Have you ever walked into your house, flipped a switch and then noticed that your lights flicker when they try to come home? Or have you turned on one of your appliances in one room and then your lamp in a neighboring room flicker? While you may write this off as being something that “just happens,” that isn’t always a great attitude.

What you may be dealing with is an issue that requires the help of a professional electrician. After all, you wouldn’t completely ignore a burst pipe spreading water all over your home, right? You would ignore your HVAC system if it suddenly stopped producing cool air, either. As a result, if your electrical system isn’t working properly, you can’t neglect it. You are only facing more property damage if you don’t address the issue – and you may be facing a fire hazard.

Do You Need to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?

If you have ever noticed any of the electrical issues described above, then it may be a sign that it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel. Some of the other indications it may be time for this update can be found here. Keep in mind, you don’t want to ignore these issues as they are only going to get worse over time and have the potential to cause even more damage.

• Flickering lights: This is first on the list because it is going to be one of the most obvious indications that there is something wrong with your electrical system. The primary reason flickering lights occur is due to a short circuit somewhere in the system. If the flickering is reserved to a single fixture, then it may not be that serious of an issue. However, if there is a whole section of lighting affected, then the problem needs to be addressed right away.
• Hot spots: This is a situation when you touch a light switch or a random place on your wall and it is hot or warm to the touch. The excess heat that you feel is an indication of a breach in the system. Don’t neglect this problem. It is only going to get worse. The professionals can help fix it in an efficient and timely manner.
• Breakers that trip frequently: While the circuit breakers in your electrical panel are designed to protect your home from a power surge. They will trip if they become overloaded. If this happens from time to time, it may not be that big of an issue. However, if this issue seems to happen all the time, then it may be time to invest in an upgrade.

As you can see, there are several issues that may arise with your electrical system. Don’t ignore these dangerous situations, as they are only going to get worse as time passes. Being informed, working with the professionals, and knowing what to look for is the best way to make sure that your home’s electrical system continues working properly.