It’s another new year, which means it’s a perfect time to check up on your electrical systems for any potential issues and hazards. Today, we are going to discuss why electrical outlets need updating, and when you should seriously consider having this done.

Why you should update electrical outlets?

Much of the electrical system is found behind walls and ceilings, rendering them virtually invisible to people inside the home. When electrical malfunction strikes, you may find yourself scratching your head and wondering what the culprit is.

Perhaps the biggest reason why you should update electrical outlets is safety. When you replace old wires and outlets with brand new and industry-approved products, you minimize the risk of electricity-related hazards, such as fires and electrocution.

How do I know if my electrical outlets need an update?

The good thing is that you can look at telltale signs that your electrical outlets need to be updated. Do you experience any of these in your home? If so, it may be time for a visit from a professional electrician.

Frequent tripping of circuit breaker

When you observe that a circuit breaker trips frequently, it might be time for an update. The trip may be caused by power overload, when your wires and receptacles cannot handle the electricity requirement of your appliances.

Flickering of lights when turning on other appliances

This may look like a normal occurrence, but flickering or dimming of lights when you turn on another appliance could be a sign that you need an update. The fact that your lights are acting out may signify that your electrical system cannot handle your current load requirement

Age of the house

If you’re staying in a home that’s more than 30 years old, it’s highly unlikely for its electrical system to be up to date with the load requirement of today’s appliances. On top of this, the circuit breakers may have already become corroded or malfunctioned, and it may not trip in some cases

Plans to remodel or renovate the house

Most home remodeling projects involve an increase in space or a tech upgrade. In both cases, your electrical outlets and the entire system might not be able to handle the new home setup. We wrote about electrical issues that you could come across when remodeling your home last week, so be sure to reference this as well. It’s important to remember that you need to have your electrical system checked, in accordance with the house upgrade.

No matter how big or small the electrical issue is, you need to consult with professionals. This is to make sure that your electrical system is perfectly safe. Feel free to reach out to us at Wire Craft for a quick consult to start the new year. It’s time to consider to update electrical outlets.

Hiring an electrician can be tricky. You don’t want to bring a stranger into your home and trust him with your electrical problems without even knowing who this person is. Let’s be honest… It’s hard to trust people these days. And, even if you can trust him, how do you know that he is a reputable electrician and that he really knows what he’s doing?

Sometimes, you can’t trust someone just based upon advertisements. Many people have had issues with hiring someone to come into their homes, whether it’s an electrician, a plumber, a cable technician – anyone really. People hear something good on an advertisement, and they assume that it’s totally true. Unfortunately, this is how advertising works these days. Ads will say just about anything in order to get new business and entice you to pick up the phone and make an appointment.

If you are wondering how to hire an electrician that you can trust, look no further! We’ve got some tips for you that will simplify the process and will make you feel better about the person you hire.

Check credentials of the Professional Electrician

The electrician you hire should be licensed. You can find out if he or she is licensed just by asking to see the license, specifically. If he or she is hesitant about showing it to you, then that’s a huge red flag. You can find out about local license requirements in your area from the local building department or official. Being licensed as an electrician is crucial and you should never hire someone who isn’t. If you want someone to trust and you want someone who knows what they’re doing, then you want an electrician who is licensed.

Costs

Make sure the electrician’s rates aren’t too crazy. Electricians make good money, but don’t let them rip you off. Compare some costs before you decide on an electrician. There are probably a whole bunch of electricians in your area that you can look into before you hire anyone in particular. Don’t make hasty decisions – really look into who you’re hiring, and find out all about their costs before you decide.

References

It never hurts to get some references before you hire an electrician. Reference are essential for anyone who has their own business, and the electrician you are considering should have references ready for you when you ask. Asking for references isn’t a big deal and you shouldn’t feel bad about doing so. It’s essential for you to have references in order to make sure that the person you’re hiring is qualified for the job and has done great work in the past.

