Is it Time for an Electrical Wiring Upgrade?

electrical-wiring-upgrade

Many people who aren’t familiar with how electrical systems work usually assume that everything is fine with the electricity in their home so long as all the light switches, electronics and appliances are functioning properly without interruption. Unfortunately, some of these people discover all too late that there was in fact an issue with their home’s electrical system, and that they are indeed in need of an electrical wiring upgrade. If you are living in a home that was built more than 40 years ago, and haven’t had an electrical inspection or update of any kind since you moved in, it is certainly a good idea to look into one now. In many cases, it is usually time for a wiring upgrade if you haven’t had one already.

Although this can be an inconvenient and somewhat time consuming job, it is vital that you have properly installed and upgraded wires in your home, in order to avoid such nuisances as power outages, and such major problems as a house fire. According to a study by the National Fire Prevention Association in 2009, old, outdated wiring is a leading cause for house fires, and the older your house is, the more chance you have of having unsafe wires. Below, you’ll find a few things to keep an eye out for that are possible signs your wiring needs to be upgraded immediately:

• Breakers that trip or fuses that blow repeatedly
• A tingling sensation when you touch an appliance
• Flickering or dimming lights
• A persistent burning smell from a room or appliance
• Warm, discolored, or sparking outlets
• Two-prong ungrounded outlets throughout the house
• No ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in kitchens, baths, and other areas exposed to moisture.

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Certain types of wires that are now outdated aren’t always going to be dangerous. Even old knob and tube wiring from the early 20th century isn’t necessarily a major cause for concern if everything remains intact and well connected. The problem with older wiring systems is that they are a lot more prone to failure than newer ones (especially aluminium wiring from the 60s and 70s), which is why it is important to have your old wires inspected at the very least. It may turn out that you only need to modify some components of your wiring, rather than having to replace everything. When the safety of your home, property and loved ones is at stake, the expense of an inspection and repairs probably won’t seem like much in the long run. Not to mention the potential savings you will get on home insurance and energy bills in the future.

The experts at BPM Electric are ready to help you assess exactly what type of wiring upgrades your home requires, and are prepared to complete any installations or repairs in a safe and timely fashion. We have been keeping residents in the Vancouver, Surrey and Langley areas safe from potential electrical hazards since 1987, and have all the latest skills and materials necessary to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. For a free estimate, or to book an inspection of your existing wires, feel free to call us or contact us via our website today!