The Importance of an Electrical Safety Inspection
It’s easy to overlook small electrical issues that occur in your home, the occasional flickering light, a breaker tripping every now and again, or even a small increase in your energy bill month over month. All of these can be signs that there are issues with your home’s electrical system and if gone unchecked can lead to larger, more expensive issues.
Getting a regular electrical safety inspection can safeguard you from these expensive fixes down the line. An electrical safety inspection is a thorough examination of your home’s electrical system to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with all relevant electrical codes. These inspections are crucial, not only for the safety of your home, but your own peace of mind.
What Is an Electrical Safety Inspection?
A skilled electrician can evaluate your home’s electrical system by checking exposed or damaged wiring, wiring and grounding connections, receptacles and switches, your electrical panel and its components, and compliances with GFCI requirements.
When getting an inspection done on your home’s electrical system it is best to ensure it is being completed by a fully licensed electrician as an unlicensed professional may miss critical issues or perform unsafe work leading to further issues with your home electrical system.
It is recommended that you have a routine electrical safety inspection completed every 3-5 years to ensure that no new issues have come up. It is also recommended that you have an inspection done after any large scale renovations or when you are buying/selling a property.
Why Electrical Safety Inspections Matter
There are many issues that can be uncovered during the process of an electrical safety inspection. Things such as faulty wiring or overloaded circuits that could spark fires, ensuring outlets, panels and grounding are safe to avoid shocks, ensuring that the home has no code violations, and detecting outdated or inefficient components that waste energy. Another key reason to get an electrical safety inspection is for property value and insurance reasons. Inspections can protect your investment and reduce liability.
Warning Signs You Might Need One
If you identify any of the following in your home then you should reach out to a licensed electrician to book an electrical safety inspection;
- Frequent breaker trips or blown fuses.
- Burning smells, sparks, or warm outlets.
- Outdated wiring (e.g., aluminum, knob-and-tube).
- Buzzing sounds or flickering lights.
What to Expect During an Inspection
When you have an electrician come out for an inspection they will typically check the following to ensure that there are no issues that need to be brought to your attention; wiring, panels, GFCI outlets, switches, and smoke detectors;
- Wiring
The inspector will examine the type, size, and condition of the wiring, identifying any damage, exposed wires, or improper installation
- Panels
The main source of power is inspected for proper sizing, functioning breakers, signs of overheating and adequate grounding.
- GFCI Outlets & Switches
The electrician will be checking for proper installation, sufficient grounding, correct polarity and the presence of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), especially in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
- Smoke & CO2 Detectors
Ensuring that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are fully functional is crucial in the case of an emergency.
Benefits of Scheduling Regular Inspections
There are many benefits to completing regular electrician safety inspections. Most importantly is the increased safety for your family and the peace of mind that comes with it. In addition to that it will let you catch issues with your electrical system early so that you save on costly repairs. You will also have greater confidence when selling your home or purchasing a new home that there are no hidden issues that will come up down the line and cost you a fortune.
Conclusion
A regular electrical safety inspection is crucial to safety, compliance, and efficiency but most importantly will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is safe for you and your family and you won’t have any unexpected costs due to failures of your electrical system. The most important thing to remember is that an inspection is preventative, don’t wait for a warning sign, schedule an electrical safety inspection to catch anything before it becomes an issue.
For more information on booking an electrical safety inspection call Penfold Electric at 365-886-1294. Expect Tenfold From Penfold!