Electricity plays a crucial role in every home. Unfortunately, electrical issues are common, and almost everyone will experience them at some point.
When electrical issues arise, homeowners may be tempted to address them without involving a professional hoping to fix them immediately or save some coins. This can be safe in certain circumstances, such as when changing a light bulb.
However, attempting to fix some issues when you don't have the necessary technical and safety qualifications can be hazardous and a risk to life.
Read on to learn some electrical issues you should never attempt to fix yourself.
1. Flickering Lights
Flickering lights are not only annoying but can be dangerous too. There are several causes of flickering lights. These include circuit overload, faulty wiring, and loose bulbs.
If only one bulb is flickering, you can safely try to tighten it to see whether the problem will be solved. However, if the problem persists or there are several flickering bulbs, it is advisable to call a professional to identify the issue and fix it.
There could be an issue with your house wiring that needs to be urgently fixed before causing fire hazards. Still, there may be issues with the electrical service. Australian-accredited electricians are in a better position to fix such significant problems.
2. Damaged Wiring
Electrical wiring damage can occur over time due to wear and tear. Pets and rodents can also cause damage to wires.
Tattered or frayed are some of the signs of damaged wiring. Other signs include burning smells in the house, buzzing or vibrating appliances and lights, and electrical shocks.
Damaged wiring is hazardous and is one of the top causes of home fires. Homeowners are advised to check their wiring frequently for any signs of damage and call an electrician.
Attempting to fix damaged wires is extremely dangerous. Whatever plug you plug into the outlet will get damaged if you get the wrong wiring. An electrical fire is possible, and you risk getting hefty fines.
3. Sparking Outlets
A small blue spark may be produced when connecting an appliance to an outlet. Usually, this is not a cause for concern.
However, if you see a yellow spark or any other color that isn't blue, it is an unusual spark that needs to be addressed. Similarly, if a burning smell is produced during a spark, there is a cause for alarm. A spark that is quite big and lasts longer than a second should also not be ignored.
Don't try to fix sparking outlets. Let an electrician inspect the outlet to identify the problem and fix it before it becomes a risk to life.
4. Downed Power Lines
Local road accidents happen and trees grow. With that, there are a number of accidents where private poles get damaged or even short-circuit. We understand that it may be tempting to reconnect a point of connection to your home, in any case, you should never, ever do that! Most electrical systems have failsafes and it will prevent from escalating the circuit, however you should never attempt to restore the power yourself.
For tree related information in regards to power poles, check out this Poles and Powerlines Bushfire Safety Guide.
Trust the Pros
Don't risk electrical shocks, fires, property damage, and fines for handling electrical issues when you don't have the expertise to do so correctly. The problem may escalate, causing more damage.
Instead of placing yourself at risk, hiring an electrician is advisable since they have the qualifications and expertise to handle any electrical issue safely.
At M1&Co Electrical, we have extensive experience fixing residential electrical issues. If you have problems like the ones highlighted above, let our Australian-accredited electricians fix them without risking your home's and its occupants' safety. Contact us to learn more.