Electrical Repair

Electrical issues in your suburban Chicago home can affect how your home functions, but they can also be a safety hazard. Unless you’re skilled and experienced in electrical work, they are not a DIY project. You need a professional to ensure that electrical repairs are done correctly to keep your family safe.

Electric repairs are also not something to delay. They need immediate attention before they cause bigger problems. The professional electricians at TR Miller Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing are ready to come to your rescue and provide the highest quality electrical work and service that you can find in the Chicago area.

Common Electrical Issues

An electrical system consists of many intricate parts, and a malfunction of any of those parts can cause issues. Common electrical problems that need repair include:

• Flickering lights
• Faulty light fixtures
• Loose outlets
• Hot outlets
• Faulty GFCI outlets and breakers
• Blown fuses
• Power surges
• Tripping circuit breakers
• Buzzing sounds from light switches or outlets
• Faulty light switches
• Shocks from electrical devices
• Burning smells from outlets, switches, fixtures, or the breaker box

Electrical Hazards

Unfortunately, many electrical issues can be dangerous, with a real risk of fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, in 2022 there were 26,100 residential electrical malfunction fires in the U.S. causing 185 deaths, 850 injuries, and nearly $1.5 billion in financial losses.

The list of electric problems that can be hazardous is long, and includes:

• Improper or outdated wiring
• Overloaded circuits
• Lack of proper grounding, such as in two-pronged outlets
• Improperly installed electrical panels or undersized panels
• Wiring exposed to moisture
• Loose electrical connections
• Incorrect breaker sizes
• Overloaded outlets
• Improperly installed light fixtures or ceiling fans
• No GFCI outlets in areas that can get wet
• Bypassed fuses or circuit breakers
• Improperly wired appliances
• Damaged cables
• No Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI)
• No surge protectors
• Exposed wiring in attics or crawl spaces
• Improperly installed outlets

This list is not exhaustive, but it illustrates how important it is to let professionals handle your electric repairs and installation. Many of these problems occur when homeowners take on electrical DIY projects.

Some of these issues are more common in older homes, so if your home is more than 25 years old, you should be vigilant about watching for signs of electric issues. You should also consider having an electrical system inspection.

Electrical System Inspections

If you have an older home, an electrical system inspection is a good idea, particularly if you’ve never had one. You should consider having one every five years. An electrical inspection involves inspecting and testing all components of your electrical system, from the panel to each individual outlet. It will ensure that all components and functions of the electrical system meet legal safety standards.

Newer homes should also be inspected, since electrical components can become worn over time, wires or connections can become loose, and unfortunately, improper installation or repairs can happen. That’s why you should only trust a highly reputable and experienced electrical contractor with your home’s electrical system.