Owning an older home can be a point of pride, especially for those who enjoy the historic value. While many of the older homes in Kansas City are quite beautiful, many of these properties develop electrical issues over the years. All of the wear and tear that came from serving multiple generations adds up and eventually results in some serious problems. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most common electrical issues found in old Kansas City homes.
Lights Flickering or Burning Out Faster than Usual
If you’ve noticed lights flickering in your house, rest assured it’s not haunted, well, it’s probably not haunted. Odds are, your lights are flickering because the home is older and the electrical system needs to be updated. Although this isn’t something to worry about immediately, it can be frustrating and if you let it go more serious electrical problems may develop over time. As a rule the cost of fixing electrical problems in an older home goes up over time.
Another common electrical issue specific to older homes are bulbs that burn out faster than usual. If you notice that your bulbs are burning out at an unnatural speed, try using bulbs with a lower wattage. If your bulbs are still burning out quick after switching to a lower wattage, you’ve probably got a wiring issue on your hands. Any time that there is a wiring issue, you’ll need to call an electrician to have it repaired professionally.
Do All of Your Outlets Work?
If you live in one of Kansas City’s older homes, you should check all of your outlets to make sure that they are functioning properly. If you notice that an outlet is not receiving power, reset the breaker and try it again. If the outlet still doesn’t work, you’ve got a problem. Malfunctioning outlets are a bad sign in older homes and are a strong indication that you’ll need the electrical system repaired.
Why it Pays to be Proactive When it Comes to Updating Electrical Systems in Older Homes
Being proactive is always a good idea, especially in terms of updating the electrical system in an older home. Sometimes you won’t be able to detect a problem until it’s too late. For example, if your home dates back to the early 1900s, the wiring is probably coated in a cloth canvas which is extremely likely to set on fire at some point. An electrical fire can take down your entire home and everything in it.
Even if you haven’t noticed any of the more common signs of trouble like flickering lights or bulbs that quickly burn out, you should have a reliable electrician assess the wiring in your home.
Fusion Electric
If you’re experiencing electrical problems in your Kansas City home, you need to call in the cavalry. Fusion Electric is the premier destination in the Kansas City area for electrical concerns.
It’s not the ghosts, it’s your electrical system, call Fusion Electric and start enjoying your vintage home without any of the problems of old wiring.