The Electric Connection’s Blog

smoke filling black background

What Would Make a Smoke Detector Beep at Night?

smoke filling black backgroundThere is nothing scarier than hearing your smoke detector go off in the middle of the night. You get worried that you left the fire on, or your kids forgot to put off the stove. You might eventually realize nothing that can start a fire is on, but the chirping sound persists.

The reason for this can range from you leaving on something that can trigger your smoke detector to other technical issues.

Why Does Your Smoke Detector Keep Making Sounds?

The following factors might be responsible for the chirping or whiny sounds your smoke detector makes at night:

  • Your smoke alarm is old.

The simple reason your smoke detector is always beeping at odd hours of the day, especially at night, could be because it is old. An outdated alarm system will malfunction, meaning it needs to be replaced immediately.

Ideally, a good smoke alarm system should last for 10 years, but in between that time, it’s important to have it constantly checked by a professional electrician. When your smoke detector is nearing the end of its life, the chirping sound will increase, but you don’t have to wait for this sound before replacing your smoke alarm.

  • The battery is weak.

Most smoke alarms use alkaline batteries, which are powered by a reaction between manganese dioxide and zinc metal. Temperature affects the emission of this energy connection, and so an alkaline battery is 2% less effective after the first year when stored at room temperature. At 85°F and 100°F, the alkaline battery loses 5% and 25% energy, respectively.

Even when you try to preserve their power by freezing them, colder temperatures will still affect alkaline batteries. A hot temperature drains the battery life faster, a cold temperature causes slow battery discharge, leading to a weaker voltage being transmitted into the smoke alarm.

To prevent further unnecessary beeping at night, always replace the batteries in your smoke detector, and test the alarms weekly to ensure they are working.

  • There’s a drop in the room’s temperature

The beeping sounds your alarm makes are to alert you to a fire or smoke outbreak, or low battery. Sometimes, a drop in room temperature can cause a false fire alarm or low battery alert. Between 2-6 am, most houses are cold, making the smoke detector chirp a low battery warning. When the temperature warms up a few degrees, the sounds will stop.

Also, when a battery is about to expire, the drop in power impacts the battery’s output. This causes the battery to enter low battery mode more often, lowering the effectiveness of the smoke detector system and making it chirp unnecessarily. There isn’t much you can do in this case, but to have your smoke detector checked constantly and replace their batteries regularly.

What To Do When Your Smoke Detector Constantly Beeps at Night?

Apart from the tips shared above, have a professional electrician near you to inspect your smoke detector system once in a few months just to be on the safe side.

The Electric Connection has professional electricians who carry out routine checks, repair, and replacement of smoke detectors.

 

recessed lighting installed in home

Recessed Ceiling Light Issues

recessed lighting installed in homeRecessed ceiling lighting is a common feature in most modern homes because of its suitability in any part of a house. The recessed ceiling light fixture is popular for its cost-effectiveness as it has a high illuminating quality. It is also more reliable than some other ceiling lighting options and gives a beautiful aesthetic effect to the home.

This ceiling light type makes every room look well lit and effortlessly beautiful.

But regardless of how effective and aesthetically functional recessed ceiling lighting can be, it usually develops some common faults. Like most home electrical appliances, recessed ceiling light requires regular maintenance, and sometimes, repair or replacement. This article explains why and when you have recessed ceiling light issues.

Why Is Your Recessed Ceiling Light Not Working?

If you or a licensed electrician fixed your recessed ceiling light properly from the start, it shouldn’t have issues such as blinking on and off for a long time. However, there are certain reasons why your recessed ceiling light is having issues. Below are some of them:

  • The bulb blew up or got damaged. 

Bulbs are designed to blow up or burn out from full-term usage. Once a bulb completes its lifecycle, it can die out with no external influence, such as overheating. However, one of the main reasons your recessed ceiling light goes off is because the bulb has suddenly burned out.

