8 Signs of Bad Wiring

1. Frequently tripped circuit breakers. Especially if you have an older home, it’s possible that your individual circuits are being overloaded with too many appliances and fixtures. Have a professional inspect the whole electrical system.
2. Flickering or dimming lights. There can be a lot of harmless reasons for flickering lights, such as a loose light bulb or an incompatible dimmer switch. Flickering and dimming can also mean bad wiring, like an overloaded circuit or a faulty electrical component.
3. Buzzing or crackling sounds. A lot of people can hear electricity, and it’s not a problem. But if you hear significant buzzing or crackling, that’s not normal! Consider an electrical safety test from Mr. Electric^®, a trusted Neighborly^® brand.
4. Frayed wires. If a single area of your home seems to be having electrical problems, look at the wiring for switches, outlets, and anything with a plug. If any wires are frayed, they should be replaced – and you may want to look for other signs of a rodent problem, including in your air ducts.
5. Aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring. These types of wiring are outdated and could be dangerous due to sheer age and inferior design. Better to upgrade than to be sorry later.
6. Warm or vibrating spots on outlets or walls. If there are hot spots anywhere, something is wrong, and you should hire an electrician. Get more tips from Rainbow International^® for preventing electrical fires.
7. Smoke coming from outlets or appliances. Now it’s getting serious! While you could test the electrical components of your appliances to troubleshoot further, it’s safest to get professional appliance repair and electrical services immediately.
8. Burning smells or scorch marks on electrical fixtures. Like the previous sign of bad wiring in a house, this one indicates an urgent problem that should be evaluated by an experienced electrician.

Act Fast When You See the Signs of Bad Wiring

If you’ve seen the above warning signs of bad wiring, rely on the Neighborly family of home service professionals to keep your home protected and up to date. Our trained, experienced pros can help with your electrical system and any other aging parts of your house:

• Learn more about Mr. Electric® and their expert electrical services.
• Explore Rainbow International’s® fire damage restoration expertise.
• Check out Mr. Appliance’s^® track record for excellent appliance repair.
• Mr. Handyman^® can help with drywall repair and other post-electrical-work projects.
• Consider asking Aire Serv^® to check out your HVAC systems too.
• To upgrade your old plumbing, just contact your local Mr. Rooter^®.
• If you’re thinking about a backup power generator, we have more generator information for you.

Need any other home services? Search for more Neighborly® services right here! Our professionals are ready to lend a hand to repair and improve your home.