Electrical Hazards You Didn’t Know Were Hiding in Your Home

One of the greatest comforts in modern life is electricity. It lights up your lamps, powers appliances, drives heating and cooling systems, and enables entertainment systems. But it’s also one of the most dangerous features in your home unless it’s handled appropriately. Homeowners generally assume all’s good if all seems to work in the right direction; however, this’s hardly ever the case. Hidden behind walls, in outlets, or while going about your daily routine, there are subtle electrical dangers waiting to viscosity.

Awareness in advance of these dangers can make all the difference in contacting a decent St Louis electrician before a tragedy arises. At Bates Electric, a top St Louis electrical contractor, the professionals have witnessed how minor matters get out of hand and become severe safety issues. What follow here are a few among the popular electrical dangers you may have no idea exist within your house—and what you could do about them. 

1. Old or Damaged Wiring

Most homes in St. Louis have been constructed years back, and although the building may still be strong, its electrical wiring within it could also be inadequate in terms of contemporary protection. With age, the insulation in the wiring could break down, connections could come loose, and circuits could get overloaded with higher power consumption.

Outdated electrical, including aluminum or knob-and-tube systems, also presents high fire dangers and should be upgraded right away. In the event that you have flickering lights, breakers tripping too frequently, or burning odors from the outlet, it’s high time you schedule a professional Electrician St Louis MO to inspect your electrical system. Specializing in examining and upgrading old systems, Bates Electric ensures that the wiring in your home will safely accommodate appliances and electrical devices of today.

2. Overloaded Power Strips and Extension Cords

We’ve all done it—inserted several devices into a single outlet using extension cord or power strip. Convenient, yes, it will, however, quickly over-load the circuit if you have high-wattage appliances such as space heaters or microwaves.

Power strips are temporary solutions, not permanent ones. Overheating, electrical short circuiting, and even fire may occur from overloading them. In the case that you always find yourself short on outlets, you may have additional outlets or dedicated circuits added by a professional St Louis electrician in order to safely have room to meet your home’s electrical demands.

3. Hidden Water and Electricity Interactions

Combining water and electricity is dangerous. An average homeowner probably doesn’t think about how water gets into an electrical system, especially from bathrooms, leaking in a basement, or increased humidity coming from switches and outlets.

Ground Fault Circuit Interruption (GFCI) receptacles will help reduce the risk of a person receiving a shock in or around water sources, such as rest rooms, kitchens, and outside. But GFCI protection might be missing in older homes. A St Louis electrician such as Bates Electric will install GFCI receptacles in your homes to ensure that you and your family members get protection from possible electrical shocks and electrocutions.

4. Damaged Switches and Outlets

These symptoms go unnoticed easily in comparison to a switch that’s warm to the touch or a loose outlet, both of which indicate danger. Loose contacts in the outlet could cause arcing, tiny sparks that produce heat and have the potential to set surrounding materials on fire. In the same vein, discoloration, buzzing, or clicking sounds on turning on a switch indicate internal damage.

Do not ever disregard these small indications. Contact Electrician St Louis MO today to install new or repair defective switches and outlets. At Bates Electric, our experts will assess if the problem is localized or if it’s part of a bigger electrical issue in your wiring.

5. DIY Electrical Repairs

Because of the myriad of tutorials on the internet, most residents presume that they can try to fix electrical problems in a do-it-yourself approach. It is important to note that DIY electrical fixmg, without the knowledge, can be very dangerous. Just one tiny mistake such as wiring the wrong type of wires or forgetting to ground a circuit can result in electrocution, a fire or astronomical amounts of damage to property.

Knowing a reliable St Louis electrician assures your repairs and installations will be performed to code, safe and performed correctly. Bates Electric employee a group of skilled technicians whom have the education and tools to fix electrical problems of all shapes and sizes, from minor repair issues to complete rewires throughout the home.

6. Old or Damaged Circuit Breakers

Your breakers are the center of your home’s electrical system and prevent it from overheating under overloads. However, like any other part, breakers also have a tendency to corrode with time. In case you realize that your breakers constantly trip, will not reset, or have that humming sound, it may indicate that they have started failing.

A broken breaker may let too much electricity flow into your system, and this may lead to electrical fires. A seasoned St Louis electrical contractor may determine if you require a new breaker or an entire panel replacement. Bates Electric provides quality electrical panel repair to keep your system running safely and efficiently.

7. Neglected Outdoor Electrical Systems

Lighting, receptacles, and wiring outside of the building are usually exposed to harsh weather. Over time water, rust, and weathering can wear away the insulation around the wiring allowing for a live electrical circuit to be exposed. This presents a great danger of electrical shock or fire, especially during snow or rain.

Regular Electrician St Louis MO check-ups make it possible to spot any outdoor electrical issues and have them addressed before developing into a risk. Bates Electric can provide weather-proof covers for your circuit boxes, replace faulty wire and help you make sure your outside circuits are working and within all safety standards.

Protecting Your Home before It is Too Late

The reality is that there are several hazards regarding electrical issues that may not be evident until they become a serious hazard. Regular maintenance and inspections are a necessary aspect of protecting your home. Knowing you are in the hands of a qualified professional to inspect your electrical system like St Louis Electric can give you peace of mind.

Whether you need an examination, rewiring, a change of outlets, or a full electrical renovation, Bates Electric provides trustworthy, qualified and safety orientated service in St Louis and the surrounding areas. Their fully trained professionals take it upon themselves that all projects meet local electrical code and industry regulations.

Don’t let a spark, burn, or smell remind you of the dangers that lurk in your home. Do it now—go to https://bates-electric.com to arrange an inspection or servicing with a reliable St Louis electrical contractor.

Final Thought

Safety comes with knowledge. Most of the dangers go unnoticed until it’s too late—but with the assistance of a seasoned Electrician St Louis MO, you can identify them and eliminate them before they harm your home or ones you love. Stay proactive, stay safe, and let Bates Electric make sure that the flow of electricity in your home goes smooth and safe.