Always inspect your light bulb when this happens, but ensure you keep the switch off and let the bulb cool before extracting the bulb from the enclosed case. If there are black or grey spots on the glass, it means the bulb has burned out. All you need to do is buy a new bulb and replace it.

  • You have a weak and damaged socket. 

A weak or damaged socket is hardly the number one cause of recessed ceiling light issues, but it is a big possibility. When sockets malfunction, it affects outlets connected to them. Watch out for buzzing sounds coming from your wall sockets and light switches. They might indicate a faulty socket and explain why you’ve been replacing your ceiling bulbs too often.

  • Inaccurate Wattage.

Using a bulb with an inaccurate wattage in the wrong place can lead to overheating, which causes your bulb to burn. Always check to ensure that the wattage of your light bulb matches the recommended light fixture rating. You might need to go for a lower or higher wattage light bulb if your recessed ceiling light is getting blown constantly, or isn’t working.

  • Your light trim is sagging.

You will experience recessed ceiling light issues if the light trim is sagging. The ideal thing is for your recessed ceiling lights to stick firmly to your ceiling. When the light trim sags, it will disconnect your bulb from the light fixture.

This causes the off-and-on blinking you might experience. You should get such lighting issue checked immediately as it could be a potential fire hazard waiting to happen.

Why You Shouldn’t Fix Your Recessed Ceiling Light Issues Yourself. 

It is easy to think you can get these lighting problems fixed yourself by watching a few YouTube videos or reading a step-by-step how-to article.

However, it is always better to get a licensed electrician near you to check and fix the ceiling light issues for you. Getting an experienced electrician will also save you time and stress. Contact The Electric Connection for all your recessed ceiling light issues.

electrician pulling wires through wall

House Rewiring Importance

electrician pulling wires through wallWiring is a critical part of the home that may cause hazards if not given proper attention. This means that you should not leave your home wiring to deteriorate and you should test your wiring every five years, whether or not you’re just moving in.

If you’ve been wondering if you should embark on a rewiring project for your home or not, here are a few things you should know about house rewiring and its importance.

When Should I Consider Rewiring?

When your home needs rewiring, it will often display signs that may indicate that it is time for a house rewire. If you’ve noticed any of these, you might need to get in touch with an electrician quickly:

  • Weird electrical noises like crackling or buzzing
  • Circuit breakers or fuses blowing too often
  • Odd discolorations around sockets or on plugs
  • A burning smell from sockets
  • Constant light flickering
  • The house is up to 25 years old
  • old-fashioned Fuse box
  • Lead, fabric, or rubber cabling insulation

Importance of House Rewiring

  • For Safety
    This is the number one importance of house rewiring. Your house should be safe from fire or electrical hazards, and shocks that may result from power fluctuations because of wires without insulation. Bad wiring is also bad for your appliances, your wires may melt and burn too.
  • Separate Circuits
    One reason why a home rewiring is better is that it lets you establish different circuits for some of the important appliances in your home, like the deep freezer, security alarm system, or water heater. This protects the vital appliances from being affected when the other less vital appliances cause the switch to trip.
  • Protection From the Elements
    In unfavorable conditions like heat waves, wires with insufficient coatings or brittle plastic insulations may be hazardous. When you rewire, you get the opportunity to replace these old wires with new ones that have better insulation. This way, you won’t have to worry about unfavorable conditions like heat.
  • Improves Value
    Just in case you have plans of ever putting your home up for sale, a rewiring may help you sell at top market price. It adds to the overall value, appeal, and safety. You may also include motion sensor lighting, security system, dimming lights, and anything else that could improve your home value. It is advisable to not wait until the wiring becomes a problem, take the initiative, and upgrade.

If you’re purchasing an older property, it is in your best interest to check the wiring condition and ask for an electrical inspection certificate that is up to date. If the seller cannot produce this, then request a wiring assessment by an electrical contractor before purchasing the property. At The Electric Connection, not only do we handle electric wiring inspections, but we also handle house rewiring. A rewiring project can be expensive, but it’s worth it for all the benefits.

