Understanding the Importance of Wire Inspection
Purchasing a new house or renting a new apartment can be incredibly exciting. However, it can also be a precursor to spending hard-earned money on items you never expected. One of these things includes wiring. In most cases, people prioritize things like furniture, decoration, and similar things when moving to a new place. When it comes to wiring, however, they don’t understand what they should be doing.
It’s incredibly important to ensure your house’s electrical wiring is free from faults. Even the smallest of issues could become a massive issue down the line. One of the biggest reasons why homeowners fail to understand the importance of electrical wiring inspection is that things like outlets, plugs, and wires are not as obvious as the other problems you could come across.
Are you new to house wiring and wondering about the importance of inspecting your electrical cable and other types of wires? If yes, continue reading this piece, as it discusses the importance of wire inspection along with some tips to consider.
Inspecting Bad Outlets
Inspecting faulty outlets is arguably the most straightforward thing you can do when you visit a house with multiple electric outlets. These outlets should preferably be in pristine condition without any cracks in its plastic housing. What’s more, they must also contain a ground as ungrounded outlets can be quite hazardous.
Ideally, grounded outlets should contain a third hole or prong. This is because they help discharge extra electricity towards the ground. In case you plugged a device or appliance inside an outlet with two prongs and notice sparks jumping out, you would understand the reason why they are so dangerous. For those who didn’t know, electricity makes it way to the ground very quickly. So, using grounded outlets will ensure that electrical currents can travel safely, without causing any hazards.
On the other hand, ungrounded outlets don’t offer the extra level of protection that their grounded counterparts do, which could be quite dangerous for older houses.
Telltale Signs of Bad Outlets
Besides cracks and breaks, faulty or malfunctioning outlets often stand out due to their smoky, pungent smell. A lot of home sellers tend to conceal these outlets, to make sure people don’t spot them. Fortunately, spotting such outlets is relatively straightforward and there are several ways to do so.
First off, the walls where the outlet is mounted may not have enough paint. There is also a good chance that the owner applied a fresh coat of paint on the wall, however, its color doesn’t match the original paint. If you notice such signs, there is a good chance that the wall was painted to conceal blackness resulting from electrical fires. If you notice such signs in multiple outlets, get in touch with a Vancouver professional electrician, making sure they fix them right away.
But, if you do not notice such signs in multiple outlets, there is a good chance that there is faulty wiring in the building. Sure, broken or cracked wall plates are easily replaceable, however, it is critical to remember that such signs could lead to a larger issue. Thorough wire inspection will allow you to understand the problem early, making sure you avoid long-term problems.
Word of Advice
Contrary to popular belief, changing your underground outlets is not a DIY project. It would be best if you acquired the services of a licensed electrician in Vancouver to place a ground wire in the electrical panel. Merely changing an outlet with two prongs will not solve the problem. In addition, grounding light switch wiring without professional assistance can be incredibly dangerous.
Inspecting Knob and Tube Wires
You would be surprised to learn that there are several homes in the United States that still use wiring with tubes and knobs. For those who don’t know, these wires were considered outdated during the 1930s. Inspecting knob and tube wiring is relatively easy. Some would even say that it is as simple as inspecting light switch wiring as there are several tell-tale signs that indicate whether these wires are faulty.
These wires are considered to be unsafe and obsolete, especially for residential properties. No matter how good the quality of your wires was, they do deteriorate as they age, resulting in fire hazards. This type of wiring does not generally support grounding, which is why it presents a massive electroshock risk.
Aluminum Wiring Inspection
While aluminum wiring was incredibly popular during the sixties and seventies, some newer homes still tend to use it. Unlike knob and tube wiring, aluminum wires do not present safety risks, especially if you install them the right way.
As mentioned earlier, wires deteriorate rapidly as they age, leading to potentially dangerous problems if you leave them unchecked. Aluminum enlarges a lot more when compared to copper. In addition, the constant cooling and heating of these wires force them out, which could result in electrical fires and short circuits.
