8 signs you need to hire an Electrician

Last Updated Mar 4, 2016 · Written by Rob Schneider

You simply can’t take chances with electricity. A minor fault today can mean major problems tomorrow. Here are eight signs you need to hire an electrician now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

One: Flickering Lights

One flickering light may be a sign that a light bulb needs replacing. That’s one job that does not require an electrician. If the flickering continues after you’ve replaced the light bulb or if several lights flicker, it’s time to call an electrician. It’s probably a problem with the wiring.

Two: Blown Fuses and Circuit Breakers

Fuses blow from time to time and circuit breakers trip occasionally. However, if you frequently have to replace a fuse or reset a tripped circuit breaker, it’s a sign that you’re overloading your electrical system or have another serious problem. Contact an electrician and they can locate the source of the problem and fix it.

Three: Electrical Shocks

If you feel a minor electrical shock when you plug in an appliance or turn on a light switch, it means something is shorting out. Your wiring may be frayed or lost its insulation. Minor shocks can lead to major shocks or even a house fire. Do not attempt to fix the problem yourself. It’s illegal and you can easily make a mistake. Get an electrician to fix the problem.

Four: A Buzzing Sound

Sometimes you might hear a buzzing sound coming from an outlet or light switch. This is an indication of a serious electrical problem. The buzzing sound is being created by something in the wiring close to the outlet or switch.

Five: Charred or Discoloured Outlets and Switches

If you don’t attend to a buzzing sound, eventually, a small fire can start just behind a light switch or electrical outlet. This will show up as charring or discolouration. Sometimes the charring or discolouration can occur even if you don’t hear the buzzing sound first. If an outlet or switch is discoloured, have it repaired by an electrician immediately.

Six: A Burning Smell

Electrical fires have a distinctly acrid burning smell. If you’re lucky, the burning smell will be an indication of a small fire only, but if you ignore the problem, material surrounding the wiring that is causing the smell will catch on fire and you’ll have a house fire to contend with.

Seven: Heat Around Light Fixtures

You may have to get on a ladder to investigate this, but it’s worth it to periodically feel the area around wall and ceiling light fixtures to find out if they are insulated as well as they should be. Poorly insulated light fixtures can be a source of house fires. Your electrician may need to replace your fixtures or may be able to insulate the area around them.

Eight: Sparks

You may see a small spark when you plug in an appliance. A small spark may not be an indication of a problem, but a large spark and/or a popping noise is an indication that something is wrong. In most cases, it’s a sign of loose wiring behind the outlet. This is a job for an electrician to fix. Never attempt to repair wiring yourself.