If you know you need to do this, don’t hesitate to call us and begin your upgrade process sooner.

electrician holding open outdoor gfci cover next to open junction box

GFCI Outlet Won’t Reset

electrician holding open outdoor gfci cover next to open junction boxYou will find the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, also sometimes known as a GFCI outlet, wherever there’s electricity. This built-in breaker is usually found in places like the bathroom, kitchen, or any other area prone to shorting and trips when it detects a ground fault or a short. They are reliable for the use of electricity, but may sometimes fail.

In such cases, it can easily be reset or retested with a button, but what happens when the GFCI outlet just won’t reset?

What to Do?

Don’t panic if the GCFI won’t reset. Keep reading to find out how to fix the problem:

  • Figure out the cause

It may be tricky to figure why the GFCI Outlet won’t reset, but ultimately, confirm if the problem is from the circuit or the outlet. It may be best to let an electrician do this for you.

You can check if the other outlets have power flowing through them by using a voltage tester. If you realize that there’s power flowing through the other outlets, then the problem is from that singular outlet. However, if you notice that none of the lights or outlets have power flowing through, then it is a circuit problem. You could also try unplugging whatever is plugged into the GFCI outlet and see if you can finally reset.

  • Check Circuits

Once you find that some lights or outlets aren’t working too, then head for the electrical panel, usually found in the laundry room, garage, or basement. When at the electrical panel, look out for the circuit breaker and check that none is out of order. If any is, then they’re tripped and you can reset. If it keeps happening, then it is likely an overload issue, and the circuit isn’t powerful enough.

  • Assess Problem

If the breaker is reset and the GFCI trips again, and often, it might be a leak and you should call an electrician as soon as possible. Before the electrician arrives, here are a few things you can assess:

  1. Check if the reset button pops out. If it doesn’t, maybe the outlet is defective, or you did not push hard enough.
  2. Check if the reset button stays in or pops out when you plug something in and put it on. If it pops out, it could be incorrect wiring or a ground fault.
  3. If the connected devices still work when the reset button pops out, then it may be a circuit interrupter problem (rare) or reversed line and load problem.
  4. If the lights or plugged devices work; if they don’t, then maybe the GFI is defective, miswired, or not receiving up to 120 volts.
  • Check for Faulty Connections

Your GFCI Outlet may not reset because of bad wiring; there may be a loose connection in form of loose terminal screws, loose wires at the connectors, and loose stab-in connections.

If all of this is too sophisticated for you, then it is safest to call a licensed electrician to check out everything and fix the problem. Electricity is risky and should not be toyed with or handled by an amateur. Our technicians at the Electric Connection will handle it all for you. Book an appointment now!

electrician holding open outdoor gfci cover next to open junction box

Where are GFCI Outlets Required?

electrician holding open outdoor gfci cover next to open junction boxGFCIs or Ground-fault circuit interrupters, safety devices installed on electrical outlets, otherwise called electrical receptacles. You can also find them on extension cords, circuit breakers, and other supported electrical appliances.

GFCIs pick up fluctuations in the electrical current of your electrical equipment, then switch off that particular appliance to reduce the electric shock that could be transferred into your body. Most GFCI protective outlets can be found in areas of the home where there’s both electricity and water.

What Parts Of Your Home Should Have GFCI Outlets?

The recommendation of the National Electrical Code (NEC) on GFCI requirements for home units in Article 210.8 is that GFCI outlets be installed for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp receptacles in the locations below:

  • Your bathrooms

    Your bathroom is a high risk-level area as water is usually everywhere. All outlets here must be GFCI proof.

  • Your laundry and utility sinks.

    You have your washing units (washing machine and dryer) which are powered by electricity. So, GFCI protection is necessary for your laundry room where the receptacles are within six feet of the exterior edge of your sink.

