Electrical Flaws Discovered During A Home Inspection

A home inspection is vital when detecting problems that are not visible to untrained eyes. While many prefer inspecting their property by themselves, applying for a home inspection is suggested. The expert with the right tools can detect severe electrical problems before they cause enormous damage to your home.

The issues detected during a home inspection are mostly related to safety issues and the national electric code. The issues detected are mostly around old wiring, electrical panels, ungrounded outlets, improper writing, and smoke detectors. A certified electrician can help you repair the detected issues during a professional inspection.

Here is the list of commonly detected electrical problems during a home inspection:

1. Outdated wiring issues:
Compared to today’s upgraded technology, older homes have outdated wiring, which is unnecessarily complex and inadequate. Old electrical wiring can be hazardous for you and your family.

• Knob and tube-

Knob and tube wiring is the oldest manner of wiring found in residences. We need more than this to meet the modern demand of our household electrical needs. Most of the housing these days gets their wiring upgraded to modern wiring.  

• Aluminum wiring-

Aluminum wiring is more defective than copper wiring and becomes more hazardous with time. This kind of wiring is especially known for overheating, which increases the chances of a house fire. 

• Improper Wiring Installation -

The home inspector will always look for poor workmanship and improper wiring. Hiring an unlicensed electrician is very common, but as long as the work is completed properly, it won’t be a problem. Unfortunately, there are times when the work done is not up to the mark and can create severe hazards for the people living on the property. 

2. Reversed Polarity:
Reverse polarity can result from improper configuration of the wires upstreaming from the outlet. Reverse polarity is an electrocution hazard that needs an immediate fix. You can buy an outlet tester and self-test the outlets to ensure their safety. Also, apply for a certified property inspection report so that you can 

3. Missing Switch / Outlet Cover Plates:  
All the switches in the property should have cover plates installed to protect the naked wire connections. When the covers are absent on the switches and outlets, it may lead to serious shock hazard risks, mostly for small kids and pets. 

The outlet covers are mostly found missing in newly renovated or painted properties. The painters remove the covers while painting and forget to place them back. If you find missing covers, get them fixed, as they are inexpensive and easy to install.

4. Ungrounded Receptacles:
The outlets that do not have any space for ground are the ungrounded receptacles. This is a common issue detected in old homes. The ungrounded receptacles need a quick fix. Without the ground wire, the electricity can travel wherever it spots a good conductor. This can be a massive problem if left addressed. 

5. Double-Tapped Circuit Breakers:
A double tap is suspected when two wires are interlinked to a single circuit breaker that is designed to accept one wire. This is considered a defect because two wires in a single breaker may be weakly connected to the breaker. A professional electrician can help you correct this by adding extra circuit breakers. 

6. Exposed Wiring & Splicing: 
Exposed wiring can pose shock concerns. This concern only occurs due to improper wiring installation. The wire end may be bare and exposed, resulting in arcing and fire. The issue can be fixed by correctly placing all appliances in a junction box. 

The above-mentioned issues are commonly spotted during a home inspection. Faulty wiring systems can be a real threat to human life, and these issues need immediate action. Updating the wiring and panels can help you ensure the complete safety of your property. Always get a property inspection done while buying an old property. You may spot electrical issues in an old property. 

Electrical issues are essential concerns that must always be addressed. 

We at GTA Inspectors provide best-in-class inspection services to ensure the property is safe for you and your family. 

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