Common Household Electrical Problems and Solutions

It's highly likely that you have experienced some form of electrical issues in your home but didn't know what it meant or how to fix it. This guide lists several of the most frequent electrical issues and how to fix them. Some are easily preventable and fixable by the resident, while other problems require the help of an experienced and licensed electrician. We hope this helps you identify the source of some of your electrical issues! 

DIY Electrical Solutions 

Tripping Circuit Breaker. If you have several high-powered appliances plugged in, chances are you will trip your circuit breaker. Luckily, it's a simple fix to get your power back on. All you have to do is flip the correct breaker and your power will come back on. However, you will have to be more diligent about the power consumption of household appliances. A little bit of awareness can keep you from losing power in your home.

High Electric Bill. No one wants to pay more than they must for electricity. So how can you reduce your bill? The easiest ways include:

• Unplugging devices when not being used
• Reducing the use of power-surging devices
• Repairing damaged circuits or wiring

You can also invest in smart power strips, which completely cut off the current when devices aren't being used. This eliminates the constant power devices tend to absorb even if they don't need electricity at the moment.

Not enough outlets. Typically, the standard is that there should be an outlet four feet from doors, and then 12 feet after that. However, this standard wasn't adopted in older homes. If you need more outlets, you can always invest in extensions cords. It should be noted that heavy-duty extension cords (14-gauge or thicker) are the best option to drastically reduce the chance of a fire starting. There's always the option of having more outlets installed, but this can become very expensive, very fast.  

Time for an Electrician 

Frequent Light Bulb Burn Out. This can be for a variety of reasons, but one that may call for the help of an electrician is if your home's voltage is too high. You can test this by investing in a voltage tester. However, it's important you know what you're doing since the power is still on. If you have results above 120 volts, you need to get in touch with your electrician. 

Power surge. While power surges can be blamed on poor wiring, lighting, bad appliances, or damaged powerlines, it's not always something you can fix yourself. If you are able, you can try to disconnect the bad power boards from the outlet. However, if this doesn't work, it's time to call an electrician to identify and solve your issue.

Electric Shocks. This is primarily an issue in older homes, or it could be damaged or faulty wiring. If this occurs no matter what appliance you're using, you may need to bring in a professional.

Plug Loose in Outlet. While the issue can be with the plug itself, it can also be that your outlet has damaged contact points or bad wiring. If you try multiple appliances, and you still find that you have a loose outlet, we would be happy to assess the situation! 

We hope this helps you with any electrical issues you may be curious about. While some of the listed electrical issues are quick fixes, others require the expertise of an electrician. If you're looking for an electrician in the Atlanta area, fill out our contact us form or give us a call at 770-735-1136.