  • Crawl spaces

    Crawl places are uncompleted areas in your building that are below grade level. They also require GFCI protection, especially if the spaces double as storage space.

  • Your garages and outdoor buildings

    Your garage is on a floor below grade level, meaning it isn’t a living area. However, it needs GFCI protection, even though it is limited to a storage or temporary work area.

    Other outdoor receptacles/outlets, except for the ones you have limited access to, should also be GFCI-protected. For example, areas powered by a fixed branch circuit for electric snow-melting.

  • Pool and spa rooms

    There are pumps, fountains, and other water source in your pool area and spa room. All outlets within 20 feet of your pool, water fountains, and spa should be GFCI-proof.

  • Uncompleted basements

    Just like crawl spaces, uncompleted basements are areas of your basement that are unoccupied or lived in. They are used as storage space, or sometimes as working areas.

    But the receptacles in these areas still require GFCI protection to prevent damage to appliances caused by moisture. The only exception to this rule for basement GFCI protection is when the receptacles of the system powering equipment are permanently fixed or not easily accessible. For example, your burglar alarm and fire alarm systems.

  • Your kitchen

    All electrical outlets in your kitchen, especially your countertop areas, should have GFCI protection. Receptacles with six feet of your sink or near your dishwasher should also be GFCI-protected.

  • Although the NEC is the highest authority for creating and implementing electrical rules and regulations, consult with your local building authority on the best GFCI requirements or recommendations.

    Why You Need An Electrical Contractor For Your GFCI outlets Installation

    There are specific requirements and codes of conduct guiding the installation of electric outlets or anything electric in your home. Trying to fix GFCIs in your receptacles without a professional background in electrical engineering isn’t wise.

    You can damage the outlets, or do it wrong and that can affect your electrical connection in the future. You might also end up wasting resources such as materials and your time. Contacting a reliable electrical contractor such as the Electric Connection will ensure you’re following the right GFCI requirements for your home.

pasadena city hall building

Important Facts About Pasadena & Recently Completed Electrical Jobs

pasadena city hall buildingAs an old American city, Pasadena gained its popularity mostly through its annual Tournament of Roses, which is a combination of the Rose Bowl, a football game, the Rose Parade, and other outdoor events.

This historic city is one of America’s finest, with many centers of attraction and innovations, including the Pasadena Playhouse, the California Institute of Technology, Huntington Library, and the Norton Simon Museum.

With a population of about 142,000 people, with its Craftsman bungalows and an allure of prosperity, the city of Pasadena draws in both tourists and new settlers daily.

5 Major Facts About Pasadena

Pasadena means ‘valley’ in the Ojibwa Indian language from the Chippewa tribe. Over the years, it has been interpreted as ‘Crown of the Valley’ or ‘Key of the Valley’. This modern interpretation is represented as a crown and a key on the city’s official seal.
Below are some facts that make Pasadena a sought-after city:

  1. Residential Homes Appreciate Yearly
    It is not cheap to live in Pasadena as the cost of housing increases daily. Housing prices and rents are competitive because it is a prime city, especially because of the engineering, scientific, educational, and historic properties/institutions in the city.
    This is beneficial for natives and residents because their houses appreciate whether or not they constantly renovate them.
  2. It is tourist-friendly
    The Rose Tournament, side attractions, and historic sites make Pasadena a widely visited tourist destination. Also, the city is large enough that you would mostly need public transportation to get around.

    However, it is also quite pedestrian-friendly because most entertainment spots, such as the Playhouse District, are within walking distance of motels and hotels. If you want to visit farther attractions such as Hollywood areas that require visitor access, you can decide to tour by bus or train.

