Emergency Electricians: When to Make the Call
Every homeowner knows there’s a time and a place to call in an electrician. Changing a light bulb or flipping a breaker switch hardly every qualifies, but anything involving wiring usually requires the help of an expert. However, it may be more difficult to make the decision about whether to wait until the next business day to call your regular electrician or if an electrical problem warrants an emergency call. Here are some situations where it makes sense to call in a professional no matter what time of day or night.
Sparks from Outlets
If you plug or unplug an electrical device from an outlet and you see sparks, it’s a sure sign you need an electrician ASAP. Sparks mean there is a major wiring problem in your outlet that could lead to a fire. Don’t try to take off the outlet and diagnose the problem yourself. You may end up hurting yourself or making the problem worse. Don’t plug anything else into the outlet and make the call.
Warm Electrical Panel
If put your hand on your home’s electrical panel and it feels warmer than usual, you should call an emergency electrician. This could indicate that one of the breakers or wires is malfunctioning and could start a fire. When you speak with the electrician, explain your problem. He may advise you to shut off power to your home until he can arrive and diagnose the issue.
Sections of the Home Have Issues
If certain sections of your home start having electrical issues like flickering lights or power outages, it could mean something has damaged your wiring. Rodents, loose wires, or a faulty DIY wiring job done by a previous owner could be lurking behind the walls and, if not addressed, could easily cause a fire.
You Lose Power in Adverse Weather
If it’s 100 degrees or 20 below zero, you may not have the luxury if waiting until the next business day to call an electrician when your power goes out. Not only will losing power during extreme hot or cold be miserable for your family, but it can also lead to spoiled food, frozen pipes, and other issues. If your power outage is not a result of weather or issues that are causing neighborhood-wide power problems, you should call an emergency electrician to help get you back up and running.
When it comes to electricity, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you worry that an electrical problem could lead to a fire or other serious issues in your home, always err on the side of caution and call an electrician. If you have any questions on your home’s electrical system, please feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable team.