Warning Signs Your Rental Property Needs an Electrician
20May
by webadmin
0
Warning Signs Your Rental Property Needs an Electrician
Electricity is the most fundamental discovery that has created our modern lives. Electricity lights up our cities, drives our industries, and is the backbone of our digital technology. But most of all, it is the basis for tenants’ comfort in a rental property. But since most parts of a home’s electrical systems are out of sight, the home’s electricity is often taken for granted.
The only time landlords and tenants pay attention to their electricity supply is when something is not working. But before an electrical fault manifests as an obvious problem, usually it has been going on for a while. Most electrical dangers start deep inside the walls of a rental, where the signs of failure or malfunction are not easy to detect until they result in a fire.
An overwhelmingly high proportion of house fires begin in the home’s electrical wiring. They are caused by obsolete, damaged, poorly installed, or improperly maintained wiring. And because of the fact that many landlords do not know the telltale signs of imminent problems with a home’s electrical systems, electrical problems are mostly discovered in their advanced stages.
Unlike the home’s plumbing or HVAC systems, as Avalon Management points out, landlords often don’t know the indicators of impending electrical problems. They have to wait until they experience an electrical failure before they recognize that they have a problem. However, electrical faults are the most dangerous type of damage to have in a rental property, due to the high risk of fires and electric shocks.
This is why landlords must know the signs of electrical problems and when their rental needs an electrician. The ability to properly identify electrical faults can make the difference between preventing fire and fighting a fire. It could also make the difference between life and death. Here are the warning signs landlords need to know when their rental property needs an electrician.
Get an electrical evaluation
An electrical evaluation establishes a baseline of where the home’s electrical systems are. It offers owners an overview of the systems by identifying obsolete components, poor installations, wiring that is not up to the code, and other problems. The evaluation makes it easy to deal with issues going forward.
Frequent circuit breaker trips
Circuit breakers prevent damage by shutting off the power when there is an overload. Occasional circuit breaker trips are normal, but when trips happen several times in a month, there may be deeper issues with the wiring.
Flickering, buzzing, and dimming lights
If the lights in a home flicker, buzz, or dim slightly when they are turned on, or when multiple appliances are being used in the home, it is a sign that the wiring needs an upgrade. Flickering lights are caused by a power surge, especially when appliances place a demand above what the wiring can handle.
Chewed up or frayed wiring
This problem is caused by rodents and pets. Some animals like to chew on hard surfaces and they often choose a home’s wiring. Frayed wires can also be the result of improper installation by an amateur electrician. If there are rodent droppings in the home or other signs of pest infestation, suspect this problem.
Warm and vibrating wall outlets
Power outlets that feel warm to the touch or which vibrate slightly when in use are a sign of bigger problems with the home’s wiring. Also if the outlet sparks when it is in use, it could be because the outlet is substandard or the home’s wiring is damaged.
Smell of burning
If a smell of burning often hangs in the air and its origin cannot be pinpointed, there is a good chance that part of the wiring inside the walls has been damaged by fire. Smoke and strange odors are other ways these problems manifest. These signs occur mostly when an appliance is being used.
Scorched, discolored, or sparking outlets
Scorch marks and discolorations on power outlets mean that the wires behind the outlet are damaged and releasing heat. In addition to scorch marks, there may be evidence of warping.
Noisy electrical panels
Humming or cracking sounds from inside the electrical panel is a sign that the wiring is overloaded. Wires get overloaded due to age or damage. These sounds mostly happen when a device is plugged in. Electrical panels should not be making any sounds.
Broken light switches and outlets
If light switches and power outlets work for a period and then stop working, there could be loose wiring in the system. It may also be because the wires inside the walls are burnt.If after checking the light switches and outlets no problems are found, the problem is with the wiring.
Recurring electrical problems
When some or all of these issues become frequent in a rental, it could be an indication that the home’s wiring system has reached the end of its useful life. In addition to the above signs, when bulbs burn out quickly or appliances function at lower power levels, the home needs an electrical evaluation.
There you have it, 10 warning signs your rental property needs an electrician. If you notice any of these signs, best to give the professionals at Ozburn Electrical Contractors, Inc. a call at 770-784-1618.
For more information and guidance when selecting rental property, go to https://avalonpropertymanagement.net/ or simply click here to see what Avalon Property Management has to advise on this topic.
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