If you own an older home in a Cleveland suburb, like Garfield Heights, OH, you likely have an aging electrical system. Staying alert to potential electrical problems is wise, as the consequences can be dire. To help, here are ten common electrical system problems to watch out for in an older home.
Why Older Homes Are Prone to Electrical Issues
The wiring and electrical infrastructure in most homes typically lasts only 30 to 40 years. After that, you can expect component failures and reliability issues to arise. To prevent these problems, your home may need its wiring replaced and a range of other electrical updates. If you’re unsure about the condition of your home’s electrical system, call us for an inspection.
Top 10 Common Electrical Issues Found in Older Homes
There are several common electrical problems in older homes that you can expect to find in an older home. The following are ten problems our Northeast Ohio electricians encounter most often.
- Faulty Wiring – If your home is older, it’s a good idea to have its wiring inspected. Outdated electrical wiring can pose a safety hazard and may not comply with current electrical codes. We can replace any faulty wiring, or do a complete rewiring of your home.
- Inadequate Electrical Service – Today, new homes come equipped with at least 200 amps of electrical service. However, that wasn’t always the case. Outdated panels can significantly limit the ways you use electricity in your home. To fix it, we can perform an electrical panel replacement to accommodate additional electrical service.
- Not Enough Outlets – If you stop to think about it, many of the electrical devices you now take for granted didn’t exist a few decades ago. As a result, older homes often have too few outlets to support modern demand. We can add additional outlets and circuits to your older home to meet your current and future needs.
- Lack of Grounding – If you walk around your home and find any two-prong outlets, your home may not have adequate grounding. A ground wire provides a path for stray electricity to dissipate during a short circuit, enhancing the safety of your home. We can rewire your home to add grounded outlets or offer GFCI outlets in places where that’s impractical.
- Outdated Light Fixtures – Adequate lighting is essential to the comfort and habitability of your home. However, if your older home has outdated light fixtures, you may not have the light you need. We can address this issue by upgrading existing fixtures and adding additional fixtures where needed.
- Lack of Outdoor Lighting – One of the most common lighting issues we find in older homes is a lack of outdoor light fixtures. It isn’t unusual to find a single 60-watt light fixture outside a home’s primary entrance and little else. We can rectify that by adding outdoor lighting that improves your home’s curb appeal and security.
- Faulty Light Switches – Light switches are among the most frequently used components of a home’s electrical system. As such, it isn’t unusual for them to wear out. If your home has loose light switches or switches that spark when flipped, we can replace them for you.
- Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping – As residential electrical demand continues to rise, an older home’s circuits often struggle. If your older home has frequent breaker tripping, you need some upgrades. We can add additional circuits to accommodate new appliances or other higher-wattage devices.
- Missing AFCIs and GFCIs – Current electrical codes require GFCI outlets in multiple areas of your home. They’re a critical safety mechanism that prevents electrocutions. We can add them to the locations that need them. We also install AFCI protection devices, which electrical codes also demand in certain places.
- Lack of Whole-Home Surge Protection – As of 2020, the NEC code requires whole-home surge protection in new construction and when updating your wiring. These devices help prevent fires and protect your appliances and sensitive electronic equipment.
Tri-County Electric Service is a leader in residential electrical services serving Northeast Ohio. Whether you need whole-house rewiring or simple repairs, we’re the company to turn to. We also offer whole-house generators to keep the lights on and HVAC system running during power outages. Since opening our doors in 1975, we’ve built a reputation for quality workmanship at fair prices. Our long and growing list provides ample evidence of that. Contact Tri-County Electric Service for inspections, panel upgrades, and repairs today.
Frequently Asked Questions
While working in older homes here in Northeast Ohio, we’ve answered countless homeowner questions. Here are the most common questions and their answers.
Are outdated panels dangerous?
Age alone doesn’t guarantee that an electrical panel becomes dangerous. However, with age comes an increased chance of malfunction. If your panel is over 25 years old, consider replacing it.
When should I rewire an older home?
If your home has aluminum wiring, you should have your home rewired immediately. The same goes for knob and tube wiring or wiring with cloth sheathing. Those types of wiring are badly outdated and could pose a danger to your home.
If you notice any sign of these common electrical issues or have other concerns, call Tri County Electric Service. We can schedule service with one of our Northeast Ohio electricians.
