The bright Las Vegas lights are always on, but what happens when yours go out?

When something isn’t working right in our homes, we want to fix it. Maybe you or your spouse are the type of person who strives to fix everything themselves. While this is an admirable quality, it isn’t a safe decision when it comes to electrical problems. Do you know when to call an electrician? Keep reading to learn when you need to contact a professional for residential electrical services.

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Don’t Wait to Get Your Home’s Electrical Problems Fixed

While the most handy of us may know how to replace a blown fuse, there is a wide array of electrical problems that need to fall into the hands of our local electricians. It’s extremely dangerous to underestimate the power of electricity, as hundreds of Americans die every year due to electrical injuries that could have been prevented. Without the proper training and skills, working with electricity can be a fatal decision. If you experience an electric problem or anomaly and aren’t sure when to call an electrician, play it safe and call one anyway.

8 Signs It’s Time to Call an Electrician

Not sure when to call an electrician? If you’re experiencing any of these eight electrical issues, it’s imperative to reach out to a professional:

Flickering Lights

Motor-driven appliances, such refrigerators or microwaves, require a lot of energy to operate, because they draw in a high current. When these appliances are connected to faulty internal wiring or if the wiring is deteriorating, the result can be dimming or flickering lights. The best way to resolve this is by contacting a professional Las Vegas electrician who can better assess what is needed, understands the internal structure, and may have a replacement component. 

Warm Wall Outlets or Switch Plates

Analyzing whether an outlet is warm can be done in several ways, such as touching the plate with the back of your hand, seeing a blackened wall plate, or whether you get a mild shock upon touch. A warm outlet indicates loose or faulty wiring. All of these are fire hazards and should be regularly checked to ensure everyone’s safety. If you feel warmth or a shock from touching an outlet, contact an electrician immediately.

Burning Smell

A sudden burning smell can be due to several serious problems, including exposed or damaged wiring, a poorly installed circuit, an overloaded circuit board, or a fire. Since this may indicate impending danger, it’s vital to call an expert electrician as soon as possible to assess and help.

Tripping Circuit Breakers

A “tripping” circuit means that too much electricity flows through it or that it cannot handle the excess current load. This is possibly caused by too many amps being in the circuit or singed wires and cannot be fixed with a simple reset. 

Unaccommodating Plug-Ins 

Unaccommodating outlets are also a key sign that you need to call an electrician. Oftentimes, older homes possess two-prong outlets, but not three-prong outlets. This difference is important, because a three-prong outlet has a ground wire, which directs any surge of excess electricity to safely flow into the ground. A two-prong does not have this wire, and this means that you could overpower your outlet.

Multiple Extension Cords

Having multiple extension cords or circuits with duplex receptacles indicates that your system is working beyond capacity. This can cause the wiring to blow out, which can cause damage to the home’s electrical system. An experienced electrician can help to remedy this issue by adding on additional circuits or receptacles. 

Buzzing Walls

A buzzing sound is often the circuit breaker humming due to an overload of electrical current or poorly installed ground wires. It could also imply that there is a loose screw or that water is leaking onto the wire or circuit breaker. 

Rug Bumps

Some homes have electrical wiring that runs underneath rugs or along the skirting boards, creating bumps in the floor. These bumps are a sign that outlets throughout the house are too far apart or being overused, and must be run beneath the carpet to reach the closest, free outlet. This can cause fire hazards or may indicate that the house needs additional outlets, which can be safely installed by an electrician.

Do You Need Residential Electrical Services?

There are other reasons to contact a professional electrician in Las Vegas, such as if you’re moving into a new home or if your multi-family building or home’s electrical setup is outdated. When is it time to call an electrician? The best answer is: Whenever you’re concerned there may be an electrical problem, a fire hazard, or when there is a need to update electrical equipment.

We are a Las Vegas-based company offering proficient residential electrical services that tackle a multitude of electrical issues, from repairing a broken circuit to rewiring the outlets on a remodeled portion of your home. If you’re looking for trustworthy electricians in Las Vegas, contact us today or learn more about our residential electrical services.