  3. It is home to celebrities
    Pasadena has increasingly attracted more celebrities over the years because of the small hometown charm it still exudes. With prized properties that have historical significance, it is no wonder that Hollywood stars such as Meryl Streep and Kristen Wiig, as well as various celebrities, want to call Pasadena home. Who knows, you might just bump into a star on your way from the grocery store!
  4. Small town charm friendly people.
    Reviews from different people who have visited and lived in Pasadena attest to the fact that Pasadena has not only the small-town charm you like, but that its people are equally charming. They also seem to care about how you’re faring. It will be easy to settle in or get any information you might need.
  5. Easy access to basic amenities.
    Apart from its charming citizens, Pasadena also has mostly everything you’ll need within walking distance or a few minutes at the most. You have access to several restaurants, grocery stores, supermarkets, freeways, and even plumbing services!

How Easy It Is To Get Electrical Services In Pasadena

When you’re just visiting a new place, you never plan for any mishap that might occur. Pasadena has a long list of electrical services so much that you won’t find it hard to get an electrician near you.

The Electric Connection has been around in Pasadena for years and we respond as soon as you call on us.

Check out some of our more recently completed electrical jobs in Pasadena

main panel upgrade in pasadena
Main Panel Upgrade
nema 1450 installation for tesla charger in pasadena
NEMA 1450 Installation for Tesla
outdoor lighting installation in pasadena
Outdoor Lighting Installation
tesla wall connector installation in pasadena
Tesla Wall Connector Installation
glendale galleria

About Glendale & Recently Completed Electrical Jobs

Glendale is an urban-suburban city in Los Angeles County, California, with the fourth-largest size in the county. With an estimated population of 203,054 as of 2017, the city spans around 30.6 sq m. Glendale was incorporated in 1906, on February 16th and has been an excellent city and a great residential environment for people looking to live in California.

Glendale is typically a liberal city with mostly young professionals, and is surrounded by four major districts and freeways:

  • 210 Foothill Freeway
  • SR-2 Glendale Freeway
  • 1-5 Golden State Freeway
  • And the ST-134 Ventura Freeway

Neighborhood

There are a variety of neighborhood choices, from the downtown to the suburbs. There are parks, bars, coffee shops, and restaurants in all the neighborhoods, making it a comfortable city for both families and individuals.

Large and Small Businesses

Within Glendale, there are several well-known company headquarters like The Walt Disney Company along with The Walt Disney Imagineering, ABC7, DreamWorks Animation, IHOP Corporation, ServiceTitan, Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks, Public Storage, LegalZoom, and Baxter BioScience.

There are large retail shopping malls like The Americana at Brand and The Glendale Galleria. The former is a major attraction, forming the city, town square, and the latter is the largest retail shopping mall in Southern California. There are over twenty major financial institutions in the city and three excellent hospitals.

Small businesses also thrive in the city, serving both visitors and residents in the community. Glendale’s central location makes it an excellent location for businesses to thrive, attracting employers, which also equals an availability of jobs.

Transportation

Glendale is efficient in its provision of well-maintained streets and a wide range of transportation services. Because of its location in the middle of 4 major freeways, there is easy access for workers, customers, and residents from all over the region. Glendale also provides its very own bus services, with over thirteen routes connecting individuals to the Metrolink Stations in Glendale and Burbank, The City of Burbank, and The Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Glendale is also part owner of the Hollywood Burbank Airport, which is close to the city of Burbank. There are several major airlines offering flight services, and so the airport provides direct flights to lots of major hubs across the country.

There is also the Bob Hope Airport serving Pasadena, San Fernando Valley, and Glendale. The Los Angeles International Airport, a world-class airport with modern facilities, outstanding air/land/sea connections, and a convenient location, is also about thirty minutes from Glendale.

Amenities

Glendale provides top-notch services to its community. As a full-service city, it provides full water and electrical supply. It owns and operates a power plant that can meet the city’s entire electrical needs. However, a major source of power is imported to save costs. The city’s water source is primarily the Metropolitan Water District and local wells.

Education

We also know Glendale for its outstanding schools where students are found thriving. There are also independent and parochial schools in the city.