Finding Out if Your Wiring is Outdated or Obsolete
Believe it or not, some buyers view old houses as antiques. Electricians however have a completely different point of view. The older the house, the older its wiring will be. It goes without saying that old wires go through a lot of wear and tear, which is why they are considered dangerous.
What makes them an even bigger threat is that they do not follow modern safety practice guidelines. Sure, you can plug modern electrical equipment inside your sockets, but it is a huge risk that could ruin your appliance permanently.
If you are just making a straightforward home visit, make sure you look out for buzzing noises. Older wires. Generally, old wires can be quite noisy and they also tend to release a lot of sparks. Therefore, it would be best to plug your appliances safely to avoid any damage. If the property you are inspecting suffers from things like tripped breakers or blown fuses on occasion, there is a good chance that its wiring is faulty.
How to Inspect Electrical Breakers/Panels
Breaker boxes are quite delicate, and it’s important to ensure that you arrange them neatly by keeping the wires in the right place. However, tracing them should be relatively easy, especially when they are leaving the breaker. If you come across stray wires present inside the box, it is not a good sign. Why? Because they result in shorts that could cause damage to your appliances.
In addition, you should also look for the lights, making sure they are supplied appropriately. If you notice that the tiny lights present in the box are blinking excessively, there is a good chance that there isn’t enough amperage in the breaker box.
Amperage just means the power of the current present inside the circuit. Every home has varying requirements when it comes to the amount of amperage they can handle. In most cases, modern homes contain sixty amperage breakers, which is not enough to support appliances that use too much electricity.
If you are moving to a new home, consider choosing one hundred or two hundred amp installations. In contrast, older houses generally depended on low amperages when it came to distribution. If your breaker box is showing signs of fuses, consider upgrading it as soon as possible.
Checking for Switches and Lights Safety
Prioritizing electrical safety is vital for safety, and you can only do it by inspecting your wires thoroughly. While modern technology has tamed electricity to a certain aspect, it is still important to steer clear of various electrical hazards.
You can start by keeping an eye on the lights and other electrical equipment in your house to make sure there is no flickering. If you notice this issue, get a licensed Vancouver electrician to inspect the problem and fix it. As mentioned earlier, things like this often happen because of amperage-related problems in the breaker box.
However, it could also be because of the various unsafe practices followed for the original wire’s installation. Peaking at your electrical outlets can also give you a good idea as they often create a buzzing sound or have a beach-like burning scent when there is something wrong. Either of these problems is telltale indicators of faulty or damaged wiring that need to be replaced.
It would also help if you checked for GCFI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets placed at different locations. Such outlets are specifically developed for breaking a circuit in case a short occurs. It is a tremendous way to prevent house fires and electrocutions. If your house or building does not have these sockets, chances are that the electrical system is not up to code.
While some people take wire inspection into their own hands, it may not be the best idea. Wiring can be quite dangerous and you must be aware of its ins and outs to check it without putting yourself in harm’s way. Consider hiring a Vancouver licensed electrician, making sure you have a seasoned professional to take care of these matters. It is also worth remembering that the flickering could be isolated to a single bathroom or room. However, if it is too apparent, you may have a bigger problem in your hands.
How Much Does an Outlet Replacement Cost?
While the cost to replace an outlet can significantly vary on several factors, the price generally ranges anywhere between one hundred to two hundred Dollars (for replacing two-prong outlets).
How Much Does an Electrical Wiring Upgrade Cost?
If your wiring is completely outdated, your only recourse would be to rewire your house completely. Generally, electrical rewiring could cost anywhere between fifteen hundred Dollars to ten thousand dollars (depending on your house’s square footage). However, the expense may not be worth it in case you are a new homeowner.
How to Inspect Faulty Electrical Panels
Electrical panels, which some people also refer to as breaker boxes are essentially the focal point of any house’s electrical system. The electrical panel distributes electricity to each piece of electrical equipment in your house. Taking a close look at the breaker box is an excellent way to determine if you will require repairs.
Breaker Box Upgrades – How Much do they Cost?
