Servicing the Chicagoland Area & Suburbs | Emergency 24/7 Service
Call Today! 888-903-4070
Menu
Contact Us

The Importance of Electrical Outlet Maintenance

One of the primary causes of electrical fires and electrocutions in the home are faulty outlets. Outlets can present a danger for a number of reasons, including:

  1. Old, Ungrounded Outlets. In older homes it’s not uncommon to still find ungrounded outlets, or outlets that have old wiring with connections. Old outlets should be replaced with new, grounded outlets to reduce the risk of fire and electrocution.
  2. Worn Out Outlets. Over time outlets can become worn out from use, especially if cords are not unplugged properly (always unplug from the grip at the end of the plug, never yank on the cord). When inserting a plug into an outlet it should feel snug, not overly tight or loose.
  3. Improperly Installed or Damaged Outlets. Improperly wired receptacles can be dangerous and are a common cause of home electrical fires. Wiring should always be performed by a licensed electrician. If an outlet cover is cracked or feels warm to the touch, have the receptacle inspected by an electrician.
  4. Outlets That Are Not Childproof. If there are young children in the home, don’t rely on plastic outlet covers, they can easily be removed by a curious toddler. Have tamper resistant receptacles (TRR) installed. They will deactivate the outlet when a foreign object is inserted.
  5. Outlets in wet locations that do not have GFCIs. Outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and outdoors should be equipped with a ground fault interrupter (GFI) to prevent electrical shock if exposed to water. Test the GFI by pressing the “test” button located on the outlet, it should deactivate the outlet immediately.

By inspecting your outlets for any of the conditions above you can protect your home and family from the risk of accidental electrocution or fire. If you need help, ABC is here to answer all your electrical questions.

Read What Your
Neighbors Are Saying About ABC
  • “Tom was awesome! He is very personable and explains the whole process well. He did a great job and ensured that he used 5-star service throughout the process. I will definitely use ABC and Tom again in the future for electrical work.”

  • “Bill showed up on time to repair our broken air conditioner. ABC kept in touch throughout the day to let me know time he would be arriving too. Bill was professional, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. We wound up signing up for monthly care package because Bill and ABC really made…”

  • “We were very pleased with the service performed by Brett Pack in performing the annual maintenance of our air conditioning unit. He noted it was low on refrigerant, which he then added after consulting with us. He also made sure we took advantage of all available discounts.”

  • “Tom did a super job fixing our electrical problem. He is one of the best electricians I have ever had in my home for repair work. I would highly recommend Tom and ABC Company if you need any type of electrical work. He took his time and explained everything and…”

  • “I am so impressed with Chris and ABC Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, Cooling and Electric. His friendliness honest approach to his Job is remarkable. Thanks Chris for making my day and believing that they are still great honorable people out there.”

  • “Our AC was not working in the 90-degree summer heat. Josh identified that power was not going to the furnace blower. He identified that power was not going to the furnace breaker. His keen eye spotted that the wire leading into the breaker had frayed. He cut out the frayed…”

Read more

Our Guarantees

  • satisfaction guaranteed
  • customer service guarantee
  • "no surprises" guarantee
  • no-nonsense parts & labor warranty
  • See More +

Our AC Guarantees

  • equipment size guarantee
  • lifetime installation materials warranty
  • AC "level for life" warranty
  • the exclusive "no-lemon" guarantee
  • See More +
Our Promises to You
  • Convenient for You!

    We work on your
    schedule.

    Schedule today
  • Background Checks!

    We do drug tests and background
    checks before hiring.

    Learn More
  • No Need for Stress!

    Get ABC's worry-free guarantee
    at no cost.

    Get Started
  • No Surprises!

    Pricing is by the job, not
    the hour.

    Contact Us