When it comes to hiring an electrical wiring company, safety should be the top priority for every homeowner. Improper or faulty wiring can lead to fires, shocks, and other hazards that put your home and family at risk. That’s why it’s so important to have qualified electricians handle any electrical work and ensure it meets all codes and safety standards. This article will provide crucial tips on how to prioritize safety with electrical wiring and work only with reputable professionals. Keep reading to learn how to keep your home’s electrical system safe and up-to-date. Want to learn more about the Role of An Electrical Contractor? Check out our last blog post HERE! Get A Quote Why Proper Electrical Wiring Matters Safe and reliable power throughout your home starts with quality electrical wiring installation and maintenance. Improperly installed wiring can present serious fire and shock hazards. Faulty wiring that is overloaded or damaged can overheat and ignite surrounding combustible materials. Exposed wires or loose connections can also deliver dangerous electrical shocks if touched. To prevent these hazards, it’s critical that all electrical work adheres to local building codes and safety standards. Licensed electricians are trained to handle wiring safely and ensure it can supply electricity properly without overloading circuits. When you cut corners with unqualified personnel or DIY work, you risk creating major safety issues that could put your home and family at risk. Proper electrical wiring also prevents damage to sensitive electronics and appliances. Faulty wiring with frequent power surges can destroy computers, TVs, air conditioners and anything else plugged into the outlets. Modern homes require adequate wires and circuit breakers to handle the electricity needs of multiple devices running simultaneously. Outdated, damaged or improperly installed wiring often can’t provide the steady, reliable power that electronics require. Get A Quote Research and Hire a Qualified Electrician When you need any kind of electrical wiring work, it’s essential to hire a qualified electrician rather than attempting DIY repairs. Start by asking friends and neighbors for referrals to electricians they trust. Look online for local electricians with consistently positive reviews. When evaluating electricians, here are key things to look for: Licensing and Insurance: Verify that any electrician you consider is properly licensed in your state and insured to cover any potential damages. Ask to see proof. Experience: Ask about their specific experience with wiring installation, repairs and upgrades for residential settings similar to yours. Look for electricians who are knowledgeable and comfortable working in your type of home. Responsive Communication: Choose an electrician who answers your questions clearly and provides straightforward quotes for services. Make sure they can respond quickly when wiring issues emerge. References: Well qualified electricians should be able to provide references from satisfied customers. Follow up with references to confirm electricians have strong track records with wiring work. A true electrical professional will be happy to provide documentation of licensing and insurance, as well as details about their experience and references. Take time to do your due diligence – it will pay off in safe, quality work. Get A Quote Have Your Home’s Wiring Inspected Unless your home had wiring work recently, it’s wise to have a professional electrical wiring company inspect it before issues arise. They can identify any problems that have developed over time. Here are key things a quality inspection will assess: Exposed Wires: Wires should be properly contained and secured within walls, attics, basements and crawlspaces. Exposed wires present electrocution and fire hazards. Loose Connections: Faulty connections between wires and outlets or switches can spark and ignite fires. Inspections ensure tight, secure connections. Overloaded Circuits: If your home’s power needs have increased over time, old wiring may be overloaded beyond safe levels. Inspections reveal if upgrades are needed. Grounding Issues: Proper grounding channels electricity safely away in the event of faults. Improper grounding creates shock risks. Inspections verify grounding meets codes. Outdated Components: Older switches, outlets, circuit breakers and fuse boxes can malfunction over time. Inspections identify components in need of replacement. Take the inspector’s recommendations seriously if they advise rewiring, replacing outdated components or addressing any other issues. Minor wiring problems have the potential to turn into catastrophes if ignored. Get A Quote Update Outdated Electrical Systems Homes older than about 40 years often need electrical system upgrades to meet modern safety standards and power loads. It’s best to use an experienced electrical wiring company to do so. Common outdated components that should be updated include: Fuse Boxes: Electrical panels should use circuit breakers rather than old-fashioned fuses. Circuit breakers better prevent overloads. Aluminum Wiring: Copper wiring is much safer and less prone to overheating. Aluminum wiring should be thoroughly inspected and possibly replaced. Small Wire Gauge: Heavier gauge wiring may be needed to handle increased electrical demands from larger appliances. Too Few Circuits: Additional dedicated circuits prevent overloads as more devices are powered simultaneously. Upgrading antiquated electrical systems provides safety by reducing fire risks. The investment in upgrades also improves convenience by allowing modern power usage throughout the home. Get A Quote Add GFCI Outlets in Wet Areas Outlet circuits near water sources like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms should have ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). GFCIs immediately break the circuit if electricity contacts water, protecting against severe shocks. Make sure outlets near sinks, tubs, pools and outdoor areas have GFCIs installed. Use Tamper-Resistant Outlets Around Children Outlet covers help protect curious kids from sticking objects into the slots. But tamper-resistant outlets provide even better protection. The spring-loaded shutter mechanisms only open when an electrical plug is inserted. Look for tamper-resistant outlets in homes with young children. Label Circuit Breakers Clearly Take time to label every circuit breaker clearly so you and anyone else knows which outlets or fixtures it controls. This prevents confusion when breakers trip or when you need to shut off power to certain areas for repairs or upgrades. Get A Quote Consider Surge Protectors and Lightning Rods Power surges from lightning strikes or other causes can damage sensitive electronics