Electrical wiring is a highly regulated industry for one simple reason — electricity poses a significant health and safety risk. If you’re unsure about the state of your home’s wiring, a safety inspection will pinpoint any potential issues and could just save your life.

Potential Hazards

It’s hard to overstate just how much of a danger electricity poses. According to the National Fire Protection Association, faulty wiring causes tens of thousands of fires every year as well as hundreds of deaths. Poor wiring can cause:

• People to be electricuted
• Damage to electronics
• Sparks that can ignite combustible materials

Part of the danger is electricity’s prevalence. Practically every single permanent structure in the United States is connected to the grid. However, wiring is by and large neglected as part of home maintenance. It’s usually hidden in your home’s walls, and most homeowners don’t address wiring issues until the circuit breaker flips off or outlets start sparking.

Common Problems

Homes built before the 1970s often lack grounded circuits. These provide a basic level of protection against wiring malfunctions, such as short circuits. In a grounded circuit, the ground redirects electricity away from the electric fixture or appliance to the ground outside your home.

Some DIY homeowners install circuits, outlets, or fixtures without obtaining the proper permits or having them inspected by local officials. Would you trust your family’s safety with somebody’s paperclip and duct tape wiring job?

Uncovering the Truth

A home safety inspection can cover everything from individual fixtures to every inch of wiring in your home. Your electrician will determine if an issue poses a substantial safety risk. They’ll also point out things that need to be updated to meet current building codes and other issues that can be safely ignored. For example, circuits without a ground might not violate code if the circuit uses special non-grounded receptacles. It’s with that kind of knowledge that a professional electrician can make an informed decision.

Want to make sure that your home’s electrical wiring is up to code? Check out our list of home safety inspections and other electrical services, or give us a call at 903-200-4584 today.