Electricians Daytona » Blog » Can electrical safety inspections help identify hazards?

Can electrical safety inspections help identify hazards?

Electrician Tech Mike looking out the window of his Mister Sparky vanMany people rarely think about their electrical system unless there’s an electrical problem. However, your electrical system has many wires and circuits that can become outdated or damaged. Some of these issues can result in power failures or expensive repairs. To avoid emergency electrical situations, it’s a good idea to schedule regular electrical safety inspections. Besides keeping your system up-to-date, these inspections can also help identify hazards.

What Is an Electrical Safety Inspection?

An electrical safety inspection is a thorough checkup of your home’s electrical system. During an inspection, electricians look for anything amiss, such as faulty wiring or outdated components. They also ensure that your electrical system is up to code. Electrical safety inspections are especially important for old homes or recently renovated homes, but they can benefit all homeowners.

What Kinds of Hazards Can an Electrical Safety Inspection Identify?

While the primary purpose of an electrical safety inspection is to ensure your system is functioning effectively, it can also identify hazards. Here are some hazards that a safety inspection can uncover.

Faulty Wiring

There are many reasons you may have faulty wiring. Faulty wiring can be due to old age, for instance. If you live in an old home and electricians haven’t inspected your system in decades, your wires may have suffered years of wear and tear. In addition, some wires may be damaged or frayed after years of use. In other cases, faulty wiring can be due to poor DIY work where someone in the home attempted to fix a nagging electrical problem. Our electricians at Mister Sparky can identify the wires that need to be replaced before you suffer a power failure, a power surge, or even an electrical fire.

Outdated Materials

Electrical codes are constantly updated. If you live in an older home, you may be using electrical components that are no longer safe or particularly effective. For example, older homes use aluminum wiring, which can lead to overheating. Our electricians will inspect your electrical system and offer options to upgrade any outdated components or represent code violations.

Overloaded Circuits

An overloaded circuit happens when too many devices draw power from a single circuit. This can lead to tripped breakers, overheating, and electrical fires. During an electrical safety inspection, our electricians inspect each circuit in your home to ensure it’s not exceeding its limits. We offer solutions for an overloaded circuit, such as adding a new circuit or spreading out your electrical load. Furthermore, if you’re considering adding a home office, our electricians can ensure your new office doesn’t cause an electrical overload.

What Do Electricians Do During an Electrical Safety Inspection?

When you schedule an electrical safety inspection with our team, a licensed electrician will come to your home and perform a thorough visual audit. Here are some of the tasks involved:

Check the Electrical Panel

Electricians always check the electrical panel for wear and tear, corrosion, loose wires, or overloaded circuits.

Examine All Wiring

Next, they will examine all the wiring in your home to find damaged or frayed wires, old wires, or outdated wires. They will also ensure that all outlets are properly grounded.

Check for Overloaded Circuits

Electricians will inspect each circuit to ensure it’s not handling too much power. Talk to our team if you experience flickering lights or tripped breakers.

Inspect Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

In areas with a lot of water, like the laundry room, kitchen, and bathrooms, electricians ensure the GFCIs are functioning correctly. GFCIs help prevent electric shocks by turning off your power if they detect an imbalance in the current.

Ensure Safety Code Compliance

Electricians also ensure that your home meets the latest safety codes. Checks include ensuring the correct circuit breaker sizes and proper grounding.

Points Out Outdated Materials

If you have outdated materials, electricians will typically note them and offer replacement options so you can update components to safer and more energy-efficient ones.

Provide a Detailed Report

Electricians will then provide you with a detailed report of their findings. This will include any hazards they find.

Additional Benefits of Getting an Electrical Safety Inspection

Besides identifying hazards, there are additional benefits to scheduling regular electrical safety inspections. These include:

Extends the Life of Your Electrical System

Electricians can help extend the life of your electrical system by replacing worn-out parts, catching issues early, and replacing outdated components.

Improves Energy Efficiency

An inefficient electrical system strains it, causing higher electricity bills. Electricians can help your system run smoother by replacing damaged or old parts and reducing energy bills.

Protects Electronics and Appliances

An overloaded circuit or damaged electrical panel can cause a power surge, which can fry any devices or appliances plugged in at the time. Regular inspections can ensure your system is efficient enough to handle all your appliances and electronics.

Peace of Mind

Lastly, regular inspections give you peace of mind that your home is well-protected for years to come.

Mister Sparky

Electrical fires happen far more frequently than people imagine. When it’s time to protect your Daytona, FL, home, our electricians at Mister Sparky can help. Our affordable electrical safety inspections can identify hidden hazards and place a shield of protection around your home. If your home is older than 20, we recommend getting an inspection every 1-3 years. If your home is newer than 20 years, we recommend getting an inspection every 3-5 years.

We have over 30 years of experience in the electrical industry, and our licensed electricians can identify issues before they become costly repairs. Contact us today to schedule an electrical safety inspection.