There’s something so alluring about older homes; compared to today’s buildings, they’re built stronger and have withstood the test of time—continuing to do so—which adds to their appeal. Melbourne boasts a couple of these still-standing buildings that add to the city’s character. Be that as it may, living in an older home also comes with risks, such as the threat of electrical problems because of old wiring systems. But if you can spot the early warning signs and potential electrical hazards, you can safeguard your home from unlikely events, which we’ll discuss in today’s article.
How to spot common electrical hazards.
Electrical problems can happen to anyone, regardless of whether they have older homes or not. In unlikely cases, they could happen by accident, which is why Melbourne electricians are constantly on the lookout for such. In any case, many other structures showcase early warning signs, caused by certain factors like the following:
Outdated wiring. The majority of homes today use modern wiring systems; they are either made up of non-metallic sheathed cables (NM) or armored cables. However, for some older homes, residents may discover that their residences still use the older wiring system, which is the knob and tube (K&T). Residences that have this wiring system cannot incorporate their homes with smart home wiring, and what’s worse is that this type of wiring system is prone to overheating and lacks proper grounding.
Grounding refers to the process of connecting excess electricity to the ground through a wire of an electrical device. Compared to its modern counterpart, you can also spot outdated wirings because they openly run through walls or ceilings. Some of the warning signs of outdated wiring problems are warm or hot outlets or switches, as well as frequent blown fuses. Other homes also suffer tripped circuit breakers, so it’s best to call your local residential electrician as soon as this happens.
Overload in electrical capacity. In line with the old wiring system, another problem seen in older homes is insufficient electrical capacity. Many of our current appliances and electronic devices require increased power demands, something the older ones cannot accommodate because of their limited electrical load capacity. This poses an alarming problem, especially for mixed-use structures that double as residential and commercial buildings.
A commercial electrician needs to thoroughly inspect and compute the current electrical load to see if it can accommodate additional devices the residents have in mind or else suffer electrical problems. Similar to the aforementioned, one of the telltale signs of old wiring system issues related to this concern is dimming lights or a burning odor, especially when multiple appliances are in use. Circuit breaker trips can also happen, which is why it’s important to have your home checked first before deciding to increase the electrical load as needed by new appliances and devices.
Grounding issues. As mentioned earlier, the old wiring system lacks grounding, which increases the chance of electrical shock or grounding. You can easily discern this problem if you feel a zap upon touching metal fixtures or appliances; similarly, you can also experience grounding if you touch two-prong or three-prong outlets.
Faulty wiring and components. We’ve mentioned earlier how older structures have been sturdier built because of the past materials, but this does not apply to all aspects of a building. Older electrical wiring systems deteriorate due to several factors like age, wear, and even pests and natural factors. Keep an eye out for flickering lights, damaged insulation, or even loose wiring that can lead to sparks or arcing from outlets.
How to prevent electrical hazards in older homes.
Although there are a lot of concerns brought about by older wiring systems, some houses still work okay because they’re well taken care of. As concerning as electrical problems are, as long as you do the following, you can prevent electrical hazards in your older home.
Conduct regular inspections. One of the easiest and most crucial things you should do is to be mindful of your electrical wiring system. Although it would be good to do a clean sweep of your residence, it’s best to call a qualified electrician to check your current system. By conducting a thorough inspection, they can assess the current condition and recommend solutions based on their findings, apart from identifying potential hazards.
Perform regular maintenance. As homeowners, you should also be responsible for the regular maintenance of your electrical wiring system. Make it a point to inspect your electrical cords for signs of wear like fraying or cracking whenever you can. These usually lead to exposed wires, so replace damaged ones as soon as you can.
When it comes to using your appliances, monitor and avoid using your appliances and devices simultaneously to avoid overloading your circuits. Avoid octopus wiring and plugging in too many appliances at once.
Don’t forget to check your GFCIs. Ground fault circuit interrupters are fast-acting circuit breakers used to cut off power in case of faults. These are usually located in the bathroom, kitchen, and outdoor area—spaces where water and other natural elements often come in contact. Like every other receptacle and outlet, make sure you also check these regularly.
Upgrade your electrical panel. An outdated fuse box is like Pandora’s box; if possible, have it upgraded to the current models of circuit breaker panels by a licensed electrician since the newer models have better safety features. Additionally, they can also accommodate bigger electrical demands, but just to be sure, it’s best to ask for a licensed and professional electrician’s recommendation first.
Improve grounding. You can improve your home’s grounding by installing grounding rods or grounding wires and ensuring these are connected to the rightful outlets and appliances.
Replace your wiring system. If you have the old knob and tube wiring system, it’s best to have it upgraded to the current wiring system by a licensed and professional electrician.
Older homes come with a lot of unique electrical challenges, but it’s nothing you can’t handle as long as you monitor them closely under the guidance of a licensed and professional electrician. By keeping an eye out for potential electrical hazards and other electrical issues, homeowners can not only lower the risk of fire or electrical accidents but also significantly improve the energy efficiency of their residences.
