Solving an Electrical Problem

When you think about a house having electrical issues, you may picture flickering lights or breakers that constantly trip. However, there may be hidden problems that are not obvious unless you know to look for them. If you find either of the signs below, there is a good chance that your home has serious hidden issues with its electrical wiring.

1.  You Get Shocked When Touching Metal Fixtures

One sign that your home may have hidden wiring issues can be found when you touch certain metal fixtures in your house. When you reach out to turn on a lamp or turn on an appliance, you may receive a strong shock that is similar to but stronger than static electricity.

However, unlike static electricity, the shock that is received can leave your hand tingling for more than a few seconds. You may even feel the shock travel partway through your body. 

If you are being shocked whenever you touch metal pieces on fixtures, there is most likely a short somewhere within the wall. Because metal is an excellent conduit for electrical currents, the short will jump to the nearest piece. 

Because your body can also serve as an electrical conduit, the electrical current may jump from the metal to your hand. While the shock may seem minor, it does pose eventual electrocution and/or fire risk and should be looked at as soon as possible by a professional. 

2.  Your Outlet Covering Feel Hot to the Touch

Another sign for which you should be on the lookout that could indicate a hidden wiring problem is felt when you either go to take a plug out of an outlet or lay your hand on the face covering.

Normally, even if you are running heavy appliances through an outlet, its covering should not feel hot. However, if there is a short within the outlet or a wire feeding it, the excess electrical current will generate heat. 

If enough heat is generated, the outlet will feel hot to the touch. Since this heat will dissipate into the wall surrounding it, it poses a serious fire hazard and should be looked at immediately.

Even if you do not notice any obvious problems, the signs above are indicative of a serious issue with your home's wiring that should be addressed by a professional as soon as possible. Contact an electrician like those at Gotto Electric near you to have them fully inspect your home's wiring so that they can take action to fix any problems they find.