Buying a house is one of the biggest investments you’ll make, so it’s only natural to want to make sure you buy the right one. For experienced homeowners, you may be familiar with the typical problems to be aware of when house hunting – mold, roofing problems, major structural damage. But if you’re only about to start the search for a home for the first time, there are a few things you need to learn before you head out – starting with electrical problems that are definite red flags.

Common Electrical Problems At Home

Since faulty electrical systems can result in major damage to a home, sometimes as serious as a house fire, you’ll want to ask all parties involved (the seller, the home inspector, you get the idea), if any of the following issues are present:

1. Exposed electrical wires. Electrical wires aren’t a toy, and for the most part, they really shouldn’t be visible to you or anyone else in the home. Not only does this pose a safety risk for families with young children who will pick up just about anything, but it also opens the door for more physical damage to occur.
2. DIY electrical repairs/installations. Many homeowners love to approach things DIY style, and in some cases, that isn’t a bad thing. However, electrical work should never be done by anyone but a professional, as it is not only dangerous, but could result in a home not following code.
3. Lights that flicker. Although flickering lights may only mean that a light bulb is loose, it could also mean that the electrical wiring in the circuit breaker is loose – a much more serious problem.
4. Failing electrical outlets. This one may seem like a no brainer, but it’s certainly one worth talking about. If some of the home’s electrical outlets aren’t working, that means there is a larger underlying problem to deal with – wiring may be loose or the outlets themselves may be damaged.

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Suffolk County, New York, the team here at TFC Electric Inc. can perform an electrical inspection to ensure that all work was performed safely and correctly. After the inspection is completed, we will provide you with a Certificate of Compliance accordingly.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with us, please call (631) 589-2800 today.