5 Common Electrical Issues Found in Older Homes

No home is immune to electrical issues. However, older homes often face a higher incidence of such troubles. In an age where your life may seem to depend on electricity, you must know the common problems that could impact your electric system.

You don’t have to continue being inconvenienced in your home. Instead, upgrade it by addressing common electrical issues that might impact your daily life.

Frequent Electrical Issues in Older Homes

Every electrical problem, whether an old circuit board or poor grounding, has unique challenges. These challenges affect the safety and functionality of your home. You can mitigate the majority of these electrical issues by hiring experienced electricians.

1. Old Wiring

Often, old homes have an outdated electrical network that does not satisfy modern safety standards. These houses usually have knob-and-tube, cloth-insulated, or aluminum components. These are hazardous because of their age and can potentially cause electrical fires or shocks.

Hiring a professional electrician is the most appropriate approach to resolving outdated wiring. They will examine your home’s electrical framework. After a thorough assessment, they may recommend rewiring the home. After updating electrical wiring, your home will meet code requirements and ensure your family’s safety.

2. Insufficient Grounding

Houses of a certain age usually have poor or nonexistent grounding in the electrical panels. This opens you to electrical shocks from stray currents and power surges. It also makes your home more vulnerable to electrical fires. An electrician can install fixtures, like grounding rods, to improve safety.

3. Not Enough Outlets

Older homes were not built to support the many electrical gadgets that are commonplace today. This creates a shortage of electrical outlets for your family. Confer with an electrician about installing additional outlets. They will strategically place them throughout your home.

Access to more outlets makes it more convenient for you. No more switching outlets like you are playing a game of musical chairs! You’ll no longer have to worry about tripping over power strips or extension cords.

4. Two-Prong Outlets

Another electrical issue in older homes is two-pronged outlets. Modern appliances and gadgets are fit with three-prong plugs for added protection through grounding. Two-pronged outlets are inconvenient, and they can also be hazardous at times.

Replace your outlets with grounded, three-prong receptacles. An electrician can safely upgrade these fixtures without compromising safety. This change will prevent electrical issues from arising due to appliances that have not been grounded.

5. Flickering Lights

If you notice flickering lights when you power up an appliance, you may be overloading the circuit. These electrical issues require updating your home’s electrical load potential. Flickering lights on their own indicate a severe electrical issue. This symptom may mean your home has loose or frayed wiring, two culprits of residential electrical fires.

Have an electrician examine your wiring. They can repair damages, upgrade fixtures, or restore loose connections. This problem must be resolved to prevent potential risks.

Get Help With Your Electrical Troubleshooting

Have you encountered any of these electrical issues? You need timely assistance from the experienced and trusted team at Peak Home Performance.

Don’t let these common electrical issues make your home feel inconvenient. Contact Peak Home Performance to schedule your visit with our electricians!