The Most Common Electrical Issues

Electricity is a dangerous but necessary utility in our lives. We use it to power our lights, major appliances, and everything in between. 

Even though an electrical system is too complex for the average homeowner to understand, to a seasoned home inspector it’s no mystery. Your Divinity inspector has the tools, experience, and knowledge to inspect your home for electrical issues and potentially save lives in the process.

According to the ESFI, every year, over 50,000 electrical fires start in homes, killing hundreds and injuring far more. Even when everyone gets out safely, the damages of those fires become a heavy burden to bear, exceeding well over a billion dollars.  

We want to reduce that number, one home at a time. So today, we are discussing the most common electrical issues that may be hidden in your home right now. These problems should be addressed as soon as possible to protect you and your family from the risk of an electrical fire. 

Electrical Panels

A lot can go wrong with an electrical panel. Your Divinity inspector will examine the electric panel for age, errors, and damage such as signs of water or rust.  

In general, your box should be replaced every 20 years or so to prevent them from becoming faulty due to old age. Not only will an inspector examine the box closely, but they will also check what kind of panel you have. 

Panel Brand

Chances are, you don’t know what brand your electrical panel is. You may have never thought to check, but your inspector will. There are certain brands that have been flagged for being defective, causing electric shock, fire, and property damage. 

Among the dangerous brands are:

• ITE
• Zinsco
• Bulldog Pushmatic
• Sylvania
• Federal Pacific

Fuse Boxes

You may remember blowing a fuse in your home. With a flashlight in hand, you would need to find the right fuse and replace it in order to restore your power. 

Well, if your home still has fuses, it’s time to replace your electrical panel!

Today’s electrical panels have circuit breakers. Not only can you save money on fuses, but it’s safer. Circuit breakers respond faster and have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) that cuts off the power. 

Ungrounded Outlets 

Speaking of GFCI, it’s also required in all rooms where water is present. With the presence of ground fault circuit interrupters, the risk of shock and burns is greatly reduced, especially when moisture is to blame. 

GFCI outlets should be used on the exterior of the property as well as the:

• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Laundry Room
• Garage

Outdated Wiring

Electricity systems have come a long way in the past 70 years. Unfortunately, most houses still have the original electricity they were built with. Since most residential properties were built in the 20th century, the odds are high that your electrical system is outdated. 

Let’s take a look at two of the most common culprits. 

Knob and Tube

This is a single copper wire that passes through porcelain tubes in the framing and is attached by knobs. These may have worked efficiently for homes before large appliances and advanced technology became commonplace in Florida’s homes, but today they are inadequate and pose a severe fire risk.

Aluminum

After 1965 for a little less than a decade, copper wiring was replaced by aluminum. This proved to be a horrible idea because aluminum overheats. Any aluminum wiring should be replaced immediately.

Home Health Checkups and Home Inspection Services in Tampa Bay and St. Pete

If you suspect that your home may have electrical issues, hire Divinity Inspection Services to give your home a Maintenance Inspection or Home Health Checkup.

Don’t gamble with lives. Pinpoint the issues in your home and protect yourself and your family from disaster. When you catch damage or mistakes early, you can avoid tragedy and thousands of dollars in repairs. 

All it takes is an arcing current or misplaced wire to set a house ablaze. Make the right choice. Schedule a visit from a Divinity inspector today!