Common Electrical Problems in Older Homes
Whether you’re looking at purchasing an older home or currently live in one, there are certain electrical problems that they are more prone to than newer homes. While some of these problems result from natural wear and tear, others are because electricity standards have changed and old installation methods are now outdated.
While it might be tempting to deal with electrical issues in older homes on your own, you should always consult a licensed electrician. Electricians will know how to spot, diagnose, and repair all types of electrical problems. If you are in need of a skilled electrician in El Paso, look no further than Omega Electrical & Mechanica. Contact us online or call (915) 855-6868 today.
Outlets With No Power
Another common and irritating issue you might face with an older home is that there are outlets without power. There are several reasons why this can happen, but the most common is that a previous owner tried to do some DIY electrical work and messed things up. Diagnosing and repairing dead outlets can be tricky (and dangerous) and often requires a professional electrician in El Paso.
Flickering Lights
Flickering lights are one of the more serious problems you might face with an older home. In addition to being irritating and a sign of inadequate or loose wiring, flickering lights are a fire hazard, depending on the nature of the problem.
Inadequate Ceiling Light
One of the more unique problems with older homes is that they often don’t have enough interior lighting, particularly in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. This is because electricians and homeowners before the 80s and 90s didn’t see the value in having central ceiling lights in large rooms.
Nowadays, however, well-lit rooms are the norm, which means that if you buy an older home, you’ll likely be disappointed by the lack of lighting. The only way to eliminate this problem is by installing ceiling lights on your own, which requires the services of an electrician.
Not Enough Whole House Power
If you purchase an older home, there’s a good chance that it will have a new panel box or that you’ll need to add one. This is because the whole house’s power demand is very different today than when the house was originally built. The original electricity needs were likely very basic and included lights, outlets, and a few other commodities.
The modern home, however, has air conditioners, water heaters, large kitchen and bathroom appliances, washers, dryers, and more. Therefore, the electrical needs of a modern home might be too much for the original panel box and wiring to handle.
Additional Electrical Problems and Concerns
In addition to each of the problems above, there are a few other electrical problems that are common with older homes that an El Paso electrician can help with.
- Aluminum wiring instead of copper
- Knob and tube wiring
- Improper grounding practices
- No GFCI outlets in bathrooms and laundry rooms
- Not enough outlets
- Wire splices everywhere
- Constantly tripping circuit breakers
Contact Omega For Professional Electrician Services
If you have any of these or other electrical problems in your older home, Omega Electrical & Mechanical is ready to help. When you do, a professional, licensed, and experienced electrician will be at your home to assess the problem. Call (915) 855-6868 today.
