It’s said that the average Australian homeowner may find it hard to know the different signs that their home needs rewiring.
As a homeowner, not paying attention to your house’s wiring may put the safety of your property and family at risk. Any deteriorated and outdated wiring won’t only cause electrical faults yet may become a fire hazard too. It can even pose an electrocution risk if there are problems with the structure. It’s recommended that you stay vigilant at all times.
To be on the safe side, call a professional electrician Quakers Hill in New South Wales or other electrical service providers near your area for an at home wiring inspection. Remember: home rewiring isn’t a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. It often requires the skills of licensed and highly experienced electricians.
Want to find out what signs should you look out for? Some of them are mentioned below.
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Flickering Lights
Lights may dim or flicker when the bulbs aren’t appropriately connected or require a replacement. But flickering lights can be serious in other cases, mainly if it’s due to faulty wiring.
Over time, wiring may deteriorate with time and cause some issues with your lighting, particularly with outdated electrical systems (e.g. knob-and-tube wiring and aluminium wiring). Both of these can be fire hazards.
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Burning Wire Smells
If you often encounter burning wire smells in your house, it might be due to your electrical wires. Faulty wiring and loose connections may cause your wires to short, creating sparks that may singe outlets, walls, and wires.
If you don’t see visible signs of burning, the issue might be lurking behind the walls. Upon noticing burned wire smells at home, call a professional electrician to address the problem immediately. Electricians may often suggest rewiring, primarily if the issue is found to be severe, to ensure your dwelling’s safety.
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Outlet Problems
When you see discoloured switches and outlets, they can be a sign of loose connections or an indication that your home requires rewiring. These may cause electrical sparks and a burning smell.
Once you experience outlet problems, the first thing to do is to turn off the main power switch of your property and reach out to an electrician. Further issues with outlets can be dangerous and require the help of electricians to replace or repair the outlets.
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Persistent Tripping Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is made to trip as a safety measure. This safety feature prevents overheating by turning off the power supply if your electrical system overloads. The circuit breaker usually trips when circuits exceed the amperage they can handle.
A circuit that frequently trips might indicate a problem with particular appliances. But breakers that trip often indicate a serious electrical issue, which may require a wiring upgrade. Sometimes, electricians may suggest replacing the electrical panel that you have.
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Ageing House
Your home’s old age is another sign it needs rewiring. If your home is built in the 70s or 80s and still has its original wiring, you should have it rewired as soon as possible.
Older electrical installation typically lacks circuit breakers. Without these safety features set up, you won’t have an added layer of protection to your electrical wirings and units. Further, old wires and electric lines can be already worn down and damaged due to old age as well as continued use.
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You Use Too Many Extension Cords
You’ll need additional power sockets when you add and use more appliances to your home. In this case, the most common solution for homeowners is to use an extension. While there’s nothing wrong with using extension cords, having too many of these can be a sign that your home needs rewiring.
Once a socket becomes overloaded by using extension cords, it may result in uneven electricity distribution that lead to power fluctuations. To prevent this, contact an electrician near you to rewire your home and lessen the use of extension cords.
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Buzzing Noises
If your switches or outlets make unusual noises, it can indicate an electrical problem. Over time, sockets wear and move out of place. Once it happens, other wires might be left exposed, creating buzzing noises or unusual sounds.
To solve this problem, upgrade your home’s electrical wiring. Home rewiring can remove exposed wires, minimizing possible electrical issues in the future.
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Electrical Shocks
Electrical shocks are something you should never ignore. Any electrical shock, minor or major, is a serious warning sign. If you frequently experience an electrical shock when you plug your appliances into the sockets, you should call an electrician to address the issue.
Electricians can upgrade your electrical sockets depending on the issue’s root cause. They may recommend rewiring your house if that doesn’t resolve the problem.
Conclusion
Knowing the signs your home’s wiring needs an upgrade can make a difference in safeguarding your family from potential electric shock and fire hazards. If you notice any of those signs, hire the best electrician to rewire your house properly. When done correctly, rewiring your home can increase your home’s safety, providing you peace of mind and convenience.
