An outlet that is warm to the touch? A light switch with a buzz as you put it on? Or perhaps your devices are not charging like they once did. Homeowners will put up with these sorts of things, which is precisely when they become hazardous. We at Electrical Pros, LLC put an end to such electrical trouble for our clients in Northeast Kansas and make sure their home or business is secure. If what you see below is all too familiar, pick up the phone at (785) 246-5708. As a locally run and owned company we are at your service day or night, fully licensed and insured.
It is easy to miss the little indications that something is amiss with an outlet or switch since one is so accustomed to them. But those small details can be the precursor to more serious matters behind the wall, and faulty units are far more prevalent than most would think.
Don’t Overlook These Warning Signs
There are some problems with an outlet or switch that are plain to see and others that make themselves known in time. Be on the lookout for:
- Warmth or heat from a switch or outlet plate
- A hum, crackle or buzz upon plugging in or using a switch
- Discoloration, scorching or the odor of burning in the vicinity of an outlet
- Plugs that are loose in the socket or have a habit of falling out
- Sparks on insertion or removal of a plug
- Lights that flicker or a switch that needs to be coaxed into working
- An outlet that has quit working without explanation
All of them merit a closer look. A burning smell or an outlet running hot calls for you to put it down and contact an electrician right away.
The Problem with Warm Outlets
Under normal circumstances there should be no heat coming from an outlet or switch. If there is, it is likely the electricity is being resisted by a connection that has come undone or wiring that is not tight. Heat is how a fire starts. Corroded or loose connections will put up tiny arcs of electricity and the heat from them will accumulate unseen behind the wall. Do not consider a warm outlet to be of no consequence.
Worn Sockets and Loose Plugs
A plug that wiggles in the outlet or comes out with little effort is a sign the contacts inside have seen better days. Years of use will do that to them and the resulting poor connection is a recipe for overheating and arcing. The same can be said for a wobbly switch. A good electrician can put that right in short order and save you from a more expensive problem down the road.
Unreliable Switches and Flickering Lights
When you have to jiggle a switch to get the lights to come on or they flicker with its use, it is putting on a show for a reason. Worn contacts, a failing connection or loose wiring are typical culprits. It may be the switch or it could be indicative of a more involved wiring issue. You would be ill advised to guess at it; let a professional have a look and you will be glad you did.
Sparks, Scorch Marks and the Like
This is where the warning signs are of the most serious nature. Should you see a spark jump as you plug in, or dark marks about an outlet, or catch a whiff of burning, there is active damage under way.
Put the outlet out of commission and if it is safe to do so shut off the circuit at the breaker panel. Then call for assistance. There is no point in waiting for it to deteriorate further.
Call on Electrical Pros, LLC
We are not some franchise from out of town. In Topeka, Olathe, Leavenworth, Osage City, Holton, Gardner, Alma and the area we call home, we have been putting in over 12 years of hard work on the job. We handle your home as we would our own.
Do not delay if any of the above has been an issue; a quick call is well worth it for the safety of your property. Contact us at (785) 246-5708. We are on hand 24/7 and will give you a free estimate so there are no surprises when the work is to be done.
