Signs Your Electrical Outlets Need Replacing
When your electrical outlets are not performing as they should, it can be very frustrating. When you plug in an appliance you expect it to start up immediately.
When it doesn't power up because it has received no electrical supply, frustration can ensue. Whether this is an outlet in your kitchen, bathroom, or living room you need it to work.
Electrical outlets rarely go bad without first giving some warning signs. Here is a look at some of them.
Burn Marks
Many electrical outlets will display burn marks or you will see melting on the electrical outlet. This shows that excessive heat is affecting the outlet.
It could be that the wires in the outlet are too old or they may be too small. You may need to get wiring that is wider in diameter. Needless to say, any type of burn marks or melting on your electrical outlet is not something that should be ignored. You need to get an electrician to fix and replace the outlet as soon as possible.
Cracks and Chips
If you notice that there are cracks and chips on your electrical outlet, you may be thinking that these are just outward cosmetic issues that could not possibly affect the functioning of the outlet. However, this is not necessarily true.
Every crack and chip that you see on the outlet is capable of letting in dust and other particles. Over time, the buildup of dust and grime starts getting into the wiring itself.
The crack may even spread to the area where the plug goes in. This means that dirt and grime can get in there as well. The weight of the dirt and grime can cause the outlet to become loose. This makes it difficult to plug in appliances and get them to work.
Smoke and Sparks
Any form of smoke or spark coming from an electrical unit is a red flag. You may notice a burning odor coming from the electrical outlet as well when this happens.
These are symptoms that your electrical outlet has become a fire hazard. There should be no hesitation about calling in a residential electrician to come and fix the problem for you.
If you experience problems with your outlets the frustration is undeniable. However, if you pay attention to the signs outlined here you will know when something is wrong. This way you can stop the problem from getting worse with time. If you encounter a problem with your outlets, call an electrician to deal with it as soon as you can.
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