Everything, from our body to a property, grows old with time and needs maintenance. While a house might feel solid and sturdy when newly constructed, with time, it will slowly give way to problems here and there. Whether it’s a leaky faucet here or a broken window, issues are bound to crop up, and homeowners are supposed to be responsible and keep up with the wear and tear. While there are many elements to a house, the electrical hazards are one of the primary elements and need close inspection and timely maintenance. If you are a homeowner of a relatively old property, a quick search for an electric company near me is one of the first steps to consider to ensure electrical security. If the electrical hazards are not taken care of in time, you might end up putting both the lives and the property in harm’s way. Explored below are some of the most common electrical hazards of old properties
Old Buildings And The Hazards
Electrical fires are mostly caused by outdated wiring techniques and materials. It is found that electrical problems are the third most frequent cause of house fires, immediately after heating and cooking issues. In comparison to contemporary houses, older residences often exhibit a greater level of electrical fire-related danger. The fact that insurance providers are worried about electrical dangers in older houses is understandable. Numerous investigations have shown that “handyman tinkering” is one of the main reasons for electrical fires in residences rather than knob-and-tube wiring, 60-amp electrical lines, or fuse boxes. This is the case when an initial electrical system has been altered by an unskilled homeowner or another knowledgeable unauthorized person without following the electrical code.
If a house is more than 25 years of age, there is a greater possibility of electrical-related risks. In a study done at 500 homes chosen randomly in the area of Greater Vancouver, where all the houses were more than 40 years old, 95% of the houses were found to have one or even more electrical hazard probability in the property. Whether one is buying a charming older home or staying in a family home where generations have lived for decades, it is usually recommended that you get a proper electrical inspection done by a reliable professional, especially in case the part of the house was added after building the initial construction and was subsequently fixed by a local handyman. Older houses have a lot of serious electrical risks that might start fires, but by collaborating with experts in home electrical plans, electrical fires in homes can be eliminated. A thorough assessment of the hazards will lead to safer homes and a better-functioning electrical system!
Electrical Hazards of Old Properties
Absence of Circuit Facilities: Over time, the number of electronic devices that are used often in a regular house has expanded along with the quantity of electricity that each item needs, as per the progression of technologies. If electrical switchboards or circuit cannot support the demands of the devices it is powering, it will often only blow a fuse or a breaker. If the proper safety measures are not available or are insufficient, it may result in overheated wires and electrocution.
Outdated Equipment: It goes without saying that pieces of equipment may sustain damage or begin to degrade as it gets older. When this occurs, previously safe equipment poses a serious risk of electrical fire and electrocution. Electrical equipment may deteriorate over time in a number of ways, including thinning insulation, rodent-chewed cables, and brittle, rusted, or twisted metal parts. While it is important to keep a close eye on older electronic equipment, it is also necessary to change them from time to time.
Outdated Practices: As technology has advanced, so has our knowledge of the finest electrical standards and safety requirements. There are several electrical system types that need to be changed because they are out of date, and there are numerous ways in which installation and safety requirements have been raised. While something could have been considered perfectly “safe” decades back, it can be considered a hazard by the present standard. A routine electrical check-in can help you keep your electrical equipment and safety requirements updated.
Electricity is a boon to all, but it can be extremely dangerous if the potential hazards are not dealt with on time. Depending on the damage, it might be a quick fix that you can do at home, or it might also be an issue that needs professional expertise. Reaching out to the right electrical company is also something that should be stressed. A company that is not only readily available but comes with professional knowledge and years of experience is the best fit for the job. The right professionals can save not just your property, but also the lives of your dear ones.
