How to Avoid Burning Down Your House With Bad Wiring

Introduction

As a homeowner, one of the scariest things you can imagine is a fire starting in your house due to faulty electrical wiring. However, there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening. In this article, I will provide an in-depth look at how to avoid burning down your house with bad wiring.

Regularly Check Your Electrical Panel

The electrical panel, or breaker box, controls and protects all the electricity in your home. It's important to periodically inspect it to ensure all is working properly. Here's what I do to check my electrical panel:

• Look for signs of overheating - Discolored breakers, melted wires, or scorch marks can indicate overheating and signal a fire hazard.

• Check for loose connections - Make sure all circuit breakers and wires are securely fastened. Loose connections can cause arcing and sparks.

• Test circuit breakers - Flip each breaker off and on to ensure it is functioning properly. Breakers that do not switch off may not trip when they should.

• Inspect for corrosion - Signs of rust, moisture, or corrosion mean parts need replacing. This can cause shorts.

• Confirm adequate amperage - As you add more electrical devices, make sure your panel has sufficient capacity. An overloaded panel can overheat.

Regularly checking the electrical panel takes just a few minutes but can prevent a tragedy. Pay close attention to any signs of damage or malfunction.

Hire a Licensed Electrician for Any Major Work

While I can handle basic electrical repairs myself, I make sure to call in a licensed pro for any major electrical work. Improper wiring is the most common cause of electrical fires.

Here are some signs it's time to hire an electrician:

• Frequent tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
• Flickering lights
• Unusual buzzing or sizzling from outlets
• Burning smell from outlets or switches
• Discolored outlets/switch plates
• Shocks from appliances/fixtures

Licensed electricians have the expertise to:

• Correctly size wiring - Undersized wiring overheats. Oversized is wasted expense.

• Make tight connections - Loose wires cause dangerous arcing.

• Follow safety codes - Improper wiring can't handle your home's electrical load.

Paying a professional is worthwhile to avoid faulty DIY wiring that could start a fire.

Upgrade Old or Damaged Wiring

If my home has very old wiring or I discover damaged wiring, I make upgrading a priority. Problems like:

• Brittle or cracked wire insulation - Exposes bare wires that can spark and ignite.

• Cloth-wrapped wiring - Outdated and prone to fraying/sparking.

• Aluminum wiring - Expands and contracts, loosening connections.

• Small gauge wiring - Can't handle higher electric loads of modern devices.

• Lack of grounding wire - Puts occupants at risk of shocks. Does not safely divert faults.

Replacing old wiring seems costly, but compares tiny to the expense and heartbreak of rebuilding after a home fire.

Install Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)

AFCIs are advanced circuit breakers that shut off power when a dangerous electrical arc occurs. Arcing causes many fires.

• Where to install - AFCIs are now required in most new bedroom circuits. I'm adding them to all living areas.

• How they work - AFCIs constantly monitor current and shut off power at the first sign of a hazardous arc.

• Why they're worthwhile - These breakers provide protection regular breakers can't. I sleep better knowing AFCIs are standing guard.

In Summary

Electrical fires are preventable with proper maintenance and safety upgrades. I follow these guidelines to keep my home and family safe:

• Regularly inspect electrical panels for any issues

• Hire only licensed electricians for major wiring projects

• Upgrade old, damaged, or insufficient wiring

• Install advanced AFCI breakers in high-risk rooms

Taking these preventative measures provides peace of mind that my electrical system won't be the source of a devastating house fire.