Everyone wants to save money. That’s not uncommon or new. What is new is the amount of people approaching home repairs like do-it-yourself projects due to the availability of online tutorials for just about everything. Tutorials are great for teaching people how to change their own oil, cut their own hair, and get that stain out of the couch. However, home repairs are a different arena. When your home needs electrical work, viewing the job as a common DIY fix isn’t wise. Electrical work isn’t an area to skimp on. For starters, it’s extremely dangerous. You or someone else in your home can experience severe harm if the job goes awry, and you may even cost yourself a great deal of money if you do the job incorrectly. There are some jobs you need to call in a professional for, and these four electrical issues are at the top of the list. If you’re needing one of these four jobs done, call a trusted Raleigh electrician and get it done safely and effectively the first time.
1. Adding Outlets, GFCI Receptacles, & USB Ports
If you find your home needs additional electrical outlets, a trained electrician needs to install these, as it involves cutting into the wall and manipulating the wiring. Electricians can also convert any existing outlets to ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). GFCIs shut off power if water comes in contact with the electricity or if the electrical load becomes unbalanced. Many older homes lack these, but today, electrical code often requires them in bathrooms and kitchens. This job requires a professional. Improper grounding can lead to a loss of power or a home fire.
2. Outdoor Lights
An electrician is needed for outdoor lighting due to the risk for improper grounding. If you’re wanting to add security or ambient lighting around your home, your electrician can thread wires outdoors if there was not one there before. A professional can also help you choose the right lighting for your outdoor use.
3. Circuit Breakers
Your breaker box is the hub for all electricity in your home. When you add new appliances to your home, and definitely if you’re adding new rooms, the electrical service panels will need to be looked at and likely upgraded to ensure they’re supplying adequate power to all needs. When the circuit breaker can’t accommodate the load, you’ll end up with blown fuses, flickering lights, and unreliable electricity. Updating your panel is a complicated job, and should never be attempted by an amateur.
4. Light Fixtures
Generally, a homeowner could manage this task. However, there are a few situations in which a professional electrician should take over. The first being if you aren’t sure that your current circuit amperage is enough to cover the wattage of your new light. If not, you’ll need a new wire ran from your circuit breaker. If your home is older, be sure that you have high-temperature insulation. A major thing to be certain of is that your ceiling mounting is strong enough to support the new fixture. If you’re not 100% positive on all of these, call an electrician.
Electrical work is a dangerous but necessary job, and it’s one that requires detailed technical knowledge to ensure a safe, accurate result. If you’re in need of any of these four electrical jobs, call CMC Service Experts at (919) 246-4798 or contact us on our site. We’re a trusted Raleigh electrician backed by years of experience. We handle a wide range of electrical needs quickly, effectively, and professionally.
