6 Signs That You Need An Emergency Electrician | Wilmington, NC
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If you are like most people, you rely greatly on your Wilmington, NC home’s electrical system. Without electricity, there is very little that you can do in the home. You rely on your electrical system to run your appliances, to turn your lights on when it gets dark, and to watch TV and power your devices. If there is a problem with your electrical system, it should not be taken lightly. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, there are over 50,000 house fires every year that were caused by an electrical malfunction. The damage from these fires accounts for around $1.3 billion of property damage. Because a poorly functioning electrical system can cause such devastation, it is essential that you are able to recognize the signs that it is time to call an emergency electrician.
#1 Blowing Fuses or Tripping Circuits Frequently
It is not uncommon for a fuse to blow or a circuit to trip if you are trying to run too many appliances on one fuse or circuit. The electrical box was designed this way to prevent an overload, which can cause an electrical fire. If you notice that you are blowing fuses frequently or tripping circuits often, you should call an emergency electrician. If you are overloading the electrical system, an electrician may need to replace the electrical box with one that can handle more electricity. If you aren’t overloading the system and you are still having problems, there could be an electrical issue within the electrical box. This is something that should be repaired immediately to prevent an electrical fire.
#2 Sparks
You should never see sparks coming from an appliance, a light switch, or an outlet. There are times when you touch something and feel a gentle zap, which isn’t uncommon. However, if you see sparks coming from anywhere, you should call an electrician right away. There could be residual electricity stored in the appliance or outlet, which is a fire hazard. The problem could lie within the electrical system itself, which is more serious.
If you are seeing sparks coming from appliances or outlets, you should first stop using the appliance or outlet that is causing the problem and call an emergency electrician. If multiple outlets or appliances are sparking, you should turn off the main power breaker until an electrician can get to your home and inspect your electrical system.
#3 Rust or Moisture Around an Electrical Outlet
If you see any signs of moisture or water damage around an electrical outlet in your Wilmington, NC home, you should call an emergency electrician immediately. Everyone knows that water and electricity don’t mix. If there is water somehow getting this close to your electrical system, it is very dangerous. The best way to prevent you or a member of your family from being electrocuted is to turn off the power to the entire room where you noticed the moisture or water damage. Next, contact a licensed plumber. They will be able to safely track the source of the water so that the necessary repairs can be made.
#4 A Buzzing Sound Coming From the Walls
If you hear a low-level buzzing coming from behind your walls, the chances that it is a bee’s nest are slim to none. The problem likely lies within your electrical system. The buzzing is likely due to a short in one of the wires behind the wall, which can cause an electrical fire capable of destroying your entire home if left ignored. When you call an emergency electrician, they will come to your home to inspect your entire electrical system. When they have found the short in the wire that is causing the buzzing, they can make the necessary repairs.
#5 A Hot Switch Plate
If you go to turn on a light or plug something into an outlet and the switch plate is warm to the touch, you should call an emergency electrician immediately. Anytime you feel heat around any electrical outlet, it is a significant cause for concern. There is probably a short in the wiring that is causing sparks, which is heating up the outlets or the switch plate. If you allow the problem to persist, it can result in a destructive electrical fire.
#6 Flickering Lights
If you turn on a major appliance like your washing machine or dishwasher and the lights dim or flicker, you should call an emergency electrician right away. If the appliance requires more power than the circuit can handle, it will cause the lights to dim and flicker, which is a fire hazard. If the circuit becomes too overloaded, it can start to spark, causing an electrical fire. It is best to call an emergency electrician the very first time the lights flicker or dim.
Electrical repairs are very complicated, and they can be very dangerous. If you have any electrical problems in your home, you should never attempt a do-it-yourself repair. Not only will this put you at risk of electrocution, but if the job isn’t done correctly, you could start an electrical fire in your home. If you are having any electrical problems, contact Mister Sparky of Wilmington. The owner of the company has been in the electrical business since 2004 and has been running Mister Sparky since 2010. We won the Angie’s List Super Service Award three years in a row in 2014, 2015, and 2016. It is honors like this one that prove that we are the best in the business.
When you call for an emergency electrician, we will get someone out to your home as quickly as possible. We understand that electrical emergencies are very serious and dangerous and will do our best to get the problem resolved right away. We provide other electrical services as well, including electrical system installation and inspection and rewiring services. To schedule an appointment for emergency or non-emergent electrical service, give us at Mister Sparky of Wilmington a call today.