Glendale Community College has achieved an excellent reputation and is one of California’s biggest two-year colleges.

If you’re searching for an excellent place to live and work, you can hardly go wrong with Glendale.

Recent Glendale Electrical Jobs Completed

If you’re looking for an electrician in Glendale, look no further! The Electric Connection can help with any job, big or small. Check out some of our recently completed jobs.

tesla charger plugged into nema 14-50
Install NEMA 14-50 for Tesla charger
tesla wall connector mounted on outside wall
Install Tesla Wall Connector
tesla wall connector installed on outside wall
Install Tesla Wall Connector
new sub panel
Replaced sub panel

Should I Have An Electrician Install A Chandelier Near Me?

hanging chandelierPeople either think chandeliers are too fancy, traditional, or just right for their homes.

There are several benefits of choosing to hang a chandelier and here are some:

  • Chandeliers help you save more space. If you need a table or floor lighting for small areas, you can substitute it with a chandelier. There are various styles and sizes to help you find what best suits your needs.
  • They give you more impact. There’s no ignoring how a chandelier can transform even a plain room into a magical space. It immediately grabs attention and highlights the best parts of the room.
  • Chandeliers are versatile in the home décor space. No matter the look, feel, or vibe you are going for, there’s likely a chandelier to match it perfectly.

Best areas to hang a chandelier in the home

  • The dining room.

This is an obvious place to start with shimmering chandelier lights to create an enchanting dining space that even visitors can be amazed by.

  • The living room

Give your most visited part of the home some sparkle or class with a fitting chandelier. Use it to complement your décor.

  • The bedroom.

Could any other room need a chandelier as badly as the bedroom? A pro tip is to choose designs with candle lights or something that speaks comfort.

Rules for hanging a chandelier

  • Pick the right size.

A large room can swallow a small chandelier and unbalance the space. Always consider the room’s the room’s length and width measurements to determine the right chandelier size.

  • Operation

A chandelier always produces a large amount of light, especially if the chandelier is large. Consider installing a dimmer switch to operate your chandelier to reduce the amount of light it produces. Or customize the mode of operation based on your needs.

  • Height and location.

Always hang your chandelier at the proper height. Ensure your ceiling will support the weight of your chandelier wherever you choose to hang it.

Who installs a chandelier?

An experienced electrician near you should install the chandelier. While you may be able to install a chandelier yourself depending on your experience with light fixtures, installing a chandelier can be dangerous.

You undertake the risks of falling, dropping the chandelier, or shocking yourself when you choose to DIY the installation.

An electrician near you is a better option for the following reasons –

  • They have access to resources you may not have
  • A professional electrician is skilled at this, and better equipped to handle the risks
  • Any experienced electrician has likely installed dozens of chandeliers over the years, so you can be confident they know what they’re doing.
  • They are your only option when you need to install a chandelier in a spot that isn’t already wired.

The costs for the installation vary from home to home depending on factors like labor costs, size of the chandelier, location, height, already wired or not wired area, and so on.

When you reach out to your trusted and licensed electrician, they can provide an accurate quote.

 

What to do when Tesla Charger is flashing red?

tesla wall connectorSo you finally have your Tesla charger installed and after some time you notice a flashing red light.

Red hardly ever means well, so you’re right to worry about it.

We’ve gathered the troubleshooting tips you need to handle this situation on your own or with a Tesla certified electrician.

If the light is a solid red

A solid red light on your Tesla charger could mean an internal fault and that the wall connector needs to be replaced. An electrician can confirm this. But your troubleshooting solution is to turn off the breaker supplying your Tesla charger with power and turn it back on.

If there’s no change and you still see the solid red light, contact Tesla with your product information.

If you see one red blink

One red blink on your Tesla charger could mean there’s a GFCI. Start your solution with an inspection of all the parts, including the handle, cable, Wall Connector, and vehicle charge port for damage or signs of water ingress.

