If you begin to notice problems with flickering lights or circuit breaker trips, you may wonder whether these can be signs that your house needs rewiring. Instead of losing sleep over this, consider hiring a professional electrical services provider in Abington, MA, to inspect any outdated wiring and determine whether immediate rewiring is necessary.
Learn when you should consider calling an electrician for help if you’re worried about your home’s wiring.
1. You Have a Fuse Box Instead of a Circuit Panel
Considering that about half of the homes in Abington, MA, were built before the 1960s, it’s quite possible that you have a fuse box instead of a more modern circuit breaker. Local building codes permit homeowners to retain a fuse box if one was originally installed with the home.
A local licensed electrician can advise you on whether an upgrade would make more sense for your property.
2. Your House Has Outdated Wiring
If you know your house has aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring, treat this as a clear sign of needing replacement.
Aluminum wiring may appear in some older homes in Abington, MA, especially those built between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s, and can become brittle with age, increasing the risk of a fire. If this sounds familiar, take some time to investigate the cost of rewiring a house and replacing the aluminum wiring with copper wiring.
Meanwhile, knob-and-tube wiring is even older than aluminum and is often found in homes built before the 1950s. Although this type of wiring can be safe to use when it is in good condition, it’s also better to replace it with modern copper wiring. A local electrician can conduct a thorough assessment and determine whether it needs immediate replacement.
3. You Notice Flickering Lights in Your Home in Abington, MA
Flickering or dimming lights are one of the most obvious signs of an electrical problem. The wiring might be loose at the point where it connects to the lighting fixture, or the cause may run even deeper. Some older wires have sustained damage from prolonged use over several years, resulting in issues with arcing.
Light fixtures with bad wiring often experience voltage fluctuations, which increase the chance of starting a fire, so it’s always in your best interest to get them looked at sooner rather than later.
4. You Have Loose, Buzzing, or Older Outlets
Malfunctioning outlets can be one of the more startling signs that a house needs rewiring as soon as possible.
You may notice a burning odor, scorch marks, or a buzzing sound emanating from the malfunctioning outlet. Some people even receive a low-grade electric shock when plugging in appliances. If plugs are falling out of the outlets or if you still have two-prong, ungrounded outlets, consider an upgrade.
Although some outlet problems can be resolved with a simple replacement, rewiring offers many other benefits that make it a worthwhile investment.
If you need rewiring to resolve problems with your outlets, your only option is to hire a licensed electrician. Abington follows the Massachusetts State Electrical Code and the National Electrical Code, both of which require licensed electricians to do any electrical work at your house.
These professionals undergo a rigorous educational and apprenticeship program to serve as the go-to professionals in Abington, MA, and beyond.
5. Your Circuit Breakers Regularly Trip
When circuit breakers constantly trip at your home, you likely have an electrical problem. Frequently, such issues can be traced back to an individual breaker that is wearing out or has too many items running from a single electrical line.
However, it’s possible that the wiring in your home needs immediate replacement to avoid tripping circuit breakers. A licensed electrician can test the wiring and the circuit breaker panel to determine the best course of action for resolving the issue.
Trust Crowe Electric When You Believe Your Home Needs Immediate Rewiring in Abington, MA
Noticing a burning smell or suffering electrical shocks when using outlets are clear signs that something is wrong with your electrical wiring. If you are worried you’re seeing signs a house needs rewiring, make your first call to Crowe Electric. Leaving damaged or old wiring in place could increase the risk of a fire or damage to household appliances.
For an appointment or to request an estimate for rewiring costs, please contact us today. We serve the entire Abington, MA, region, bringing years of experience and passion to every job we take on.