Insurance

An electrician should absolutely have liability insurance. This is something essential that a reliable electrician should have, so make sure that your electrician has this before you hire him.

Reputation

Ask around to see if people have any suggestions for good electricians. Reputation is everything. If someone close to you says that they have a good electrician, then make some calls. This is to find out if what she says is true. People don’t make up good things about electricians, so you know if an electrician has a good reputation, then he is actually a good one. Reviews can help you out seek for a professional electrician.

Warranty

For larger electrical jobs, you should definitely hire an electrician who offers a warranty with his services. This should be a professional electrician. Written document that obviously states the action that he will take. If anything goes wrong during the job he does for you, you have something in hand. Having a warranty is essential if you’re going to invest a lot of money into a professional electrician. They work they do for you will impact your home, and you don’t want anything to go wrong. In order to protect your home and yourself, it’s best to hire an electrician that will offer you a warranty.

There you have it! Follow these simple tips to hiring an electrician. Hiring an electrician might seem overwhelming, but don’t let it stress you out. You will absolutely find an electrician that you will feel comfortable with after doing a little research. Get to know what electricians are around in your area.

If you have any further questions, please contact us today and we will help you!

10 Reasons DIY Electrical Work is Dangerous

Many of us fall into the trap of watching home improvement shows on HGTV or the DIY Network and thinking that we have the skills to tackle our home improvement projects. While we may be able to handle some things, like painting or tearing out a wall (that’s an excellent way to blow off some steam, wouldn’t you agree?), there’s one part of your home that you should always call a professional for, and that would be for electrical work.

Trying to do DIY electrical work can be incredibly dangerous, and even have devastating consequences.

Instead of doing DIY Electrical tasks, we have rounded up Ten Reasons Why You Should Always Call a Professional Electrician when it comes to electrical work.

Fire

An overloaded circuit, faulty connections, the wrong gauge of wire used (and more) are all common DIY electrical mistakes that can lead to overheating, sparks, and worse: a house fire.

Electrocution

We can all recover from hitting our thumbs with a hammer, but working with electricity doesn’t always give you the same chance for recovery. Touching the wrong wires together or not making sure the current is off can have potentially fatal results.

Code Violations

Without a full understanding, your work might not meet code. If you are making improvements to put your house on the market, you might be facing big costs for repairing shoddy electrical work. It’s best just to start with a professional to avoid any costly mistakes from the get go.

Building Permits

Most communities require a building permit for significant electrical work. If you don’t obtain a building permit to ensure the work is done correctly, you could be putting you and your family at risk.

Expensive Repairs

Even if you manage to survive the process and not start a fire, if you don’t do the wiring properly, it can fail. You’ll be required to hire a professional anyway, so you might as well put your DIY money towards a professional at the beginning.

Ceiling Fan Disasters

Installing a ceiling fan might seem like a simple process, but if done incorrectly, you could have a fan come crashing down on you. It’s more common than you think.

Outdoor Outlet Danger

If you put an outlet outside, it needs a ground-fault interrupter button. That will trip the outlet if there’s any water. Many DIYers don’t know this, and this mistake can be destructive and dangerous.

Overestimating Skills

Even the seemingly simple task of changing an outlet or light switch can go wrong. A loose outlet means wires can move around, which can lead to arcing and overheating.

Improperly Labeled Breaker Box

If the current is off to a room because the lights are off, you could end up with an injury. If you start working on wires that are still live, that is more dangerous.

Putting in the Wrong Products

Unprofessionally doing DIY Electrical? For sure you might not be aware of the type of wires, outlets, or switches. Using the wrong product can cause big problems.

When it comes to your home’s electrical work, your best bet is to hire a professional the first time around. This can avoid any of these costly and dangerous mistakes. Do you have any stories of times you’ve tried to be the professional electrician? We’d love to hear them, so be sure to leave a comment.

For electrical work in the Seattle area, contact WireCraft Electric.

We will complete your job safely and correctly – we’re here to help.