When it comes to DIY home improvement projects, the most common questions we hear are: “What’s the most common electrical problem?” and “What’s the best way to fix it?” When to hire an electrical repair and installation technician?
Well, we’re here to answer those questions! Because in this article, we’ll give you a list of the most common electrical problems that DIYers encounter when doing home improvement projects on their own. And then, we’ll give you some great solutions for how to fix them.
So whether you’re just starting out with your first rewiring project or looking for tips on adding lighting fixtures to your bathroom, this article has got you covered.
27 Pro Tips on Electrical Issues
While some electrical problems should always be handled by a licensed electrician in Pasadena, MD, there are certain common home electrical issues and how to fix them on your own. Here are 27 common electrical problems along with potential solutions:
Circuit breaker tripping
If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it could be because you have too much current running through the circuit. Adding more breakers or moving your appliances to another circuit is the solution.
Blown fuses
If your fuse keeps blowing, it might be because you have too much load on that circuit. The solution is to add a bigger fuse or to use a breaker instead of fuses. Blown fuses are also a sign of faulty electric wiring.
Outlet not working
This is a pretty common electrical issues in home, and it’s usually caused by a loose or damaged wire. The easiest way to fix this is simply to tighten the screw on the outlet’s faceplate. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to unscrew the outlet, reattach the wires and then screw it back into place. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, call an electrician!
Light bulbs frequently burn out
If your light bulbs keep burning out before they should, it could be because they’re getting too much voltage. If you have a dimmer switch or one of those fancy LED lights with built-in dimmers, try turning down the setting so that there isn’t so much power going through them. If you don’t have these kinds of lights but still want to turn down the amount of electricity being used—or if you just want to save money—you can replace your current light bulbs with ones that use less wattage (most are labeled on their packaging). That way, you don’t have to worry about your lights burning out prematurely!
Flickering lights
If you’re seeing flickering lights, either your lightbulbs are going bad, or the wiring in your home is faulty. You can replace the bulbs, but if it’s a problem with the wiring, you’ll need to call an electrician in Pasadena, MD.
Dimming lights when appliances turn on
If you have dimming lights when appliances turn on, this is typically a sign of an overloaded circuit in your fuse box. You can fix this by adding an additional breaker or replacing existing ones with high-capacity breakers.
Electric shocks
You know you’re in for a rough day when your entire body feels like it’s been hit with a Taser.
While you may have no control over the weather, you can definitely control how you handle an electrical shock. The best way to avoid getting shocked is to ensure your electrical cords are properly grounded, and your outlets are properly wired. If you’re not sure about any of this, call a Pasadena, MD, electrician.
Hot switches or outlets
If your switch or outlet feels warm or hot when you touch it, there’s a good chance you have an electrical problem. To make sure this doesn’t become dangerous, turn off the power at the circuit breaker panel before attempting to fix anything yourself. Then use a multimeter to test the wires and ensure they aren’t damaged or improperly connected somewhere along the line.
Buzzing sounds from outlets or switches
It is normal for switches and outlets to make buzzing sounds when they are turned on or off. However, if the buzzing continues even after the switch has been turned off, it means there is something wrong with your circuit breaker or fuse box. To fix this problem, check your circuit breaker and replace any blown fuses as needed.
Overheating electrical panels
Overheating electrical panels is usually caused by poor air circulation around them. To prevent this from happening again in the future, install plastic covers over your electrical panels or install fans that will circulate air around them properly.
Faulty light switches
It could be a faulty switch if your lights aren’t turning on. To fix this, you’ll need to remove the cover plate for the switch and replace the switch inside. If you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself, you can hire a residential electrician in Pasadena, MD, to do it for you.
The outdoor lights are not working.
If your outdoor lights aren’t working, check their fuses first. If they’re still not working after replacing the fuse, call an electrician to fix the problem.
Loose electrical outlets.
This can be caused by several things, including a loose wire or outlet plate screw, but it’s usually the result of an improperly installed outlet plate. Turn off the power at the breaker box and remove the outlet plate screws to fix it. If you notice any wires sticking out of the back of the box, use pliers to wrap each wire around its own screw terminal before tightening them down. Next, push in on the outlet with your fingers to make sure it stays flush with the wall, then reinstall your outlet plate screws.
The GFCI outlet keeps tripping.
