Sure Fire Signs Your Business Needs Electrical Repair Immediately
Buell Electric Blogger • October 3, 2019
When it comes to electrical repair, explore the extreme dangers of faulty wiring and other common issues that pose a threat to you and your business.
If a fire starts in your business building, you can lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not only that, you'll lose your ability to make more money.
And electrical repair problems are one of the main causes
of commercial fires.
Because of this, you need to be aware of common electrical warning signs that could mean your building is at risk of catching on fire. We've put together this guide to help you learn what to look for.
So let's get started.
The Lights Keep Flickering
Flickering lights don't mean there's a ghost floating around your building—at least, not usually. This flickering actually means you have a loose electrical connection somewhere.
If only one light flickers, it's not a big deal. In fact, you can probably fix a single flickering light on your own. But if multiple lights flicker or the entire building starts flickering, you should call a professional electrician
to take care of the problem.
The Outlets Are Hot or Charred
The outlets in your building should never feel hot to the touch. If an outlet ever does feel hot, you should unplug everything in the outlet right away. Don't use that outlet again until you have an electrician take a look.
You may need to cover it up or put a sign over it so your employees know to avoid it.
And don't panic if you have dimmer switches that feel warm. These switches have to dissipate the extra electrical energy to control the brightness of the light, which can make them warm up.
However, if one of these switches feel hot, something's gone wrong.
There Are Problems with the Wires
There are a few different electrical wiring problems you should keep an eye out for in your building. Even though the wires are hard to see, it's worth giving them a once over every now and then.
Here are some of the things you should be aware of.
Aluminum Wires
Back in the 60s and 70s, many buildings were strung up with aluminum wires instead of copper wires. But aluminum oxidizes a lot faster than copper, which causes the wires to get hotter than normal.
This can lead to electric fires.
Aluminum wires are no longer considered safe for homes or businesses. In fact, if your business has aluminum wires, it's 55 times more likely
to catch on fire.
So if you notice your business has aluminum wires, it's time to call your electrician and make a change.
Messy Wires
Messy wires aren't always a problem. They don't have to look nice to get the job done.
But if your wires look like a tangled, knotted mess, it might be a sign that they were installed in a hurry. This might mean some other components of your electrical system aren't up to code.
Have a professional electrician check out any tangled wires just to be safe.
Old Wires
Old wires can't handle the load of electricity many buildings use today. If your building is over 50 years old, you should call an electrician to come update your wiring.
You Smell Something Burning
You shouldn't immediately panic when you smell something burning in your building. The scent might be coming from the office kitchen or something else explainable.
But if you can't find a source for the smell, turn off your electricity right away. If you smell something burning, you might be seconds away from a fire!
The Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
Your circuit breaker's job is to keep electrical circuits from overheating and starting a fire. So if your circuit breaker is constantly tripping, that means something keeps overheating.
You should take that as a warning sign that something is working right.
You Can Hear a Buzzing Sound
The electrical system in your building shouldn't make any noise. A buzzing sound could indicate several problems, including loose prongs or frayed wires.
If you hear a buzzing sound that doesn't seem to be coming from anything else, call an electrician.
You Notice Sparks
The second you see sparks, you should call a professional electrician. Sparks coming out of your fuse box, outlets, or breaker panel is never normal.
However, it's important to make this distinction.
If the sparks are coming from an appliance, like a printer or a computer, it's probably not an electrical issue. In these cases, you should call an appliance repair professional instead.
The Outlets Are Loose
If an outlet is loose, it's slowly disconnecting from the wires inside. This can cause the wires to spark and start fires.
Though a loose outlet might not seem like a big deal, you should get a professional to take care of the problem right away.
You Have Rodents in Your Building
Rodents have a nasty habit of chewing on electrical cords until they're bare. This can lead to overheating, sparks, and fires.
If you ever notice signs of mice or rats
in your building, you should always check on your electrical wires.
Don't Hesitate to Get Electrical Repair for Your Building
An electrical fire can cost your business thousands of dollars in damages. So if you notice any of these warning signs, you should call a professional electrician right away.
Saving a few extra bucks isn't worth the risk of a fire due to electrical repair.
Not sure who to call for help?
We have you covered. Make sure you click here
to get in touch with us today!
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