The electrical wiring in our homes, much like any other aspect of our houses, needs to be regularly checked, inspected and taken care of, with electrical home rewiring often a necessity for older homes with less rigorously tested electrical systems.
As with any other aspect of our home, the wiring can sometimes degrade over time, but whilst the dangers of electricity are well known, spotting the telltale signs that your home’s electrical supply has become dangerous is easier to miss than the onset of damp or damage to a roof.
With that in mind, here are some telltale signs that your home may need rewiring.
- Sparking Sockets
Whilst sparks are a classic sign of a range of potential electrical problems, because of the relatively safe nature of sockets, it can sometimes be difficult to see the bright rush that comes from an electrical spark.
However, if you ever feel an electric shock when plugging an appliance in, that is a warning sign that you need to contact an electrician and is almost always a problem with the socket itself rather than the appliance.
- Burning Smells
Burning is a common consequence of an electrical fault and is typically found on the appliance side. However, if you cannot easily find the source of the burning smell, that could be a sign that there is a problem with the wiring somewhere inside your walls.
This can be a very big problem as this electrical burning could potentially escalate into a full-blown electrical fire, so turn off the power at the switch box and contact an electrician as soon as possible.
- Bulbs Frequently Burning Out
This is less of an issue with energy-saving light bulbs (although they can also burn out), but if you frequently notice light bulbs that burn out, it is worth getting in touch with your electrician to see if an electrical fault is causing this, as opposed to a loose connection or another simple fix.
