Most homeowners have never experienced an alarming electrical malfunction, but when they do, it may be too late. In our experience with Raleigh area homeowners, an electrical safety inspection often surprises them after discovering multiple conditions that are shock hazards and/or fire hazards. One example is the 1960s and 1970s era homes that have aluminum wiring.
When it comes to older homes, there is nobody better than Wiretech Company to handle your electrical repairs and upgrades. Give yourself peace of mind that your electrical system is safe and secure by checking out the information on this page, then giving us a call.
What Is a Home Electrical Safety Inspection?
An electrical safety inspection examines the electrical system in your home to make sure its various components meet safety standards. These standards are set forth by the National Electrical Code (NEC), and electricians must follow them when inspecting your home. The inspection will also involve checking your system to verify it is installed and operating correctly.
A home electrical safety inspection will:
- Ensure your electrical system is working correctly.
- Identify any existing problems before they become a hazardous threat, like an electrical fire or power shortage.
- Provide recommended solutions to keep your home safe.
- Help you meet the requirements for your insurance risk assessment inspection.
- Assess the system before you commit to purchasing the home.
- Reduce your energy consumption and costs.
What Does a Home Electrical Safety Inspection Involve?
During our home electrical safety inspections, we look for anything that could pose a safety hazard to the home's residents. It is not uncommon to find open junction boxes or splices that can create both a shock hazard and a fire hazard. We also find loose connections at receptacles, junction boxes and service panels, which can start arcing and create a great amount of heat that can lead to a fire.
Two of the things we look for are the installation of properly functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors as required by the NC Building Code.
We also look for properly sized light bulbs in the light fixtures. People ask, "what could an improperly sized light bulb do?" When a light bulb exceeds the listed limits on the light fixture, it can create enough heat over time to cause the insulation around the wires of the light fixture to crystalize, become brittle and break away from the wire itself. This damage causes the wire to be exposed and be a potential shock and/or fire hazard. There is a reason why light fixtures say "use a maximum __ wattage bulb."
Overall, there are many things in your electrical system that can be dangerous and hazardous. Hiring a qualified electrician to inspect your electrical system is the safest way to get peace of mind that your home is safe and functioning properly from an electrical standpoint.
Our Electrical Safety Inspection Checklist
When your electrician from Wiretech Company inspects your home, they will use our safety checklist as a guide to inspect certain areas and identify potential issues. We will:
- Check all switches and receptacles for proper operation and secure connections.
- Check all light bulbs to make sure they are the proper wattage per the light fixture specifications.
- Check all ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles or circuit breakers for proper operation and secure connections.
- Check all arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) circuit breakers for proper operation and secure connections.
- Check all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for proper operation and replace batteries if they are battery operated.
- Check all connections and do an inspection of all service equipment, including the service panel, air conditioner disconnects, etc.
- Check that proper grounding is in place for the entire house.
When your home electrical inspection is complete, we will send you a full report of our findings and any recommendations we have for repairs or possible safety upgrades that are not already in place.
How Long Does an Electrical Safety Inspection Take?
Electrical safety inspections in Raleigh usually take two to four hours. The time will depend on factors like the size of your property, the number and size of outbuildings and any outdoor electrical lighting and equipment you have.
How Often Should You Get an Electrical Safety Inspection?
You should schedule an electrical safety inspection service for your home every three to five years, though private residences can often go every 10 years. The frequency will depend on factors such as the age of your house and the number of appliances on its circuits. Regular inspections will make it easier to identify potential electrical issues and make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.
When Should You Get a Safety Inspection?
If you notice these signs around your home, it might be a good idea to get an electrical safety inspection. Call the electrical safety professionals at Wiretech Company:
- If your home is 20 years old or older.
- If you’ve ever smelled something burning that you could not identify or locate.
- If your home has aluminum wiring.
- If your home has undergone a major renovation.
- If there is evidence that additional electrical work has been done in your home by a previous homeowner.
- If you’re getting ready to sell your home.
- If you are considering buying the house.
- If you see anything electrical that looks shoddy or concerning, such as covers missing, exposed electrical wires and electrical equipment hanging off of the wall.
- If you have small children in the home.
- If you are adding a new appliance.
- If a major storm has caused water damage to your electrical system.
- If your electricity bill has been unusually high.
- If you want peace of mind that your electrical system is safe and secure on homes of any age.
Home Electrical Safety Inspection in Raleigh
Wiretech Company's home electrical safety inspection service for Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle area will keep your electrical system in check by identifying any problems and providing practical solutions. Owner Mike Jones and his team have comprehensive experience doing electrical work in older homes. They take special pride in their expert knowledge of older electrical systems and the unique challenges in wiring and circuitry upgrades in older homes. We are knowledgeable about the electrical code requirements for homes in the Raleigh area, since we have served the area for more than 30 years.
An electrical safety inspection is included as part of our Home Value Plans. When you sign up for this plan, you will receive one safety inspection per year up to three years. The electrical safety inspection cost is discounted, and the dispatch fee is waived for ultimate savings and a safe home.
Schedule an electrical safety inspection for your home by contacting us online or calling 919-847-1617.
Electrical Safety Inspection Articles
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- Replacing the Aluminum Wiring in Your HomeThrough the mid-60s and 70s, as the Vietnam Era was progressing, home builders were encountering a problem: copper was becoming too expensive for use in residential homes. As copper was being used for the war effort, they needed an alternative material to wire homes. They found this in the aluminum wiring. Unfortunately, […]
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