Some home emergencies are easier to identify than others. If you think you have spotted something that doesn’t look quite right, you may be tempted to dismiss it as nothing serious.
However, some electrical issues should never be ignored, or the situation could be much worse than you might expect. Leaving these unattended could result in serious and expensive damage to your home.
But what exactly constitutes an electrical emergency in your home or business in the Hills District? And what should you do if you spot one of these? Read on to find out more.
Overheating or discoloured electrics
If you notice that your plugs are often hot to the touch, then this is an electrical emergency. Again, it could be due to faulty wiring, or to your socket not functioning properly. Similarly, if you notice that your service panel is hot when you go to touch it, this is a serious problem that should be looked at by a skilled professional.
Are your sockets the same white that they were when you first moved in, or when they were first installed? Discolouration of your sockets (often to a brownish colour) could be a sign of an emergency, too. It is not just a natural part of your fittings “ageing”, so make sure you have an electrician look at this.
Odd smells
It might sound strange, but if your electrical sockets are emitting a burning smell, this constitutes an electrical emergency. Similarly, if you notice this smell emanating from your cord, appliances, or even within your walls, this is most likely due to your electronics or wires not being in good working order.
Some freshly purchased appliances may have an odd, hot plasticky scent when you first use them, but this should ease quickly and not reoccur. If you notice a foul, burning odour coming from any of your outlets, this needs to be attended to instantly.
The best thing to do is to contact a qualified electrician in Castle Hill to come and check the situation out; it could be a minor problem, or something that could cause an electrocution or fire danger. Don’t risk the safety of your family or employees and get these concerns checked as soon as possible.
Power cuts
Sometimes, you will experience a power outage and notice that it has impacted your entire neighbourhood. This is usually a more central issue and will be dealt with by the proper authorities and not at your home.
However, if you are experiencing isolated power cuts within your home, with no obvious explanation, this is considered an electrical emergency as power is considered an essential service. It could be due to aged wiring that has frayed and needs replacing, or you may be overloading your electrical system with a faulty device or having too many connected to your system.
Whatever the reason, you should get this checked by an electrician to be certain. If this is a repeated issue, it isn’t normal and should be addressed quickly to ensure the safety of your family.
Remember, an electrical emergency does not need to be something life-threatening. It can be that you do not have power at your premises and needs attending to as soon as possible.
If you have an electrical emergency, or you are unsure if your electrical issue is serious, you should get in touch with a professional as soon as possible. Our qualified experts at O'Brien Electrical Castle Hill can advise you on a wide range of electrical issues and assist you with any electrical emergency that they identify.
So, get in touch with us asap if you have any concerns and need an electrician in the Hills District now.
