Most homeowners don’t think about rewiring until a problem is too big to ignore. Outdated or damaged wiring starts small and turns into power failures, damaged appliances or an electrical fire.
These five signs tell you it’s time to have your wiring looked at.
You Live in an Older Home
If your home was built several decades ago, it probably still has its original wiring. That wiring wears down over time, and worn wiring overheats and faults. Many older homes were never designed to power high-efficiency HVAC or today’s appliances. Panels from that era can be outdated too.
Forty years old is the mark. At that age, a home is worth having a licensed electrician evaluate. Many homes in the St. Augustine historic district are much older than that, and some are over 100. If you just bought an older place, our guide for new homeowners lists what to schedule first.
Two-Pronged Outlets
Two-pronged outlets mean your electrical system is likely outdated. They’re common in homes built before the 1960s and have no ground wire, the part that protects you from shock and fire. Without grounding, shocks, damaged devices and fires are all more likely. If you still have two-prong outlets, call a professional.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
A loose bulb or a faulty fixture is an easy fix. Lights that flicker or dim again and again usually aren’t. The cause is more often an overloaded circuit, a loose connection or wiring breaking down behind the walls, and any of those can overheat.
Watch for lights that dim when an appliance turns on, or that flicker in several rooms. Either one is a reason to get the wiring inspected.
Breakers Tripping Frequently
An occasional trip is normal. Your panel shuts off power when a circuit overloads, and that’s its job. Resetting breakers all the time is different. It points to outdated wiring, damaged circuits or too many devices on one line. A licensed electrician can tell you whether you need new wiring, a panel upgrade or additional circuits.
Burning Smell
Never ignore it. Overheating wires, melting insulation and electrical arcing all cause that smell, and all are fire hazards.
If the odor lingers or you see scorch marks around outlets, turn off the power to that area and call an electrician right away. Rewiring fixes the cause. Don’t wait.
Get Residential Electrician Services in St. Augustine and St. Johns County
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, your home may need rewiring. Not sure? A licensed electrician can check your wiring in an electrical inspection and tell you if rewiring makes sense.
Ellowitz Electric South serves St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee and Palm Valley.
Give us a call for a free quote at (904) 837-0310 or fill out our contact form, and we will get back to you shortly.
Need help with this? See our residential electrical or call (904) 837-0310.
