Neglected Electrical System? How to Tell and What to Do

Has your electrical system been neglected? This could happen if, for example, your budget has been too tight for proper maintenance lately or if your home was previously a foreclosure before you bought it.

Discover some tips on how to identify neglected electrical systems and components and what to do to get things back in safe, proper working order.

How to Tell If Your Electrical System Is Neglected

Your system may give you some hints if it hasn't been cared for in a while. Some components of the system may start to misbehave. Discover some signs your electrical system may need maintenance, repairs, or upgrades due to neglect.

Your Electrical Bills Are High

A worn or neglected electrical system is typically not very efficient. Components such as the AC unit and other appliances may use more electricity than usual if your system hasn't been cared for recently. Some examples include:

• Wiring faults can cause electricity to be lost from the system and wasted like a leak
• Appliances that haven't seen service may work harder and use more power to perform their tasks
• Electrical systems that aren't maintained may not have the most recent, energy-efficient components

These and other issues can cause your electrical bills to cost more than they should if you haven't cared for your electrical system lately.

You See Electrical Components Wearing Out

Sometimes, a component such as the outlets you plug devices into can start to fail in an obvious way. For example, a GFCI outlet that has worn out may keep tripping and shutting off the power to your device or appliance, even without a short circuit that would normally cause it to trip.

You Have No Records of Recent Inspections

One big tip that your system hasn't been cared for is if you haven't heard of any recent inspections or maintenance and don't have any records of it in your logs. This can be an important tip if you recently bought the house and can't simply rely on your memory of whether you've recently inspected the system.

Your Electrical System Acts Suspicious

Electrical components that aren't in great shape anymore may start to act oddly. For instance, flickering lights can indicate a bad connection. If your flickering lights have started to get worse, that can be due to a bad connection that hasn't been repaired, which could cause a risk of electrical fire.

What to Do If Your System Is Neglected

When you realize your electrical system hasn't been properly cared for, you may wonder what the next step is. Use the following tips.

Stop Using Unsafe Components

Faulty electrical components can cause shocks or even fires in some cases. So if you notice part of your electrical system malfunctioning or wearing out, stop using that component until a professional can assess it. Use the circuit breaker box to turn off power to the area.

Find a Reputable Electrician and Schedule a Visit

Ask friends and family in your area for a recommendation of a good, reliable electrician. You can also use online reviews to help you sort through local electricians for the ones with the best reputation. Once you've found a good electrical contractor, get in touch to schedule a visit.

Perform Upgrades and Repairs

An electrical system that hasn't been cared for lately will likely have some components that require repair or replacement. The amount of repairs and replacements you'll need may depend on the extent of the neglect and damage.

Schedule Ongoing Maintenance

You can prevent damage from neglect in the future by making sure you properly care for your electrical system. To keep it up-to-date and in great shape on an ongoing basis, you'll need to schedule regular maintenance. Your electrician may recommend regularly scheduled inspections or maintenance visits, for example.

These tips can help you identify an electrical system that needs help and get your electrical system the help it needs before anything disastrous happens. For more information and professional advice, get in touch with a local electrical contractor such as Beckstoffer-Welsh Inc. today.