If your GFCI outlet keeps tripping off when nothing isn’t anything plugged into it, then there may be something wrong with the breaker or the circuit box itself. If this happens repeatedly, it could mean that your wiring has an electrical problem or that you need to replace the GFCI itself—it may have gone bad after years of use.
If neither of these situations applies to you, try resetting your breaker switch or resetting your GFCI by pressing its reset button (if it has one). If these don’t work either, call an electrician for further assistance!
Noisy exhaust fans
When you turn on your exhaust fan, it sounds like a helicopter is about to land on your roof. The most common cause of noisy exhaust fans is a buildup of dust, dirt, and other particles in the fan’s bearings. To fix this problem, simply remove the exhaust fan and clean the bearings with a vacuum cleaner or compressed air. If that doesn’t work, you may have to replace the bearings altogether, which can be costly.
Nonfunctional smoke detectors
Your smoke detectors are going off without reason, scaring everyone in your house. How do you stop them? To fix it, you first need to check all of your smoke detectors for proper placement and battery power. If they’re properly installed and have fresh batteries but are still going off at random times, there will be an electrical problem with the wiring in your house or even a short circuit somewhere in your home (such as a faulty outlet). This will require an electrician’s help if you don’t know how to handle electrical issues yourself!
Constantly running bathroom fans.
If your bathroom fan is constantly running, the problem is usually with the fan’s wiring or a switch. The easiest way to fix this problem is by replacing the switch. To do this, turn off the circuit breaker for your bathroom fan and pull down the switch lever. If it doesn’t come out easily, use a pair of pliers to remove it. Once you’ve removed the old switch, install a new one in its place by screwing it into place with a wrench and turning on the circuit breaker again.
Inadequate power outlets
If you’re having trouble finding enough power outlets in your home, there are two things that you can do: either hire an electrician to add some outlets or buy some extension cords so that you have more options when plugging in appliances around your house.
Malfunctioning three-way switches
If your three-way switch isn’t working properly, it’s probably because one of the wires has come loose or the socket is faulty. To fix this issue, follow these steps:
- Remove the old switch by unscrewing it from its mounting box.
- Remove the screws that hold the wire nut onto the switch terminals (if present) and pull out any connected wires.
- Connect an insulated spade terminal to each of the wires coming out of your junction box, then connect those terminals to their corresponding screw terminals on the new switch using wire nuts (if present).
- Screw everything back together and test! If it works, put everything back into place as before and enjoy your fixed switch!
Malfunctioning Thermostat
If your thermostat is malfunctioning, it’s probably because it’s old. If this is the case, replacing it will solve your problem. The most important thing to remember when replacing your thermostat is to ensure it is compatible with your heating system. If you’re unsure if it will fit or work properly in your home, talk to someone who works in heating repair before purchasing one yourself!
Malfunctioning motion sensor lights
Motion sensor lights are great for deterring crime and providing added security for homeowners who want to keep their homes safe at night without having to pay for an expensive security system—but sometimes, these lights can malfunction and burn out prematurely! Fortunately, there are several things you can try before calling in a professional electrician:
– Check to see if any bulbs in your light fixture are burned out—this may be all it takes to restore functionality!
– Make sure there isn’t any dust or dirt clogging up the sensor lens; this will block its ability to detect motion.
If your motion sensor lights aren’t turning on when they should be, check to see if they have batteries installed or if their batteries are dead. If they have batteries installed, remove them and replace them with fresh ones before trying again. If they do not have batteries installed, install new ones and try again!
Continuously running appliances
If your appliances are constantly running, it could be because of a faulty thermostat or because there’s something wrong with your breaker box. This problem usually happens when there is too much demand for electricity on the circuit or if there isn’t enough voltage coming into your house. If this happens often enough, it can cause overheating issues and burnout. To fix this problem, flip off all of your breakers and then flip them back on one by one until you determine which breaker is causing the problem. Then replace that breaker with a new one from your local hardware store (or call an electrician).
Overheating
If you’ve got an electrical problem and are wondering how to fix it, you should first try turning off the power to the area of concern. Unplug it from the wall if it’s a small area (like a lamp or some other appliance). If it’s a larger area, like your entire house, turn off all your circuit breakers.
This will stop any more current from flowing through your system and hopefully prevent further damage. If this doesn’t work, a short in one of your wires may need to be replaced or repaired.
Electrical Surges
An electrical surge happens when a sudden change in voltage or current flows through an electrical circuit. These surges can damage appliances like televisions and computers, but they can also cause damage to your home wiring system and circuit breakers if left untreated long enough.
