Schedule an electrical home inspection before you purchase a home.
Home inspections are vital when shopping for a home or planning a renovation. Inspections give you a clear picture of the condition of a house and problems that may affect the sale price or remodeling project size. While home inspectors generally look into different aspects of the property, it is often recommended to also get an electrical home inspection to pinpoint problems that may have been overlooked.
As the name suggests, a specialized electrical inspection focuses more on checking the integrity of electrical systems and wirings in place. Assessing these areas is especially important since problems related to them can lead to safety risks. With a qualified electrician to do the job, you can take immediate action by updating wirings or replacing circuit breakers to maintain safety at home.
When hiring a professional to conduct an electrical home inspection, here are some of the most common issues that usually arise during the check:
Service Panel Issues
Every home’s electrical service panel serves as the central source of electricity, so any problems related to it can easily compound to bigger concerns later on. Some issues may be observed in an inspection include loose or double-tapped circuit breakers, lack of the main disconnect switch, or an overall damaged panel.
Circuit breakers in older homes can be particularly faulty as they were not designed for the electrical needs of more advanced appliances. This may result in frequent tripping due to your breaker panels overloading from their inability to manage the amount of electricity flowing through.
Improperly Wired Switches
Perhaps one of the most common issues found in an electrical home inspection would be improperly wired switches. In most cases, this happens when a non-professional or poorly trained electrician does the wiring and mixes up the neutral and hot wire slots. When this happens, it causes an issue known as reverse polarity, which can cause potential shock hazards.
Aluminum Wiring
While it may not seem like an issue, aluminum wiring can be a cause of concern since aluminum is not as effective a conductor as copper. Overall, the metal can become defective quicker, so the longer it is used, the higher the risk of fire hazards. Due to this, many home insurance companies opt not to insure homes that are wired in aluminum.
Lack of GFCI Protection
GFCI, short for ground fault circuit interrupters, are required in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other places with moisture and where the outlet may come into contact with liquid. These outlets are safety standards set in building codes to minimize the risk of shocks and burns in any home. Given the number of people who go in and out of the affected areas, it must enforce stricter GFCI protection throughout your home.
Through a professional electrical home inspection, you can double-check to see if your home’s GFCI outlets are working properly, installed correctly, or need replacements to prevent bigger problems from arising.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Similar to the issue on aluminum wiring, knob and tube wiring is one of the older variants of electrical wiring used back in the early 1900s. While it is not inherently dangerous, it can be highly risky since it does not use a ground wire and thus cannot accommodate three-pronged electrical devices. Knob and tube wiring also uses rubber, as opposed to plastic, as an insulator, which can break down over time and cause issues like overheating and shock or fire risks.
Overuse of Extension Cords
Extension cords can be convenient to plug in multiple devices at a time, but you have to be careful not to get over-reliant on them. The national electric code requires that homeowners reduce the use of these extension cords since doing so can increase the likelihood of tripping hazards and other safety concerns. If a home is found to be using these extensively during an electrical inspection, it is likely a sign of having insufficient power outlets.
Schedule an Electrical Home Inspection Today With Pinellas County Electric
A thorough inspection from a professional electrician in Tarpon Springs can help you check what problems need to be addressed in a home. Whether you are remodeling your place or looking to purchase a home, you want to make sure your property is in its best condition.
Learn more about what Pinellas County Electric offers by calling us at 727-269-1982 to schedule an inspection. With over 150 years of combined experience in the industry, we can guarantee that our team can solve your electrical concerns.
