Signs You Need to Rewire Your House | Christchurch Electrical

Deteriorating, old or outdated wiring in a property can cause electrical faults and even pose a significant risk of fire or electrocution. It’s an easy thing to forget to consider, but it’s well worth taking notes of warning signs before it’s too late.

The warning signs that something is wrong is usually very clear, and when that happens, you should take prompt action to resolve the issue by consulting an experienced local electrician. Here are some of the warning signs.

People tend to associate the flickering of lights and appliances to old age, and that is generally true. While flickering can be normal with some high-draw appliances that suddenly demand a lot of power from your system, intermittent or frequent flickers with things like lights can indicate a problem with the wiring.

Fuses and circuit breakers are designed to blow or trip when the electrical load demanded is higher than what the it allows. It’s a safety function that is integral to having functioning power in your home. If your fuse or circuit breaker begin to trip on a regular basis, it may indicate a problem.

For example, many fuses in older homes are not equipped to handle the load of some modern appliances and may need to be upgraded to more modern circuit breakers. Faulty wiring and overloading may be an issue if breakers are tripping too often.

If you hear buzzing and humming sounds coming from your outlets, this indicates a serious problem that an electrician needs to address as soon as possible. It means your wiring is compromised, and the threat of an electrical fire is quite serious at this point. If this happens, you should stop using that outlet and call an electrician immediately.

If you see discolouration around your outlets or notice an acrid or burning plastic smell, this is also considered an electrical emergency. It may mean your wiring is shorting behind your walls or under your floor. Call an electrician to immediately address this, as it poses a risk to your property and your safety.

No matter how good an electrical system is, they tend to require an overhaul after around 40 years. If you know exactly how old your wiring is, you should consult an electrician to update it as it reaches an advanced age. If you’re unsure how old your wiring is, you can determine an approximate age by looking at socket numbers and types.

If your electrical system was installed a few decades ago, you may also notice that there are fewer sockets in each room. Visible damage like cracks and discolouration can also indicate advanced age.

Christchurch Electrical can help if you want your property’s wiring assessed or need assistance with any other electrical services. Our qualified electricians can come evaluate your home in Christchurch and confirm whether rewiring is necessary. For more information, get in touch with our team today by calling (03) 659 0611 or contact us online.