Electrical Home Safety Inspections

When buying a home, you’ll want to know what, if any, electrical defects or safety hazards exist in your potential new home. Key items of concern are things like out-dated or unsafe electrical service panels, missing GFCI protection, aluminum wiring, and grounding problems.  The peace of mind you will have knowing that a licensed electrician - a professional in the electrical field - inspected your home, is well worth the money.  Mike Counsil Electric, Inc. can bring you that peace of mind at an affordable rate.

Whether you’re buying a home, living in an older home, or just moving in to a new home, here are some ideas that can help you. If you’re in the buying process, the things to look for are safety and repair aspects.  Mike Counsil Electric, Inc. can offer you an inspection to check for these items.  Although a home inspector does a very thorough generalized inspection, there is the potential for potential electrical problem areas to be missed.  However, if you hire an experienced licensed electrician, your electrical inspection will be more thorough and you can get an estimate for the cost of the repairs at the same time.

At Mike Counsil Electric, Inc., we provide a thorough home electrical safety inspection. We closely follow all items and current electrical codes as specified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  The National Fire Protection Association has ensured that electrical installation codes are in place to promote safety in the home; any codes generally are in place to promote proper electrical system operation and prevention of electrical fires and the tragic loss of life and limb.  We will go through the electrical wiring, electrical devices, and all electrical systems in your home or business to ensure that your electrical wiring is up to the NFPA standard.  If we find something that is currently not up to this standard, it’s possible that we can offer you a price to correct the situation while on site in your home.

We will also go through your electrical service panel to check for proper connections, proper grounding, checking the main disconnect, as well as looking for potential damage due to age or from the elements.  Other items we look for are proper grounding throughout your electrical wiring, and we conduct polarity checks at your electrical receptacles.  We observe dimmers for excessive heat buildup and proper function.  These are just examples of a few of the items that need to be checked.

We will provide you with a written report of our findings of the home electrical safety inspection as well.  The home electrical safety inspection program offered by Mike Counsil Electric Inc. is just one of the many residential electrical services we offer.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Home Electrical System

Do circuit breakers in your home trip often or do fuses keep blowing?

A home electrical system has these built-in safeguards to prevent electrical overload. Too much current causes the breakers to open automatically or the fuses to melt. When a circuit shuts down repeatedly, it's a warning that should not be ignored.

Are GFCI outlets installed where required?

The National Electrical Code now requires extra protection for outlets in specific areas of the home, such as kitchens, baths, utility rooms, garages and outdoors. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s) - which are identifiable by their TEST and RESET buttons—are generally required in proximity to wet locations. If your wiring has not been upgraded with GFCI’s you're not protected.

Are extension cords needed to reach the outlets in any room?

Electrical outlets, especially in older homes, are often spaced too far apart for modern living. This not only creates too much demand on too few outlets, it also poses a hazard when the extension cords are run under rugs and furniture.

Is there rust on the main electrical service panel?

Even permanent fixtures wear out or suffer the ravages of time. When rust appears on the metal service panel it often indicates a moisture problem or that deterioration has reached an advanced stage.

Do the lights dim when appliances turn on?

High-demand appliances such as air conditioners, clothes dryers, refrigerators and furnaces need extra power when they start up. This temporary current draw can be more than just a nuisance; it can damage sensitive equipment.

Do electrical switches or outlets feel warm or tingly?

Loose or deteriorating electrical connections, such as the wiring junctions in switches and outlets, impede current flow and create resistance. This may create a dangerous condition that can result in shock or fire.

Do your electrical outlets need accessory plug-strips?

Too many things plugged in at one location can create more current demand than a single outlet or electrical line can safely handle. Adding multiple plug-in strips won't solve the problem. What you need are additional outlets, and possibly new wiring runs to service them.

Do your outlets not accept three-prong plugs?

The third, or grounding, prong on a typical appliance plug provides an extra measure of safety against electrical shock. Older two-prong receptacle outlets, installed in homes before this innovation, may not be adequately grounded and should be upgraded.

Is the wiring in your outlet boxes old and crumbling?

If you look at the wiring to your home's light switches or outlets, do you find wires wrapped in cloth sheathing or bits of black rubber in the electrical box? Very old homes often have antiquated wiring that should be upgraded to ensure your safety.

Have you never upgraded your electrical service?

If your home is over 25 years old, you could have an inadequate and possibly hazardous electrical system—and not even know it. To be safe, call in an electrician for a thorough inspection, and if necessary bring your home up to today's electrical code standards.

Call Mike Counsil Electric, Inc. at 408-212-0230