With so many YouTube videos and great hardware stores, many people are giving DIY a go on everything from plaster-boarding and a new roof to fixing leaky taps. But there is one area of the house that you really shouldn’t mess with – and that is the electrics. For many of us, we can never be sure if we have a serious electrical emergency or if it’s something we don’t need to consider.

Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

 

So here are some surefire signs you need to call an electrician. 

Outlets

If you find yourself tacking up extensions or the cubes with extra outlets – that is a hazard. It is much easier to overload the outlets than you might think, and one of the fastest ways to do it is by plugging in too many things. One extension cable isn’t usually a problem, but multiple is dangerous. You need to have more outlets added, and this is a job for an electrician. 

 

Electrical outlets have a plastic or metal barrier, and that is usually cold or room temperature to the touch. If yours feels warm, this can be a sign that the outlet is overworked, and you need to have the outlet inspected and changed. 

High Bills

Perhaps you have been noticing that your electricity bill has been rising faster than inflation. And the prices you seem to be paying aren’t matching your actual usage. Bills that are higher than usual or that seem to have spiked can be an indicator that there is something wrong with your electrics. 

 

Unknown surges of energy need to be inspected – it could be an appliance, or it may be the electrics themselves. It is always better to have it checked out. 

Burning Smell

Every once in a while, you notice a strange burning smell, and it might smell metallic or even plastic-like. This is usually a sign that something is wrong with the electrical fixtures or you have an appliance that needs to be disposed of. 

 

Electricity fires don’t usually start out of nowhere; often, there are smaller signs like a smell of burning or sparks from a particular outlet. 

Old Home

Older homes have an older electric system that isn’t usually up to today’s modern standard. With these older systems, they are more prone to having fires, shorts, and even unsafe-to-touch wiring. 

 

Aside from any issues with the system, older houses have had years of wear and tear, and electric wires can break down and become damaged – even if you can’t see them. 

Flickering Lights 

When your lights flicker, it could mean that you need to replace the bulbs, or it could mean that there is an unstable electricity supply. For those who have recently changed the bulbs and they are still flickering – it is time to get the supply checked out by an electrician. 

 

Taking a wait-and-see approach to our electrics isn’t smart because it can mean that you are putting yourself and your family at risk. Here are a few other household tasks that you shouldn’t make yourself: Household Repairs That You Should Never Try To Make Yourself.