond capacity. Additional circuits with duplex receptacles are needed to restore order- and safety. Call us for further details!
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