A common worry for people living in an older home is that their electrical installation may be old or dangerous. In order to assure yourself that everyone is safe and working as it should be there are several things you should do.
1. Carry out an inspection. A simple visual inspection will not be enough in most cases for you to tell if everything is in order. Obviously in the worst cases – where bare cables are exposed and basic safety standards have been ignored – you can see at first sight that there is a problem. In all other cases a thorough inspection will be needed.
2. Use a suitably qualified electrician. It is strongly recommended that you only allow a professionally qualified and experienced electrician Common Lighting Circuit Faults to carry out the checks. A simple oversight or lack of knowledge can have disastrous results when it comes to live electrics.
3. Check your home valuation. If you have just bought the property then the survey will mention the state of the wiring. This may be fairly detailed if you have had the most in Electrical Maintenance Engineer depth survey carried out or more superficial if you have chosen the basic option. In neither case does it replace a proper, professional survey but it is a good starting point.
4. Make regular checks. Even if your home gets the all clear from the expert this doesn’t mean that it is the end of the story for ever. Regular checks will make sure that any gradual deterioration is picked up and corrected. You should ask your electrician for advice on how often it needs to be checked out, as this will depend upon the age of the wiring and its current condition. If you agree a maintenance schedule then be sure to note this down somewhere you can be sure to locate it when it is needed.
5. Don’t take any chances. If there is the possibility of something being wrong then you need to get it checked as soon as possible. Even if the wiring isn’t due a routine check for a while you will still want to contact an electrician if you discover a burning smell, smoke or some other sign of possible danger.
6. Avoid risky DIY jobs. Once you know that your home’s electrical system is working fine the best idea is to avoid risking problems with DIY jobs or unnecessary complications. If you need work carried out on the wiring in your property then getting it done professionally is the safest way to maintain the levels of security.
If you stick to these basic points you will be doing your bit to maintain high safety standards in your own home and you will be protecting your family and your possessions from danger at the same time.
