For no apparent cause your lights are flickering? Outlets that are warm or have an odd smell when you put a hand on them? Breakers tripping with some frequency?
Do not dismiss these as minor inconveniences. They can be the first indication of trouble behind your walls and, given that faulty wiring is among the top culprits for house fires in this country, they warrant your attention.
Henninger Electric has been putting the safety of homeowners in the Cedar Valley first since 1995. Should you have any misgivings about your wiring, give us a ring at (319) 419-7930 and we will send over a licensed, insured electrician to have a look.
Why You Should Pay Attention to Faulty Wiring
It is not something that is going to mend itself; more likely it will deteriorate. A light that was only flickering can end up as a burned outlet, and from there a fire.
This is a particular risk in older stock. The homes put up decades ago were not designed to handle all the electronics and appliances of the present day and the strain that puts on the wiring is considerable.
But most of the time an issue will telegraph its presence before it gets to be dangerous if one knows what to spot.
What to Look For
There are certain telltale signs of a problem that calls for a professional:
- Buzzing, dimming or flickering of lights, particularly with an appliance running
- Switch plates or outlets that are hot or warm
- Something of a burning or fishy odour in the vicinity of your panel, switches or outlets
- Fuses blowing or breakers that seem to trip at every opportunity
- Scorching or discoloration around your switches and outlets
- An occasional tingle or mild shock from an appliance or switch
- Plugs not being held by the outlet or sparking upon use
One of these alone should be examined more closely. If you have two or more, the circuit should be taken out of service and an electrician contacted.
Dangers You Cannot See
Then there are the problems hidden from view. Years can go by with loose connections or shoddy repairs and damaged insulation sitting undisturbed behind the drywall.
Rodents pose a genuine threat as well. It is not uncommon for squirrels and mice to make short work of the wiring in a crawl space or attic. With the protective coating chewed away, you have a fire hazard on your hands.
Too often a homeowner is only made aware of such things after an incident. Which is the reason for having inspections done on a regular basis, an older home or a new purchase in particular.
Make a Call
When you encounter the following, do not put off making a call:
- Smoke or sparks at an outlet or in the electrical panel
- A burning smell you can not put your finger on
- Appliances or fixtures giving you repeated shocks
- Any switch or outlet that is hot enough to register through the plate
In those kind of emergencies Henninger Electric is on hand. We believe in responding quickly so a small matter does not get out of hand.
The Reason Homeowners Put Their Trust in Us
Terry Henninger started us in 1995 and today Wayne and Jasmine Gaston own the company, upholding the same standards of quality. We have been in the service of the communities of Waterloo, Cedar Falls and the rest of the Cedar Valley for some time now.
We take pride in the fact that we have been:
- Voted “Best of the Best” by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
- Given an A+ by the Better Business Bureau
- Cited for superior service by Angie’s List
- Made members of Grow Cedar Valley
Our work is fully licensed and insured and we stand behind it with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. We will provide a free estimate so there are no surprises, and financing can be arranged for more substantial repairs.
Office hours are 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.
No Point in Waiting
You would not want to be left guessing over faulty wiring. If you have been seeing the signs we have described here, the prudent thing to do is let a pro come in and inspect the system.
Contact Henninger Electric at (319) 419-7930. We can identify the issue, lay out your options and ensure your home remains safe.
