Living in a fast-growing city like Austin, Texas, can be one’s dream. You get all the comforts and facilities to make your house a cozy, safe corner for everyone under its roof. Think of electricity, for instance. A modern home runs on power to fulfill your daily needs of air conditioning, hot water, and much more. However, what do you do when the indispensable electrical systems face problems? Often, most hints go unnoticed by homeowners, taking an unwanted shape and form. In Austin, residents often complain about circuit breaker tripping, power outlets not working, or bulbs frequently burning out. They can troubleshoot these on their own with essential knowledge and expertise. But some areas of electrical systems deserve professional intervention. Let’s delve into them.
- Flickering lights
One can assume this to be the result of loose electrical wires. It particularly stands a ground if just one light fixture is affected. However, the same issue with multiple light fixtures in different rooms should make you suspicious about the circuit. You can call an Austin handyman for assistance. Witnessing the flickering issue all over the house means something has gone wrong with the breaker box or the overhead electrical line (utility drop).
- Aluminum wiring
After copper became pricey between the 60s and 70s, homeowners moved to single-thread aluminum wires. While lab tests initially found them a suitable replacement for copper at a lower cost, the faster oxidization risks of the aluminum were discovered down the line. It demonstrated higher exposure to fire breakouts due to quick heating. Hence, the US consumer authorities prohibited using aluminum wiring for the 55 times higher fire damage risks. Still, some homes can have aluminum wires. Do you feel your house’s electrical connections run on aluminum wires? It’s better to seek help with rewiring immediately. How do you detect the issue? Aluminum wires are usually dull silver or gray colors. You can also examine the wire sheathing for an ‘AL’ mark.
- Loose power outlets
Do the internal elements of the power outlet move when you plug your cord into it? In that case, it’s time to open the outlet and fix everything. Otherwise, wires will be free, and the chances of sparks and shorts will also increase. Unattended cables can also lead to fire situations. While it’s a DIY project, you can still engage a handyman for a safe and secure service. After consulting with you, professionals can fix the outlet in its place and change any damaged components. Once resolved, you can continue to use them for a long.
- Tangled wiring
Tangled lines or neatly organized cables work the same way. However, messy wiring is a hint of a slapdash electrical work. It should make you alert and check other electrical systems in the house. Jammed-packed electrical boxes and such other conditions demand urgent attention.
Home improvement experts say calling professionals for electrical work is better, even if some areas look DIY-friendly. One doesn’t know when a simple mistake or error can turn into a monster and burn everything around. However, experienced professionals tend to be extra careful and possess all the knowledge and tools to perform a specific task to perfection.