Home Electrical Inspections ― Why Are They Important, and How Often to Schedule One

The Ultimate Guide to Home Electrical Inspections

Home inspections are necessary to identify problems and prevent them from becoming serious. Homeowners shouldn’t skip this process, as it can reveal electrical additions without a proper permit, forecast future costs of reparations, and save insurance. Most importantly, frequent home inspections ensure safety. Tests for carbon monoxide and mould are necessary to protect the family against health complications and home electrical inspections are essential too.

Most of the time, we assume everything’s all right since there are no signs of trouble. Still, hints can be unrecognisable. For example, if you’ve got dead outlets around the house and believe they’re harmless―you’re wrong. They can trigger an electric shock or even be the cause of burns, but only an electrician can identify the source of the issue. 

And there are many more issues electricians can find at your house, which is why you must schedule a home electrical inspection frequently. 

What does a home electrical inspection look like? 

While experts recommend getting a full electrical inspection every ten years, there’s nothing wrong with scheduling one every five years for maximum prevention. Besides basic checks, electricians will also ensure your electrical system is compliant. For example, Wave Electrical Solutions offers thorough testing and inspection based on the Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) or the Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).  

Electricians will: 

• Check the home service panel for loose breakers, possible damage and labels;
• Inspect the wiring to see if the aluminium wire requires an update to copper; 
• Verify “push-in connections” to ensure they’re not a fire hazard; 
• Look for GFCI protection (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) in every room with water; 

What are the signs you need an electrical inspection?

The first sign of a much-needed electrical inspection is the age of the property. Anything over 25 years old might need an annual inspection, especially since older homes can have outdated components. For example, aluminium wire is mostly present in older houses, but it’s highly sensitive to compression, expands and contracts considerably with temperature changes, and is less ductile than copper. Moreover, old panels and electric elements might not meet today’s safety standards. 

However, if the property is newer, watch out for: 

• Flickering lights can indicate faulty wiring; 
• Burning smells from outlets and switches require immediate attention; 
• Sparks or smoke are another critical sign of a needed inspection; 

What about DIY electrical inspections?

Working with electricity is no joke. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) identified several electrical hazards that can lead to injuries or even fatal incidents, such as exposure to arcing and explosions. Many people DIY their electrical inspection, but other than financial benefits, there’s no other reason to do it alone. 

That’s because the risks are considerable when working with wiring systems and electrical sockets. Improper connections can also lead to sparks and fire hazards, so you should choose professional inspections for: 

• Top-notch safety. Professionals are used to working with high-voltage and can efficiently determine the cause of a problem, from structural integrity to plumbing issues; 
• Legal compliance. Electricians are trained and licensed, so they will ensure all inspections are done based on industry standards; 
• In case electricians get injured on site, you’re not responsible for their insurance. However, if you DIY the inspection and have an accident, you’ll pay for your medical treatment; 

What if your house fails the electrical inspection? 

There might be a possibility for your house to fail the electrical inspection. If it doesn’t meet the necessary standards, it requires immediate rectification to protect you and your family. Usually, this happens due to code violations, meaning previous electrical projects neglected proper wiring methods and outlet spacing. 

Other causes of a failed inspection include: 

• Wiring and insulation mishaps, which are significant risks; 
• Overloaded circuits and insufficient breakers can cause a fire; 
• Unauthorised modifications, such as extension cords as permanent wiring;

What to do in case of an electrical emergency? 

If you encounter an electrical emergency before the inspection, try to keep calm and assess the situation. Turn off the power regardless of whether the issue is isolated or affecting the entire property, as you still don’t know the level of urgency of the situation. 

In case of visible smoke or sparks, evacuate the house and move to a safe location until emergency services arrive. As you get out of the house, avoid touching water and conductive materials like metal because these increase the chances of electric shock. 

Common electrical emergencies include: 

• Electrical fires;
• Power outages; 
• Tripping circuit breakers; 
• Downed power lines; 

Want to buy a house? Here’s what to check for

If you want to buy a house and are not an expert in electrical systems, ask a professional to do the check-up and ensure everything is alright before moving in. For example, it would be best to know what type of wiring has been used in the house so you’ll see if it needs a complete change. 

Ideally, a modern and safe home has copper wiring in plastic, but NM, THHN or THWN cables are also efficient. Anything else, such as aluminium wiring, might not be best to keep. 

You also need to know a thing or two about the electrical panel. You may need to update its electrical power to sustain all home appliances and needs, but the minimum is about 100 amps. 

Older homes will surely provide less, so you may need to buy a new panel. 

Finally, the electrician could check if previous electrical work was permitted. This will help them assess the electrical inspection more easily, but a lack of work according to compliance requires more attention when changing the wiring or completing other tasks. 

Have you had your home’s electrical inspection yet? 

Electrical inspections are underrated but so important for home safety. Professional electricians can identify and solve electrical issues, which, in most cases, become a hazard for anyone living in the house. An electrical inspection should be scheduled at least every ten years, but older houses need even an annual inspection due to outdated electrical systems. Watch out for flickering lights, burning smells or sparks as precise indicators of an electrical emergency. 

Guest Article.