by While purchasing an old house has its own benefits, it has its own problems as well. One big one? Electrical issues. Oh, those lovely houses with wooden floors and corners you just want to curl up in might have some electrical issues that are not very convenient.
These homes can have some electrical surprises in store, ranging from old wiring circuits that are overloaded, to mention but a few. It’s like finding a skeleton in the closet, but instead of bones, it is the bad wiring. With the help of the best electrical services in Barrie, your home’s electrical problems will be solved quickly.
Here are some of the most typical electrical issues that may occur in those classic houses.
Contents
1. Circuit breaker issues
Circuit breakers are the superheroes of your home’s electrical system, but like everyone else, they can get overworked. Old houses have old electrical panels, and these panels may not be able to accommodate all the modern appliances we enjoy.
It is like having a traffic signal for the electric services circuit in your home, that is, the circuit breaker panel. If there are too many cars (or appliances) that attempt to use the same road (or circuit) at one time, the traffic cop simply throws a switch to bring the party to a halt. That is your circuit breaker tripping. If this is the case all the time, then it could be because you have many appliances connected to outlets or there is a deeper issue with your electrical system.
2. Old wiring
Old wiring is like an old car: it is old, it has been around for a long time, and it can hardly be considered to be in good shape.
Older homes are simply wired for power and current consumption that is not efficient enough to meet today’s needs. Let us compare the wiring of your home to a system of very old and very thin pipes that convey water. Now, try to visualize how it is possible to force much more water through these pipes than it was initially intended to go through. That is more or less what happens when you connect a number of today’s appliances to wiring that is decades old.
This leads to overloaded circuits, sparks, and even fires in some of the worst cases. It may seem fine on the outside, but those cables could be harbouring all sorts of issues from the past. That is why one should consider getting an electrical inspection of their home to avoid such inconveniences as flickering lights or non-functioning outlets.
3. Non-functioning outlets
There is nothing as irritating as pushing something in, only to realize that the socket is dead. This is a prevalent problem in most of the old houses that were built some years back. It’s like attempting to put water in a glass, but the tap is damaged and cannot dispense water.
This outlet rebellion could be due to a few reasons. Perhaps the issue is with the wiring, or maybe one of the breakers has gone off. Or there can be as simple a problem as a loose connection. However, it is often wise to call an electrician to come and check what is wrong and sort out the problem. You do not want to be shocked or further endanger yourself and the space by making more sparks.
4. Blinking lights
Fluorescent lights are very irritating when they start to flicker. It is so boring, yet frustrating to watch, like a horror movie that does not even try to scare you. In old houses, flickering lights could be an indication of a more serious issue with electricity.
Those blinks could be a result of loose wiring, too many appliances connected to a single circuit, or a problematic switch. Well, it might be preferable to turn a blind eye to it, but one should not do so. If you see that the lights are blinking frequently, this is another sign that you need to find an electrician if coupled with other electrical problems.
5. Inadequate Grounding
Grounding can be explained as an electrical safety measure. It is there to shield you from the electric supplies shock. Older homes do not have proper grounding and this is a very dangerous thing. Let us give you an analogy, electricity is like having a playful puppy. But if it is not leashed (grounded) it becomes a problem child and mischievous.
A home that has a bad grounding system can result in spoiled appliances and sometimes fires. The problem might not be apparent to you, but it is hiding within the walls. That is why it is important to have the electrical system of a home checked by a professional electrician. They can help diagnose grounding problems and suggest ways so that you and your family can be protected.
6. Overloaded Circuits
Think of the electrical system of your home as a road with heavy traffic. Traffic jam (overload) occurs when there are too many cars (appliances) on the road (circuit). This is exactly what happens when you overload a socket with many items; it is bound to cause a short circuit. Old houses especially have very old wiring systems that cannot support the loads of the current and advanced electrical appliances.
Circuits that are overloaded are a major fire risk. When much current passes through the wires, they heat up, and the insulation melts. This can lead to sparks and, in the worst case, a fire. The accumulation of dust can also create a fire hazard. To avoid this, do not overload an outlet, and if you are always tripping breakers, then you need to have your electrical panel upgraded. Have electrical services in Barrie if your home’s circuit gets overloaded.
7. Electrical Panel Issues
Your electrical panel is the command center of your home’s power. It is where all the power comes in and is then split into various sections of your home. Old houses have old electrical systems that can be a cause of concern due to their inability to meet today’s consumption rates.
Think of your electrical panel as the kitchen for your home. It should be large enough to accommodate all the cooking and baking that you do. If your kitchen is too small, then you are going to have a cramped working area, which is not good. The same goes for the electrical panel of your house, the office, or whatever building you are in. If it is old and overburdened it can lead to issues such as tripping of breakers, dim or intermittent lighting, or even electrical fires. Replacing an electrical panel is a large investment but it is one that will pay itself off by increasing the safety and efficiency of your home.
8. Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Knob-and-tube wiring is like a rusty skeleton that has been concealed in the walls of your house. It’s an old electrical system that was applied in the construction of homes before the 1940s. Such wiring is very dangerous and poses a great threat to life.
Think of the electrical cables with the outer cover stripped off and the wires exposed as they pass through the walls of your home. That is, in a nutshell, what knob-and-tube wiring is. If there is no grounded system, then it is like playing the game of electrical roulette. Periodically, the insulation can wear out and crack and thus pose a threat to sparking fires and electric supply shocks. If you have any reason to believe your home contains knob-and-tube wiring, you should have a professional electrician come to your house to take a look.
9. Aluminum Wiring
Aluminum wiring was used in most of the homes constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. What appeared to be a perfect plan initially was actually a plan for an electrical disaster. Unlike copper, aluminum wires change their cross-sectional area when they get hot or cold. This can lead to loose connections, which is a fire risk.
These connections can be quite loose and may in time develop some degree of heat and cause the covering of the wire to melt. This is a rather severe issue that can result in electrical fires. If you think that your home has aluminum wiring, it is recommended to get it checked by a professional electrician. They can make diagnosis and advise on the right steps to be taken, which could be to change the aluminum wiring with copper.
10. Insufficient Outlets
Older homes were not designed to accommodate modern lifestyles characterized by the use of technology. Perhaps you will notice that there are many plugs and sockets, and you may have to look for where to connect all your gadgets. It is like attempting to put a lot of people onto a bus such that they are squeezed, and it becomes inconvenient for everyone.
In your pocket, on your table, every device you use, be it your phone charger, laptop, etc., requires power. However, with few outlets available, you might be forced to use extension cords and this is very dangerous. You could also end up unplugging one thing in order to plug in another. It is a problem that is typical for developed countries, but it is an irritating one nonetheless. More outlets can be installed to solve a problem, but it is recommended that one hires an electrician to do it safely.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it – a summary of some of the most frequent electrical issues that can be present in an older house. It may be a little confusing but do not worry. Knowing these possible problems can assist you in protecting yourself.
Remember, if you have any doubts regarding any electrical issues in your home, do not wait to seek the services of a electrical services in Barrie. Prevention is better than cure. It is always worth it to spend a little bit of money in making sure that electrical safety is well taken to avoid a lot of trouble and at times, loss of life.
Your home should be a safe haven not a house of electrical concerns. This way, the professionals will handle the frightening aspects of the process while you focus on your home.
