Common Home Wiring Problems

If your home has outdated or improperly installed electrical wiring, it could be putting you at risk. Find out if your home is suffering from these common home wiring problems and learn how to restore your electrical systems with the help of a professional electrician today.

Overloaded Circuit

One of the most common issues in a home is an overloaded circuit. This is particularly common in older homes. In the past, your home’s largest electrical load came from lamps and ceiling lights. Now, TVs, electronic devices and large appliances require far more power. This is particularly true in your kitchen. Microwaves, hot pots, blenders, coffee makers and a wide range of other appliances can draw far more power than you realize.

A common sign of an overloaded circuit is a circuit breaker that continues to trip. Your circuit breakers are only designed for a specific load. If your breaker trips, you may need to add additional breakers to split up your outlets or invest in a breaker with a higher amperage capacity.

Missing GFCI Outlets

A critical safety feature in your kitchen and bathroom is GFCI outlets. Your home wiring can be especially dangerous in these rooms because of the presence of water. Water and electricity create an unsafe situation that can easily lead to electrocution. Thankfully, homes are required to use GFCI, or ground-fault-circuit-interrupter outlets in any area that may be exposed to water.

Check to see if your home has GFCI outlets in these rooms. These outlets include Test and Reset buttons, which you should use to periodically check the outlet. If the test feature doesn’t immediately turn off power to the outlet, you should immediately contact an electrician to replace it.

For more information about common home wiring issues and for a complete inspection of your home, contact a local electrician. Don’t let these simple issues increase the risk of electrocution or fire in your home.