Older homes have an incredible amount of charm and nostalgia. While some of that charm stems from the old-world construction practices of ornate stonework and interesting woodworking, there are also negative aspects of living in a dated home, namely the electrical system. We bought our first older home a few years ago, and it has been interesting to see just how much of a problem the electrical system has been. We knew that we needed to update a large portion of the space, so we started going through and having sections replaced. This website is here to help other people to know when to work with electricians.
A house with faulty wiring represents a huge risk for you and your family. Whether it's the risk of a fire or getting electrocuted, you don't want your family living in a house that may have faulty wiring. The risk of faulty wiring is especially high if you're moving into an old building that may have been wired before stringent laws came into place. How can you handle this issue before it causes any serious damage to your new home or your family?
Get an Expert Assessment
Flickering lights when you turn on your washer may tell you that something is wrong with the wiring, but this doesn't tell you the extent of the problem. When houses are being wired, different sections may be wired differently. In fact, if there is an extension in the home, the wiring may have been a DIY job.
If you see signs of faulty wiring, the first thing you should do is get an electrician to assess the extent of the problem. In some cases, the problem may be localized to a particular line while in others, it may affect the whole house.
Will the Previous Owners Pay?
Depending on the terms of the sale, the previous owners may be on the hook for such repairs. There are laws in place that ensure homeowners can't misrepresent what they are selling. Since faulty wiring is something that's obviously carried forward from the previous owners, you'll need to check if they're liable to pay for any repairs you need to make.
Avoid Using the Affected Section Until Repairs Are Done
When you're dealing with faulty wiring, it's a good idea to have repairs done as quickly as possible. If there are any delays, appliances or lighting in the affected section of the home should not be used. This will represent a huge inconvenience for you. When the safety of your house and family is at risk, it is necessary.
Hire an Expert to Handle the Problem
When you have an electrical issue in your house, it's always a good idea to bring in an experienced and licensed professional to assess and correct the problem. Many people in such situations attempt DIY repairs, but these can worsen the problem. The best approach is to have someone who can tell you how serious the problem is. This can also help your case if you need to take the previous owners to court.
Contact an electrical contracting company, such as Williams Electric Supply, for help identifying faulty wiring and needed replacement parts and for advice on the next steps to take.