The best way to prevent electrical surges from occurring in your home is by installing surge protectors on all circuits throughout your house where possible (especially those with expensive electronics like computers). You can also place surge protectors on individual devices like televisions or gaming systems if those devices aren’t already equipped with their own built-in protection systems (which may not always be effective against larger surges). If you’re unsure whether or not a particular device has its own built-in protection system, then get advice from a reliable electrician near me.
High electric bill
If your electric bill is skyrocketing, it could be because of a few different things. First, check your thermostat and make sure it’s set to the right temperature. You may also have an appliance that’s not working properly in your home—a faulty light switch, a broken appliance, or even something as simple as an old-fashioned fuse box can cause issues with your energy bill. Finally, if you suspect there’s something wrong with your wiring system itself, consider hiring an expert who can come in and assess and give you an honest review of what’s going on before making any changes
Backstabbed wires
This is when one of your wires is bent or twisted in such a way that it intersects with another wire, causing a short circuit and possibly an electrical fire. The fix is simple: just untwist them! If they’re too far gone, you might need to remove the scissors and cut them off entirely.
Aluminum wiring
Aluminum wiring can cause problems when installing new lights or appliances because it uses lower voltage than copper wiring. It’s also harder for homeowners to work with because it’s more sensitive than copper wiring. But don’t worry—we’ve got an easy way for you to fix this problem without having to call an electrician in Pasadena, MD (and spend lots of money).
FAQs
What do I do after a home inspection on a house I bought that has major electrical issues?
If you’re lucky, your inspection will catch any major electrical problems before you buy the home. If it doesn’t, you can always contact the seller or realtor and ask them to cover the cost of repairs or replacements. But they might not be willing to do that. If they are, though, then you won’t have much to worry about!
How do I check my home for electrical arcs issues?
The best way to know how to check for electrical issues in your home if there are electrical arcs issues in your home is to hire an electrician in Pasadena, MD, to come out and estimate how much it will cost to fix them. Once they come out and see what needs to be done, they’ll let you know how much it will be going to cost so you can make a decision about whether or not it’s worth fixing those problems at all.
How do you know if you have electrical issues in your home?
There are several signs that can indicate the presence of electrical issues in your home. Keep an eye out for frequent power surges, circuit breakers that trip often, or fuses that blow frequently. Additionally, if you notice lights flickering, dimming unexpectedly, or going out, it could be a significant sign of electrical problems. Pay attention to warm outlets or switches, sparks when using them, or burning smells near electrical fixtures.
Does the home warranty cover electrical issues?
Yes, home warranties cover electrical issues. Whether they’re related to the electrical wiring in your home or just a faulty light switch, you can rest assured easily knowing that your home warranty will cover it.
Hire Professional for Residential Electrical Repairs in Glen Burnie!
Residential electrical repairs can be a nightmare. If you have an electrical problem in your home, it’s important to have it fixed quickly, correctly, and safely. You want to ensure that the person doing the repairs has been trained to handle your situation. You want to know that they are qualified to handle any potential electrical problems that may arise during the repair process.
The last thing you want is someone who might cause further damage while trying to fix your problem or leave something dangerous behind when they’re done!
It’s good news that a company in Glen Burnie, MD, can help you with all of these things: Magothy Electric Co Inc.
Magothy Electric Co. Inc. offers professional residential electrical repairs to guarantee that your house is 100% safe and secure. We have been providing reliable electrical services to homes and businesses in Glen Burnie for over 30 years. We’re here for you when you need us.
We offer a wide variety of electrical services to help you get the job done. The electrical services we offer include:
– Electrical repair, maintenance, and installation
– Emergency electrical services
– Receptacle replacement
– New breaker installation/replacement
– LED lighting installation/replacement
– Circuit breaker installation
– Electrical wiring and installation
– Electrical troubleshooting
– Electrical panel upgrades
– And many more…
Our team of highly trained, experienced, fully licensed, bonded, and insured electricians is ready to assist you with all your residential electrical repairs. We have worked on projects big and small: from installing new lighting fixtures to rewiring entire homes, we’ve done it all. We can also help you save money on your monthly utility bills by providing energy-efficient solutions that will reduce your usage and keep your home safe from any electrical issues that could occur.
If you have any electrical problems in your home, don’t wait any longer. Call Magothy Electric Co. Inc. today at (410) 220-6619!