Then, call an electrician to check that the ground wire is not directly connected to a conductor wire in the branch circuit.

If you see two red blinks

Two red blinks indicate a different problem from one red blink. It might mean there’s a ground assurance fault or possibly a high ground resistance has been detected.

Call an electrician to see if your charger is properly grounded or if any physical connections have such issues.

For three red blinks

This indicates a high temperature detected by your charger.

Inspect the physical parts of the wall connector, including the faceplate and cable, for warmth. Regardless of if you notice excessive warmth or not, call an electrician quickly to verify that the conductors used are sized correctly and there’s no danger from the connector.

For four red blinks

Thankfully, four red blinks just mean a disruption with the internet connection. Check for the cause of this interference. Like a changed password, working router, etc.

Fixing the reason should solve the problem.

For Five Red Blinks

If your Tesla charger is flashing red in five red blinks, it could mean there was a power-sharing communication issue. Hence, the charging speed has been reduced. Troubleshooting this is just like that of four red blinks, check for the interference, and try re-linking your wall connector.

When no lights come on

It’s not just flashing red lights you might have to worry about. An absence of light from your Tesla charger means there is no power supply coming in from the breaker panel.

Check if the breaker was turned off. Switch it on and off yourself and if there are no changes, call an electrician to check.

For Six Red Blinks

Flashing red lights 6 times means there’s too much voltage or poor grid quality detected. If you’re using the level 2 charger, the power supply should be nominal 200-240 volts. Have an electrician remove the Wall Connector from the wire box and confirm that voltage readings are correct.

For most problems with your wall connector, you can either reach out to Tesla or call an electrician to take a look.

 

Signs for a Long Beach House Rewire

houses in long beachIt’s important to pay attention to changes in your electrical system. The subtle signs that try to let you know on time that there’s a problem before things spiral out of control.

The reason this matters is to keep you and your family safe from safety hazards like a fire. Did you know that each year the U.S. fire departments respond to at least 25,900 home electrical fires? Reports from the U.S Fire administration show that these fires result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and billions in property loss.

Electrical fires are sometimes to blame for many of these incidents.

The best way to protect your Long Beach house is to never ignore the signs, especially when they indicate the need for a house rewire.

Here are some signs you need a Long Beach house rewire –

  • Blown fuses or tripped breakers
    Your breakers might trip once in a while to protect your appliances from a sudden electrical surge. When this happens, it’s easy to get everything back to normal by resetting the breaker. However, if your breakers are tripping frequently, then that’s a problem. It’s the same with blown fuses when you use a fuse box.
  • Flickering or dimming lights
    When your licks flicker, dim, or buzz like something out of a horror movie, then it’s worth looking into. Note when this happens- is it when you turn on an appliance? Switch on the lights? The details will be important for your electrician to know.
  • Frayed or chewed wiring
    This is usually caused by pets and rodents and is a dangerous shock hazard. Frayed or chewed wiring can also lead to further damage to your electrical system.
  • Burning smells
    A burning smell near an outlet or electrical wiring is the most obvious sign of electrical problems in a home. It’s an unmistakable smell that should be responded to immediately. Quickly turn off your breaker if you discover such a sign.
  • Scorch marks or warm outlets
    Like burning smells, this sign is also easy to spot and highly dangerous. It can lead to a fire in the home. Turn off the breaker and call an electrician in Long Beach.
  • Other signs of a home rewire are:

    • Loose outlets around the home
    • Living in an old home with old and outdated wiring
    • Using multiple extension cords
    • When there are ungrounded, two-pronged outlets in the home
    • If you’re making home improvements or adding new appliances
    • If your home has knob and tube or aluminum wiring

    How to know for sure that you need a house rewire

    Although these are all signs of faults in your electrical wiring, it is important to let a licensed electrician confirm. Hire a Long Beach electrician for an inspection to tell you if you simply need repairs or a full house rewire.