When addressing home maintenance issues, an electrician does not need to be on your annual list of items, but you will need one to perform inspections at least every 3 to 5 years. However, there are times when you need an electrician much sooner for emergencies.
A few critical reasons to call an electrician immediately are after a power outage and when you see trees getting entangled with the power lines outside your home.
Problems outside your home aren’t the only time to call an electrician.
Here are three critical emergencies within your house that you’ll need to call an electrician immediately.
Burn Smells
One of the most important reasons you’ll need to call an electrician right away is if you smell something burning, particularly if the odor seems electrical. Otherwise, you’ll need to contact the fire department if this smell lingers.
Frayed Wires
Some electrical burning odors may be traced back to frayed wires. This usually happens when wires come out of their casing but still send electrical currents through the wires.
Unfortunately, these sparks shooting through the wires could cause a house fire or even electrocute someone. If the smell comes from frayed wires on an appliance or an electronic that you can visibly see is defective, you can simply stop using the product to avoid catastrophe. However, in most cases, frayed wiring may occur behind walls, and only a skilled electrician with the proper tools can detect it.
Appliance Problems
Occasionally, the appliances in your house may give off an electrical odor, particularly your dryer or furnace. In most instances, these odors may be associated with general use. However, if the odor is strong and lingering, there may be something wrong with the electrical components.
You may be able to call out a technician from the company that manufactures your appliance or a handyman who services appliances. However, to be safe, it may be best to start with an electrician’s inspection, just in case the electrical problem isn’t solely related to your appliance.
AFCI and GCFI Defects
Have you ever noticed an electrical outlet, particularly in your bathroom, that has extra buttons on it in the center? Sometimes, these buttons may be the same color as the outlet, or they can be black and red. You’re looking at either an AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) outlet or a GCFI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet. If you’ve ever plugged in a hair dryer or some other electrical item into one of these sockets, a GCFI outlet may shut the item off if it senses an electrical leak. This will prevent electrical shock from occurring.
An ACFI outlet will prevent a neutral wire and a hotwire from jumping between each other, causing an arc that could result in an electrical fire. This usually happens when a nail hammered into a wall nicks the electrical wiring, potentially creating a situation where arcing may occur behind the wall that could lead to a house fire.
Outlets like these are installed in areas with lots of moisture, such as the bathroom, as a safety mechanism to avoid electrical shock. You may also see them in kitchens, crawl spaces, basements, and laundry rooms. These outlets cut off the current flow if it comes in contact with water.
However, if these outlets aren’t working correctly, this could put someone at risk for electrocution. If these outlets aren’t working correctly, you should call out an electrician immediately to fix this problem. Not doing so could put you and your family at risk.
Improper Meter
While an improper meter may not be as dangerous as these other emergencies, it can still be devastating. The eminent danger may not be a potential fire, but unnecessary money draining out of your pockets leading to high energy bills. This may be caused by an old faulty meter that needs replacing or communication errors from your home to the utility company. In either instance, you will need an electrician to come out immediately to rectify this issue to ensure you’re being charged the correct amount each month.
Wayne’s Best Electrical Contractors and Services
Call Bratcher Electric today to schedule an appointment if you need us to address any of these issues. Our electricians value your safety and have been providing excellence in electrical services to homes and businesses for more than 60 years. Let us know how we can help, visit us online today!