Electricians: Ignite a Spark and Learn About Electricy

How an Electrical Upgrade Can Improve the Value – and the Safety – of Your Home

5 August 2017

Byron Holmes

There are many upgrades that homeowners can do to their houses, but few will have the lasting impact or safety benefits of a top to bottom electrical upgrade. Many homes have hidden electrical damage—from overloaded and potentially dangerous electrical panels to power plugs that badly need to be replaced. Ignoring those problems could put your home and your family at risk. Addressing those issues with a comprehensive electrical upgrade is the best way to protect your home and family from the threat of fire. At the same time, that electrical upgrade could boost the resale value of your property and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Does Your Home Need an Electrical Upgrade?

When your home was first built, the property should have undergone a comprehensive electrical safety inspection. During that inspection, a certified electrician would have gone over everything in the house, including the plugs in the walls, the fans around the home and the electrical panels in the basement or garage. The inspection may also include such things as attic fans, ceiling fans and built-in electrical appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens.

That thorough inspection is designed to meet local safety laws, but it also gives the buyer the reassurance that the home is safe for the buyer and his or her family. The problem is that things can go wrong after that initial inspection, and that could put you and your family at risk.

Look for Signs of Trouble Before They Can Spark a Fire

For instance, the mounts that hold the attic fans in place can loosen over time, leading to problems like exposed wiring and dangling plugs. If those issues are not addressed they can create a real fire hazard. Taking a few minutes each month to check your attic fans for damage is one of the best ways to prevent an electrical fire. If you have ever had a problem with mice, it is a good idea to check the wiring and plugs around your home. Mice and other rodents love to chew, and they can quickly strip the wires in your home of their protective insulation. That exposed wiring can, in turn, create a significant fire hazard and even lead to the total loss of the property. Having an experienced electrician look at the wiring is the best way to protect yourself.

It is also a good idea to inspect the electrical panels in your home on a regular basis, especially if you have added a number of appliances to the property since you first moved in. An overloaded electrical panel can spark a power loss or even a fire. That is why it is so important for all homeowners to have their electrical panels inspected by a certified electrician.

Homeowners have no shortage of things to worry about, from repainting the exterior of the property to replacing a missing fence post in the front yard. With so many things to think about, it is all too easy to overlook the importance of checking your electrical panels, plugs and attic fans. Even so, you need to be aware of the threats posed by electrical problems, and having your electrical system inspected and upgraded is a good place to start.

Contact a local residential electrician for more information and assistance. 

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