Electricity is essential, but electrical problems can be more than just an inconvenience. They can pose serious safety risks. While some issues are easy to fix, working with electricity always carries potential dangers. If you are unsure or suspect a major electrical problem, contact licensed professionals like Ellington to keep your home safe and up to code.
1. Flickering Lights
Possible Causes:
Flickering lights are often due to:
- Loose or faulty light bulbs
- Poor electrical connections
- Overloaded circuits
- Voltage fluctuations from the power grid
How to Identify:
- If one light flickers, try replacing the bulb or checking the fixture
- If multiple lights flicker, especially when a large appliance turns on, you may have a wiring or circuit overload issue
DIY or Professional Help?
Loose bulbs can be tightened or replaced as an easy home electrical repair, but if the issue persists, call a professional. If ignored, faulty wiring and overloaded circuits can lead to electrical fires.
2. Frequently Tripped Circuit Breakers
Possible Causes:
A circuit breaker trips when too much electricity flows through a circuit, causing it to shut off as a safety measure. This can happen due to:
- Overloaded circuits (too many high-powered devices on one circuit)
- Short circuits (wires touching where they shouldn’t)
- Ground faults (current leaking to the ground)
- Faulty appliances drawing excess power
How to Identify:
If your breaker frequently trips, especially when using certain appliances, you likely have an overloaded circuit. If it trips immediately after resetting, there may be a short or ground fault.
DIY or Professional Help?
If it’s simply an overloaded circuit, redistributing your appliances can help. However, if you suspect a short circuit or ground fault, it’s best to call a trusted electrician in Rockledge. Professional inspection can identify whether your home’s wiring or electrical panel needs an upgrade.
3. Warm Outlets or Light Switches
Possible Causes:
- Outlets and switches should never feel warm to the touch. If they do, it may be due to:
Overloaded circuits
Faulty wiring connections
Aging electrical components
Loose or worn-out outlets and switches
How to Identify:
- Touch outlets and switches periodically. If they feel warm, unplug any devices and monitor for changes.
- Call an electrician immediately if you notice burn marks, a burning smell, or sparks.
DIY or Professional Help?
If an outlet is warm due to a high-wattage device (such as a space heater), use a lower-power option or plug it into a different circuit. If warmth persists without an apparent cause, this household electrical problem needs an electrician.
4. Frequent Electrical Surges or Dips
Possible Causes:
Electrical surges (spikes in voltage) and dips (temporary voltage drops) can be caused by:
- Lightning strikes
- Faulty appliances
- Poor wiring
- Issues with the utility grid
How to Identify:
- Lights or appliances may briefly dim or flicker
- Electronics may unexpectedly power off or reset
- You may hear buzzing from electrical outlets or see sparks
DIY or Professional Help?
Unplugging suspect appliances can help identify the source, but frequent surges indicate a bigger problem. A professional can check your home’s wiring and recommend whole-home surge protection.
5. Aluminum Wiring
Possible Causes:
Homes built in the 1960s and 70s often used aluminum wiring, which expands and contracts more than copper wiring, leading to loose connections. Over time, this can cause:
- Overheating
- Arcing (electric sparks jumping between wires)
- Increased fire risks
How to Identify:
- Homes built between 1965 and 1975 should be inspected for aluminum wiring
- Flickering lights, warm outlets, or frequently tripped breakers could indicate deteriorating wiring
DIY or Professional Help?
Aluminum wiring is a serious hazard and should only be handled by a professional. An electrician can replace aluminum wiring or install copper connectors to reduce fire risk.
Additional Electrical Issues in the home to Watch For
Beyond these common problems, homeowners should be on the lookout for other potential hazards, including:
- 6. Dead outlets: If an outlet stops working, it may be a tripped breaker, a loose wire, or a deeper issue.
- 7. Burning smells from outlets or switches: This could indicate an impending electrical fire. Turn off the power and call an electrician immediately.
- 8. Rodent-damaged wiring: Mice and other pests can chew on electrical wires, leading to shorts and fire risks.
- 9. Buzzing noises from outlets or panels: Unusual sounds like a buzzing circuit breaker or a buzzing outlet could indicate loose connections or faulty wiring.
Entrust Electrical Issues to the Rockledge Pros at Ellington
Electrical issues aren’t just inconvenient. They’re dangerous. Left unchecked, they can lead to fires, shocks, or costly damage.
Some minor problems can be fixed on your own, but safety should always come first when it comes to wiring. If you notice:
- Frequent power disruptions
- Overheating outlets or switches
- Flickering lights or buzzing sounds
- A burning smell near electrical panels
Don’t wait. These are signs of serious electrical issues in the home.
At Ellington, our licensed electricians provide expert repair and inspection services across the Space Coast. Whether it’s a quick fix or a full home rewiring, we’ll make sure your system is safe, efficient, and up to code.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and keep your home powered safely.
