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Beware of These Common Electrical Problems When Buying a Home

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Buying a new house is an exciting time, but it is also wise to exercise caution. Most homeowners have a home inspection before committing to buying a new home. Home inspectors will come to the house to go through and look for potential problems, including electrical. For added protection, potential buyers may also have a licensed Benbrook electrician inspect the electrical components of the house to be sure nothing was missed in the home inspection. Read on to discover the most common electrical problems found when buying a new house.

Switched Wired Incorrectly

Most often, people who have tried to do their own wiring of a house or have hired someone inexperienced to wire a house will make a mistake. They will use reverse polarity when attempting to wire a switch. When wires get switched around, it poses a shock hazard that can be dangerous.

Not Enough Outlets

Another common electrical problem, especially among older homes, is too few outlets available to plug in necessary items. If you notice extension cords being used regularly, it means that there is a lack of outlets for all the essentials. Using an extension cord daily could also be a safety hazard. A Benbrook electrician can update the home and install more outlets for an adequate number of power sources throughout the house.

Overloaded Breakers

A single breaker is meant for single wires. If you discover that a breaker has multiple wires coming out of each one, this is a dangerous concern. Multiple wires can lead to loose wiring or arcing that can be a fire hazard. Adding additional breakers or nutting the wires together properly can correct this problem. An experienced

Ungrounded Receptacles

Again, older homes are most likely to have ungrounded receptacles that only have two slots to plug into instead of the two plugs and a hole for the ground wire. Ungrounded receptacles should be upgraded to reduce the risk of fire.

Wires Buried Improperly

Wires must run underground and be properly buried to protect them from the weather and keep them from breaking. Wires that are not properly buried can be a safety issue. During a home inspection, a Benbrook electrician may discover that wire is not buried deep enough or is lacking the specialized conduits that must be used to be safe.

If you are considering buying a home, it is a great idea to have a home inspection. For any electrical issues, consult with a Benbrook electrician to ensure the safety of your future home.

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