Outdated electrical wiring can cause a lot of problems for homeowners, beginning from minor electric shocks and leading up to electrical short circuits and fires, which might lead to severe injuries and even fatalities. Thus, you need to pay special attention to update the wiring in your house as soon as one of the signs mentioned in this blog becomes apparent. We’re here to help you detect some of the most prominent signs of outdated wiring so you can call the pros to help you out and ensure the safety of your family in the long run.
Before we discuss how you can tell that your home wiring is getting old, keep this general rule in mind: If your house is more than 40 years old, and you’ve never felt the need to update its wiring, you should consider doing it now.
Signs of Outdated Wiring
Old wiring can lead to power outages, tripped circuits, electric shocks, fires, and sparks, but all of that can be prevented by detecting the signs of outdated wiring early on and replacing outdated electrical wiring with new cabling throughout the property. Want to know when it’s time to update the wiring in your house? Check for the following occurrences:
- Dimming or flickering lights
- Buzzing outlets and switches
- Electric shocks from switches
- Tripping circuit breakers
- Damaged wiring
- Loose connections
- Smoke from outlets
- Hot spots on the wall
- Burning smells
- Scorched switches
All of the signs mentioned above indicate the need to replace your old wiring. We’ll discuss each scenario in detail to help you understand it better.
Dimming or Flickering Lights
Ceiling lights are the most commonly used indoor light fixtures in Pakistani homes. Thus, you’ll notice voltage fluctuations in these lights way more than in any of the others that you only use on special occasions. As such, if you see dimming or flickering lights that remind you of a haunted house, you need to understand that adequate power supply is not reaching the light fixtures, which is causing the twinkling effect. In most cases, this is due to faulty wiring, which can quickly be resolved if noted in time.
Buzzing Outlets and Switches
If you turn on a switch and are greeted by a buzzing spark, it’s best to turn the switch off and call an electrician who can check the problem thoroughly. Electrical outlets are generally silent and efficient unless there’s something wrong with the wiring itself.
Electric Shocks from Switches
Switches and outlets that shock you when you touch them indicate that it’s time to replace your old wiring and get the outlets checked by a professional. From grounding issues to uninsulated wires, there can be a range of reasons why you’re being shocked every time you touch a switch or cable, and it’s best to keep the connected equipment powered down until you know more about what’s going on behind the walls.
Tripping Circuit Breakers
Frequent power breakdowns due to tripping circuits not only causes harm to all your electrical appliances and devices but also creates a blackout inside the house, which can lead to injury for any of the family members. Update the wiring in your home to protect your loved ones, while enjoying a continuous supply of electricity for all your needs. Please note that circuit breakers will trip due to wear and tear over time, but if you’re witnessing blown fuses and tripping every week, consider getting the system inspected by a professional, as it might be a sign of overloaded circuitry inside your home.
Damaged Wiring
Time takes its toll on your house and its fittings. Thus, electrical wiring may become frayed, damaged, or weak over time, with or without external stimulus. Live wires that are exposed to the environment are a fire hazard and need to be fixed and recoated immediately. Live wires also cause shocks and electrocution, which may be fatal. Wrap electrical tape around fraying wires until professional help arrives.
Loose Connections
Broken or loose switches often result in exposed wiring. If that’s the case in your home, consider upgrading the outdated electrical wiring in your house. Moreover, if you have kids in the house, keep them away from switches on the walls, especially if they are broken. A new switch box will fix the problem in a timely manner.
Smoke from Outlets
This is one of the most alarming signs of outdated wiring since this means that your wiring is on fire behind the outlet and can spread further through the house if steps are not taken to replace the electrical cabling immediately.
Hot Spots on the Wall
Outdated electrical wiring can often cause hot spots on the wall that will be warm to the touch. This also happens to electrical outlets and switches and the plugs you connect to them. The heat indicates that there is something wrong with the home wiring that needs to be checked out by an electrician.
Burning Smells
One of the most common signs of outdated wiring is a burning odour that begins to spread as soon as you turn on a switch inside the house. The smell indicates that a spark has been ignited behind the switch and is gradually burning through your wiring.
Scorched Switches
Finding scorched switches around the house is an indicator that your home’s electrical system is overloaded and probably resulting in sparks and small fires at random times when multiple power-draining appliances are being run at the same time.
These are just some of the most obvious signs of outdated wiring that you can inspect around the house to determine whether your home requires an electrical update. If you find one or more of these signs at your residence, call an electrician immediately to check the home wiring, switches, and connections for faults, repairs, and replacements.
Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more informative posts and email us at blog@zameen.com with your questions and queries.
