The older your house, the more years of wear and tear start to make their presence known.  And that goes for pretty much everything, from plumbing to woodwork, wall paint, heating and cooling systems and, of course, your electrical infrastructure.

What exactly does electrical wear and tear look like?  Well, to help illustrate the point, let’s look at 5 good reasons to replace a wall outlet:

Crack and Gaps on or the Wall Plate

Once a wall plate cracks or space opens up around it, dirt and dust will find their way inside.  Over time, they act like kindling behind the wall plate, able to ignite a fire without a great deal of provocation. Of course, just because a wall plate is showing signs of wear and tear doesn’t mean the entire outlet needs to be replaced.  If you’re in doubt, contact Excel Electrical.

Paint Inside the Slots

Before you start your next paint job, remember to tape over your outlets or remove those you don’t need during the project.  That will help prevent paint from getting inside an outlet’s slots, and paint is another substance that can lead to an electrical fire.

Charring on Around the Outlet

A healthy, functioning outlet doesn’t spark and char.  And while the spark can be caused either by a problem with its wiring or an appliance that’s plugged into it, you should have that outlet tested and, if necessary, replaced before using it again.

Warm or Hot to the Touch

Without exception, electrical outlets and plates should always be cool to the touch. Check all outlets in your home periodically simply by touching them, including wall plates and screws.  If they’re not cool to the touch, the outlet is overheating.  Cease using it right away and have it replaced.

Dimming and Flickering Lights

A certain amount of dimming or flickering is normal.  But if it happens often, you either have worn outlet wiring, and overloaded circuit, or a problem with the light fixture itself. One that should be properly investigated by a licensed and qualified electrician.

So, what condition are your outlets in?  Because if you have one or more with the symptoms featured in this blog, your family’s ongoing safety is all the reason you need to contact Excel Electrical for prompt and reliable service.  We’ll test and assess the condition your outlets and give you a guaranteed upfront price on any repair work that might be needed. Excel Electrical:  helping you put safety first.