Electrical Spring Cleaning 2021

May is around the corner, and most of us have yet to complete our spring cleaning. We often associate this “cleaning” with housework, organizing, and a deep-clean, but it is also a perfect time to complete home repairs and maintenance projects.

Apart from repairing minor leaks and squeaks, a complete home check for electrical issues goes a long way in preventing future electrical hazards. Why not make this year’s spring cleaning even better with some of these tips!

Maintaining Safe Power Flow

Many of our appliances and electronics use a short electrical cord. Over time, especially when cords are running under carpets or near walkways, they can become damaged or frayed. Our first thought may be fear of electrocution, but damaged power cords can also present a fire hazard.

Check all cords and outlets to ensure they have no damage. Cheaper electronics can be easily replaced. However, if a power cord on an appliance, or even an outlet, is damaged, you’ll need to immediately call an electrical technician to replace or repair the damage.

Overloading circuits by plugging in too many items is also a hazard. In fact, if we keep our items unplugged until we need them, this practice will help us save on our monthly energy bill.

Outlets and GFCI

Have you ever noticed a power outlet with two buttons in the middle? These are called GFCIs, and they are great in places with water like the kitchen or bathroom. If your device has an electrical short due to water damage, a GFCI outlet will immediately shut itself off. This helps you avoid electric shock and can help prevent major electrical home damage.

On the subject of outlets, ensuring your home outlets are not overly warm is critical to maintaining a safe home. If you notice any abnormal temperature, color, or damage, please contact one of our professional electricians.

Lights, not Fire!

Light bulbs are everywhere, and these days there are numerous energy saving bulbs available. If you’ve made the switch to CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs with the intention of becoming more eco-friendly, watch out! Using a CFL bulb in a place it was not designed for presents a fire hazard. In fact, using them in track lighting, pot lights, or in dimmer plugs is dangerous. A good rule of thumb is to always use a dimmer bulb for a dimmer fixture.

Also, always confirm your bulb wattage matches the correct wattage for the fixture. Too low of a wattage may not be noticeable, but if you exceed the allowed wattage then your light fixture can be damaged or even start a fire.

While these techniques are preventative, it never hurts to have your home inspected by a trained specialist. It may seem like something small, but the peace of mind you’ll have from a full inspection is priceless. Not to mention the time and money saved in the event faulty wiring would have led to an electrical fire.

This year, let spring cleaning end with greater peace of mind, not just a clean house: Get in touch with our expert team today and get this season started right!