Residents
Owners
Rental property owners must be proactive in preventing electrical problems. It’s something you don’t want to experience, and some landlords fail to check minor electrical issues until they become major troubles. Don’t wait until an electrical problem leads to a fire that sometimes results in property damage or even death.
Such unfortunate circumstances can be avoided at all costs. While it’s not easy to identify electrical issues, there are signs that tell your rental property might have electrical problems.
Frequent Tripping of the Circuit Breaker
Electrical systems should have circuit breakers to identify electrical issues and isolate the load. Once the circuit breaker detects an electrical fault, there will be a power shutdown. It helps prevent damage to your electric equipment and house fires caused by an electrical problem.
If you notice that breaker trips happen frequently, it’s telling you that there are some electrical issues to your rental property that need immediate action. You must contact a licensed electrician near you to diagnose and solve the problem.
Don’t DIY if you have little knowledge of how to fix the problem. We’re talking about electricity here. It might cause more problems than you can ever imagine if you don’t call for help from an expert.
Old Electrical Wiring
Electrical wires and cables have lifespans. If electrical wiring exceeds a certain lifespan, it becomes outdated or shows wear and tear. Outdated wiring can cause electrical faults and damage to electric devices. Much worse, if these old wires and cables are damaged and exposed, they can lead to electrocution and house fire.
Don’t let your rental property add to the statistics of electric fires that happen every year. Check if the wires and cables are cracked, loose, or damaged. If you know that you have outdated wiring, make sure to hire a licensed electrician to replace it.
Noise from Electrical Panels
Did you just hear a crackling or humming noise coming out of your electrical panel? If yes, you might have an electrical problem.
Electrical panels shouldn’t make any noises. Once there’s a crackle or hum inside, it means that there’s something sparkling or burning there. This happens when the wirings get overloaded. Don’t let it pass because this electrical problem is an urgent concern. Call a licensed electrician immediately.
Blown Fuses
Fuses protect your rental property and electronic equipment against power surges and overloading. They blow off and shut down the power before causing damage to your electrical wiring and equipment.
There are several causes why fuses blow:
- Circuit overload
- Electrical circuit problems
- Damaged wiring
- Faulty arc
- Installing the wrong fuse
For your safety, you better contact a licensed electrician to diagnose the cause of blown fuses and solve the problem.
Flickering Light Bulbs
Another telltale sign you might have an electrical problem in your rental property is when light bulbs start to flicker. Several factors cause flickering lights:
- Faulty light bulbs
- Faulty wiring
- Faulty switch
- Circuit overload
- Voltage drop when starting up electrical appliances
- Loose light plugs
- Incompatible or loose bulbs for the dimmer switch
Flickering or dimming lights are really annoying. When you notice it or your renters start to complain about it, hire a licensed electrician to see and fix this electrical problem.
Discolored or Scorched Power Outlets and Switches
It’s a warning sign of an electrical problem if you see discoloration or scorched marks on light switches and power outlets. It means that the wiring inside is burning. Even if the power outlet or light switch doesn’t show these signs, it may feel warm when you touch it. Don’t hesitate to call an electrician to see this problem.
Burning Smells
The synthetic coatings on your electrical wiring burn when they overheat and spark. When this happens, you’ll notice an obnoxious smell of burnt plastic. Make sure to take action quickly before it leads to a fire outbreak.
Locate the source of the burning smell. If you find that the smell is coming from a power outlet or an electronic appliance, you might be facing a serious problem.
When you already notice a strong, burning scent or smoke, switch off the power source or all your electronic devices. Call for help from an electrician to fix this electrical issue.
Takeaway
If you own a rental property, you should ensure that you regularly check electrical issues before they become major problems. Electrical problems can lead to fire outbreaks that can result in irreparable property damage and loss of life. As a rental property owner, it’s your priority to protect your tenants from such unfortunate events.
You must know how to detect warning signs of an electrical problem. Orient your tenants on how to report electrical issues in your rental property. It’s best to set up a maintenance request system or a communication line to ensure that electrical issues are addressed immediately.
