Mistakes in residential electrical systems are one of the most common causes of fire. Fortunately, the majority of problem areas can be easily fixed if they are addressed before anything goes wrong. Our certified electricians at Piper Electric are happy to offer quick and easy assessments of the electrical infrastructure of your home, which is a great way to prevent future residential electric issues. Here are some of the most common residential electrical mistakes we see during our assessments.

Temporary Becomes Permanent

Letting the temporary become the new normal is a common source of many residential electric mishaps. When people are in a rush to find a short-term solution to a lighting or power problem, they often forget to go back later and reorganize. Extension cords should only be used for temporary power supply, and should not power appliances permanently. The same goes for lighting and wiring used for short-term jobs in residential electric. If you need to make these changes last longer, make sure that a certified electrician signs off on the setup.

Outlets and Switches

Not many people enjoy spending money to upgrade things like wiring and outlets — things that guests won’t notice. But the cost of doing so is certainly worth not having to worry about an electrical fire. It is always a good idea to take an inventory of the outlets and plugs in your home to check if any of them are damaged or out of date. Most of us use plugs and wall outlets every day, and as a result, they are one of the most common sources of electrical problems. Also check for any outlets that are loose, or ill-fitting on your walls, as this can be a source of shocks and overheating.

Overloading in Residential Electric

Despite what you might think, overloading certain areas of the home is still a common problem. Always make a point to spread out the electrical demand from appliances and electronics when possible, to ease the strain on your home’s infrastructure. These problems often overlap with temporary solutions that become permanent. You don’t have to worry about putting three or four plugs on a socket for an afternoon, but don’t let it happen for weeks or months at a time if possible.

Surge Protectors

You probably have a few surge protectors around your home, especially near expensive electronics like televisions and computers. These are important when it comes to keeping you and your possessions safe from surges. However, many people don’t know that surge protectors have a lifespan. When surge protectors trip, they lose a small amount of that lifespan. The longer you have had a protector around, the greater chance it needs to be replaced.

If you’re in the Denver metro area and believe your home’s electrical system needs inspection, or if you have any electrical-related questions, please contact our experts.