If you have a home that is 30 years old – or more – chances are you have outdated wiring and it’s not designed to operate safely with your modern lifestyle.

Home maintenance is often overwhelming. This is especially the case if you aren’t sure where to begin. The occasional leak, worn out carpeting, and missing shingles are just a few of the things that may need attention.

Problems that are easy to see are usually easy to stop before the issue gets worse. However, if there is a problem inside the walls, such as outdated wiring, that represents a unique challenge.

For example, an older home with 60 amps won’t be able to handle the load of multiple appliances being used at the same time. This is especially the case since most homeowners need a house that offers a minimum of 100 amps. It’s important to take note that older wiring isn’t just an inconvenience, but also a safety concern.

The Issues Related to Outdated Wiring

Older homes were typically designed using aluminum wiring that was coated in rubber. Over time, this can begin to deteriorate. If the wire is exposed between your insulation and your walls, you have a serious fire hazard on your hands. If you have a house with outdated wiring, there’s a good chance you have had to take more than a few trips to the circuit breaker. Old wiring can handle large workloads, and this may result in overloading. This occurs when the circuit breaker responds to this overload by shutting everything down before a fire or malfunction occurs.

The Warning Signs

The good news is, there are usually several warning signs you may be able to take note of that will let you know the wiring in your home is old or faulty. Some of these warning sign include:

• Lights that flicker
• Frequent blown fuses or tripped breakers
• Charred or discolored outlets
• The smell of burnt plastic or vinyl
• Too few outlets
• Wires that are damaged
• A shock when you plug in or unplug something
• Damaged insulation

If you aren’t sure if you have seen these issues or if your wiring may be a problem, it’s a good idea to call for an electrical system inspection.

Schedule an Inspection for Peace of Mind

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Based on information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is best to have your home electrical system inspected every 10 to 40 years. Also, The National Fire Protection Association has stated that electrical issues are the main cause of property damage due to home fires throughout the U.S.

Hiring a licensed electrician to come to your home and inspect all the electrical components is the best thing you can do. They are going to know what to look for to determine if there are any underlying issues. The professional will also know what needs to be done to correct the issue present and ensure it doesn’t cause problems in the future. Get in touch today!