3 Common Electrical Issues in Older Homes

Most residential electrical codes and standards are based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), which is updated every three years, rendering many electrical systems in older homes obsolete. If your home has not been professionally inspected by an electrical contractor in more than three years, it is highly likely that your home’s electrical system is no longer up to code.

If you currently live in an older home or are considering buying one, you must work with a professional local electrical contractor to identify and resolve any potential electrical issues that could endanger the home and your family. An older home may be less expensive and more appealing than a newly constructed building, but if your electrical system has not been updated, you may be in for some real trouble.

Here are three examples of electrical problems that are common in older homes:

Dangerously outdated wiring: Did you know that the average house in the United States was built in the 1970s? Aluminum wiring was preferred over copper wiring at the time because it was less expensive. However, we now know that aluminum wiring can be dangerous since the material is more prone to overheating, which can increase the risk of a house fire or electrocution.

Flickering lights: Lights that flicker on their own usually indicate loose and frayed wiring often found in old homes, which can damage electronics and is a leading cause of residential electrical fires in the US.

Ungrounded outlets: Ungrounded outlets (two-prong rather than three-prong) are common in older homes built before the mid-1960s. The risk of electrocution increases greatly if an outlet is not properly grounded, especially in damp environments like bathrooms and kitchens.

Whether you live in an older house or are planning to buy one, ignoring the electrical problems in your home is never worth the risk. In addition, working with electricity can be difficult and risky for an untrained professional. It is a smart idea to hire certified home electrical contractors to ensure your electrical problems are fixed correctly and safely. 

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Created on Nov 12th 2021 05:27. Viewed 244 times.

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