Electricity is an essential part of our homes. However, people often ignore it because most components of the electrical system are hidden from our sight. Many people only remember their electrical system when it becomes faulty. By that time, the issue will have become widespread and severe.
That is often the case because several parts of the electrical system lie deep inside the walls. It may be difficult to notice the issues early, and this can be a safety concern. Fire outbreaks in homes often happen as a result of faults in the electrical system.
The electrical system may cause fire outbreaks or electrocution following poor maintenance, faulty installations, or damaged and obsolete wiring. Electrical faults in a rental property may lead to terrible consequences that you do not want to experience as a landlord.
Fire outbreaks that result from a faulty electrical system can destroy the rental property. Tenants may get electrocuted, and this can lead to legal issues. Aside from these, problems in your electrical system can increase energy bills for your tenants and also devalue your property.
For these reasons, property managers and landlords need to know the numerous warning signs that require the attention of an electrician. If you can identify these hints, it can help you prevent terrible outcomes. One of your crucial obligations as a landlord is to keep your rental property habitable and safe. We recommend that you pay attention to the warning signs below to protect your investment. Warning signs your rental property needs an electrician:
Burning Smells
Electrical cables have an exterior coating of synthetic materials. After overheating or sparks, these synthetic coatings burn and melt. If you do not act early, the sparks may lead to severe fire outbreaks. When electrical cables burn, they have a unique smell of burnt plastic.
If you keep noticing this smell, you need to act fast and trace the source. Strong scents of burning plastics signify serious issues. Also, if you notice that the scent emanates from an appliance or outlet, it could mean that the problem is severe. In worse cases, you may even see smoke coming out from the source.
Anytime your tenant complains of such an issue, it would be best to act swiftly. We advise that you trace the source of the burning smell and switch off all appliances that the outlet supplies. Contact an electrician immediately to rectify the problem.
Outdated Wiring
Over time, the electrical cables in your rental property will experience wear and tear or become outdated when they exceed their lifespan. When this happens, the electrical installations start to have unexpected faults. Exposed and damaged wirings can lead to electrocution or fire outbreaks.
In the United States, about 51,000 electric fires occur annually. House fires cause over 1,400 injuries, 500 deaths, and $1.3B property damage every year. The primary cause of fires in residential properties is electrical faults.
For this reason, it would be better to invite an electrician anytime you notice that the electrical cable in your rental property is loose, cracked, disconnected, damaged, or exposed.
Flickering Lights
Flickering of light bulbs in your rental property is another apparent warning sign. Possible causes of flickering lights in your rental property are:
- Excessive overload of the circuit
- Faulty wiring
- Faulty bulbs
- Loose or inappropriate bulbs for the dimmer switch
- Loose light plugs
- Voltage drop because the appliances are pulling more current on start-up
- Faulty switch
If your tenants complain that the light flickers, buzz, or dim slightly, it is advisable to call an electrician to visit the property and repair the faults.
Tripping Breakers
Circuit breakers are an essential component of the electrical system. They help to detect faults and isolate the load. If you receive a complaint of frequent tripping of your circuit breaker, it shows that there is an electrical fault. We advise that you hire an electrician to diagnose and fix the problem.
Sparks
Sparks may come from panels, fuse boxes, sockets, outlets, or switches. It is abnormal to experience sparks in your electrical system. If you notice any sparks, seek the services of an electrician.
Blown Fuses
Fuses are essential in the electrical system and act as a safeguard. They will blow and trip off the power before a vital component gets damaged. Several things can cause the fuses in your rental apartment to blow.
Some of them include:
- Overloading the circuit
- Installing the wrong fuse
- Faulty arc or ground
- Damaged wiring
- Issues in the circuit or breaker
- Damaged electrical outlets
We recommend that you hire an electrician to detect the cause of blown fuses and fix them.
The Bottom Line
Pay close attention to warning signs that your rental property needs an electrician. Landlords and property managers need to be proactive if they want to protect their investment, and should always call professional electricians to assess electrical systems when tenants complain of electrical faults. Fowler Electric LTD and Fowler Electrical Services LLC are here for you no matter how big or small your electrical project is. Licensed and bonded we specialize in repairs, troubleshooting, lighting projects, and upgrades. Call us 702-778-4346 or schedule online here.
