DIY Electrical Troubleshooting Risks
Attempting a do-it-yourself project that involves your electrical system could be a disastrous and even dangerous event. While forgoing a call to an electrician might save you a few bucks, it’s not worth the risks. There are 5 big risks that come with DIY electrical troubleshooting.
Electrical Shock
Everyone knows dealing with electricity in any form poses its challenges and dangers. The possibility of electrical shocks is too dangerous to ignore. Did you know your oven and other household appliances can reach up to 240 volts – a deadly amount of current? While you can always turn off the power at your breaker box, it’s an easy step to forget and most DIYers do. To avoid ending up in a life-threatening situation, it’s best to leave all your electrical work to the pros.
Fire Hazards
One of the biggest concerns when working around electricity is the potential for fire hazards if something goes awry. Faulty wiring, for example, can cause a fire. Trying to solve wiring issues is a tricky and dangerous task for someone who isn’t familiar with it. All it takes is one wire in the wrong spot to cause a fire. And unlike electric shocks, fire hazards don’t always start right away. It could even be weeks or months before the wiring you fixed shorts out and causes a catastrophic fire. To avoid ending up in a dangerous situation, contact your local electrician for assistance.
Inspection Issues
Looking to sell your home but recently repaired your own electrical system? This could cause some issues when it comes to your inspection. Before selling your house, all your electrical components must pass inspection. And if not done correctly – it could fail and cost you even more money in the long run. You can rest assured that your electrical system will pass inspection by hiring a professional electrician.
Hidden Dangers
Electrical dangers aren’t always visible to the eye. All too often, they’re difficult to locate because they’re hidden out-of-sight. The attic is one area with increased risk of electric shock because of open junction boxes, unsecured wiring hidden beneath insulation, or any faulty, gnawed, or frayed wiring. While this happens often in attics, it can still happen anywhere. You should have an electrician look at it right away.
Implementing GFI Outlets
In the event of a fault connection, GFI outlets will prevent prolonged surges of electricity, which is what has the potential to cause serious injury or death. While they still can cause a painful shock, it’s much safer than most other outlets. Again, it’s not something you should attempt to DIY. A certified electrician will be able to go through your home and tell you which areas should have a GFI outlet installed.
About Weeks Service Company
Weeks Service Company offers a variety of electrical services, including but not limited to, electrical troubleshooting, GFCI replacement, surge protection services, electrical maintenances, generator services, and more! For a full list of our electrical services, click here. If you have any questions regarding your electrical system, don’t hesitate to contact us!