Do you ever wonder what it would have been like 100 years ago to ponder the future? Is there any way people could have foreseen the electrified world we live in today? Our lives today basically revolve around electricity. And as technology gets smarter and faster, we rely on electricity more and more. So what happens when there’s an electrical problem? Do you attempt a DIY fix or do you call an electrician?

The short answer is… No! Don’t mess with electrical problems unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Here’s a list of common electrical problems that require an electrician.

Flickering lights

If this is a one-time thing, check your bulbs to see if they need replacing or tightening. Next, consider if there was a typical Vancouver rain or windstorm. If so, you can probably assume that a line is down that there is a team on it and steady power will soon return.

If you’ve changed the lightbulbs and the problem persists, you may have loose, old or damaged wiring or fixtures. At this point, we recommend you call an electrician to come and check things over.

Skyrocketing electrical bills

It’s normal for electrical bills to ebb and flow with the seasons. If you notice an increase, think about how often you are using large appliances (ie. portable air conditioning unit, dishwasher, washer and dryer). If you’ve pinpointed the increase to this, see if there are ways you can adjust your usage — hang your clothes to dry or make sure your dishwasher and washing machines have full loads.

For higher than normal electrical bills, you can call your electrician to get an assessment of where you can save money. Perhaps it’s time for some high-efficiency updates that will save you money in the long run.

Exposed wiring

Exposed wiring can pose a serious hazard, especially if you have young children or pets in your home. Whether it’s from an incomplete home reno project or some kind of accident, exposed wiring should be taken care of asap.

An electrician will have the proper tools and experience to know how to deal with exposed wiring so that your home remains safe for you and your family.

Circuit breaker trips

Are you making toast while you blow-dry your hair? Your circuit will trip if the electrical demands are too heavy for the circuit to handle, and this is common in older homes and apartments.

Again, if you can adjust your usage, this might not be too big of a problem for you. However, if the situation only seems to be getting worse or you see your usage increasing over time, you will need to call an electrician to help you upgrade or add a circuit to accommodate for the load. We recommend that you hire an electrician for this job.

There are lots of DIY jobs we encourage people to try at home before calling a specialist. And with all the “how-to’s” online, it’s usually pretty safe to attempt to fix things around the home if you’re handy.

But when it comes to electrical issues, we recommend you call an electrician if you face one of the problems listed above.

At BPM, our electric professionals are up-to-date with the latest technology and tools, and know exactly how to fix problems with safety and efficiency in mind. If you’re in the Vancouver area and have an electrical problem, we’ll be happy to help you so that your home and your family stays safe!