While the panel upgrades are relatively straightforward, they do take a great deal of time and cut off your electric supply for some hours. Replacing or upgrading your panel can cost you five hundred to four thousand dollars. However, this also includes the labor cost and depends if your box requires rewiring or just circuit replacement.
How Much Does House Wiring Cost?
Determining the amount of money required to obtain an inspection certificate and upgrade your building can be quite tricky. Homeowners, on average, pay as high as four thousand Dollars for house wiring or rewiring. However, no matter how high the price is, ensure that you do invest in high-quality house wiring to stay safe from fire hazards.
Things to Check When Inspecting Your House
Professional electricians check the following things during an inspection:
Circuits
Circuits are the first thing an electrician checks to ensure that your house’s electrical demands are being met. If you don’t have enough circuits for supporting your electricity needs, make sure you add more. Otherwise, you could risk damaging your appliances permanently. Appliances like dishwashers, garbage disposers, and microwave ovens especially consume a lot of electricity, which is why circuit inspection is critical.
Surge Protection
If you have sound systems, stereos, TVs, and other delicate devices, your electrician may recommend you to use isolated ground receptacles. The reason for this is that receptacles offer tremendous protection against interferences and fluctuations. In addition, using surge protectors is also an excellent way to safeguard delicate electronic equipment. When planning to get surges, make sure you don’t forget about the electronic boards used for your refrigerator, dryer, washer, etc.
Wires and Cables
Inspectors or electricians will check how the electrical wiring and electrical cable are attached in the boxes. Whether it is a regular wire or a 3 way light switch, make sure the sheathing of your cable sticks in the box to ensure the clams can grip it properly. You must also ensure that you have around eight inches of wire length coming outside the box. This will allow you to connect your devices properly while leaving room for replacement equipment.
Electrical Boxes
When you hire an electrician, they will make sure that all of your house’s electrical boxes are properly flush and are big enough to provide room for multiple wire conductors, along with other devices. It would be best if you fastened the box securely, preventing it from harmful elements. Consider using spacious, large electrical boxes to pass inspection and complete the connections without any hassle.
Wire Labeling
While there is no code or regulation for wire labeling, some homeowners and savvy electricians label electrical boxes and wires to highlight the circuit number and amperage. This type of attention to detail goes a long way as it eliminates confusion when repairing or replacing your wires.
Don’t Ignore Wire Inspections When Buying a House
As mentioned abundantly, wire inspections are critical especially before you buy or rent a house. You would be surprised to see the amount of damage even the smallest of electrical issues can cause, which is why it’s important to be proactive with wire and electrical inspections. It can save you a significant amount of money and may even help you bargain for lower rates if your find faults in your property’s wiring.
In some cases, an electrical inspection is included in the property inspection reports that people get before purchasing a house. These reports list things like foundations, fire safety, kitchen appliances, heating, plumbing, etc. However, it would be best to crosscheck these things, making sure the property’s electrical system is up to code.
Telltale Signs that Warrant an Electrical Inspection
- Search your house for degrading fuse boxes. If these boxes are emitting sparks or are close to melting, consider enlisting the services of a licensed Vancouver electrician. Problems like these often occur when appliances overheat, which could result in fires.
- Modern households have loads and loads of appliances these days that consume a lot of electricity. This could overburden your house’s wiring and cause a plethora of problems down the line. Consider getting a professional to inspect your property’s wires to ensure they are in good condition and can facilitate electricity without any issues. It would also help if you called an electrician for wire inspection every three to four years.
- Besides inspecting the wires, homeowners should also get their circuit breakers and fuse boxes checked as they protect your property’s electrical circuits. Irregular readings and wear and tear are clear indicators that you need to inspect and most likely replace your wires.
Final Thoughts
If you have performed wire inspections before, and are still unsure about your house’s electrical system, get in touch with a Vancouver licensed electrician. Besides assessing your system’s safety, these professionals can also determine if your wires are outdated or grounded. This can save you an incredible amount of money in the long run and protect you from electrical hazards.