6 Reasons To Consider Calling an Electrician

If your home was built over 20 years ago, there's a good chance it may not be up to speed with the latest electrical safety and convenience features. Here are a few things to consider. 

1. Frequently tripping breakers. This indicates that circuits are drawing more current than they can safely provide. It can also mean a dangerous electrical fault on one or more circuits.

 2. Fading or flickering lights. Does running appliances like an air conditioner or dryer cause the lights to dim or flicker? 220 amp appliances draw a lot of current and should be wired on dedicated circuits. If smaller appliances such as microwaves are causing problems, consider adding a 20-amp line to service for them. 

3. Overloaded outlets. If power-strips and plug-in addons are tangling up your outlets, your electrical system is likely working beyond its intended capacity. Adding circuits with duplex receptacles can restore neatness and safety. 

4. Not enough outlets. If your home looks has extension wires running under rugs and furniture, your increasing the risk of an electrical fire and accidents.  Consider adding more outlets. 

5. Get grounded. Many older homes have outlets without three-prong grounded plugs. This is a bigger problem than not being able to plug in an appliance - it could indicate that your electrical wiring system is not fully grounded, and could be a safety problem.  

6. Water hazards. Wet locations such as kitchens, baths and laundry rooms require outlets protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters GFCIs. Adding GFCIs will make your home code-compliant-and safer. If you already have GFCIs be sure to test them regularly using the reset buttons.

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