11 Signs It’s Time to Give Your Electrical System an Overhaul

How do I know if my house needs rewiring

According to the US Fire Administration, an estimated 24,200 electrical fires occur each year. A huge chunk of these fires are caused by old or faulty electrical wiring. Luckily, this problem can be prevented by regularly testing your home’s wiring and replacing it as needed.

So how often should you have your home’s wiring tested? How can you tell when it’s time to call in electrical contractors to rewire your property in Fort Collins, CO? How much does this task typically cost, and can you take care of it on your own?

We’ve previously listed the crucial signs of electrical problems to keep an eye out for, discussed the dangers posed by electrical fires, and dived into the essential history of electrical energy. Now we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about electrical system repair and take a look at 11 common signs of damaged or aging wiring. Read on to learn more.

How do I know if my house needs rewiring?

As a general rule, you should have the electrical installation at your home tested once every 10 years if you own the place, and once every 5 years if you’re a tenant. Furthermore, always be on the lookout for the common signs of faulty wiring.

Here are 11 signs it’s time to overhaul your electrical system:

  • The electrical panel is over-fused or over-amped
  • Insulation is broken, cut, or cracked
  • Hot or discolored plugs, cords, or switch plates
  • You get an electrical shock when touching or plugging in a cord
  • Frequent light bulb burnouts
  • Burning smells
  • Outlets are sparking or arcing when you plug or unplug a cord
  • Breakers that frequently trip or fuses that frequently blow
  • Lights are flickering or dimming
  • Sizzling or buzzing sounds
  • The outlets are loose

Can you do DIY electrical work in your own home?

Although there’s nothing stopping you from attempting to adjust, repair, or install major electrical systems at your property, it’s still strongly advised that you leave this task to the pros. As a rule of thumb, electrical work should only ever be performed by trained electricians who have access to specialized equipment.

In addition to the very real risk of electrocution and fire, there are also government regulations to keep in mind. For example, the state of Colorado requires homeowners to obtain a permit before installing electrical wiring. Failing to stay up to code can land you in trouble and prevent you from selling your property down the road.

What is a fair price for an electrician?

As in most other industries, the cost of electrical work can vary widely depending on the scope and complexity of the specific service you requested. For instance, rewiring your entire home will inevitably cost more than replacing the housing on an electrical outlet.

To obtain an accurate quote, reach out to a reputable company in your area and consult with their electricians directly. After learning more about your situation, they will be able to provide you with a quote.

Where can I hire dependable electrical contractors in Fort Collins, CO?

Are you looking for highly trained and experienced electricians who can address your needs in the most effective manner possible? Or perhaps you want to enlist the services of seasoned carpenters, painters, plumbers, deck builders, and other professional craftspeople? If so, you can’t go wrong by giving Handyman Connection of Fort Collins a call.Reach out to us today and have your home improvement and maintenance needs met by the premier experts in the industry. Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that your project is being handled by the best while you relax at the Fossil Creek Dog Park with your loved ones.

The Essential History of Electricity & Electricians

How long has the world had electricity

With the exception of food and medicine, electricity may be the single most important resource today. It powers almost every technology the modern society depends on on a constant basis. It’s so ubiquitous, most people in developed countries simply take it for granted. So it’s easy to forget that it took nearly 300 years of research and development by the greatest minds of their time before electrical energy got to where it is today.

In previous articles, we discussed the major signs of electrical problems to look out for, and discussed the dangers posed by electrical fires and how to avoid them. Now we’ll take a look at an age before electricity was widely used in Fort Collins and calling in an electrician was something very few people needed to do. Keep reading to learn more.

How long has the world had electricity?

Electricity has existed in nature for as long as our world did. However, people didn’t start trying to understand and tame it until the 18th century. During those early days, “natural scientists” from Europe and America used every opportunity to study and analyze electricity as it appeared in nature.

It wasn’t until the late 19th century that researchers were able to reliably produce electricity in laboratory conditions and create the basis of what we know today as the science of electricity was defined. From this point forward, many distinguished researchers and entrepreneurs made significant strides toward making electrical energy what it is today.

Major contributors to the field of electricity include:

  • Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), provided evidence that electricity and lighting were one and the same.
  • Andre-Maire Ampere (1775-1836), who created the International System of Units.
  • Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), figured out that electricity could carry sound. This culminated in the invention of the telephone.
  • Luigi Galvani (1737-1798), whose discoveries made the invention of the voltaic pile possible.
  • Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), who discovered rotating magnetic fields.
  • Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta (1745-1827), who created the first electric batteries.
  • Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937) & Ferdinand Braum (1850-1918), received the Nobel Prize for inventing a radiotelegraphy system.
  • Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931) invented numerous products that are still in use today. His most famous invention is the electrical light bulb. 
  • Thomas Benjamin Doolittle (1839 – 1921), who created the copper wire that could replace iron wire in the telegraphy industry.

Who were the first electricians?

Aside from lighting streets and the homes of those wealthy enough to afford electricity in its early days, the electricians’ main job was to safely build and showcase the works of inventors such as Westinghouse and Edison to the public.

The biggest and most influential of these early demonstrations occurred at the Chicago fair in 1893. Tesla’s electricians installed some 100,000 electrical light bulbs and 5000 more arc lights, giving the public the first highly publicized taste of what electrical energy was really capable of.

As electricity took the world by storm and electrical devices became a must-have element in people’s homes, so did the demand for qualified electricians who could install, maintain, and repair these devices increase. This gave rise to the electrician profession we know and depend on today.

Where in Fort Collins can I hire an experienced and trained electrician?

Looking for reliable and fairly priced electrician services? Or perhaps you’re in need of trained plumbers, deck builders, painters, woodworkers, and other experts who can assist you with household repairs or home improvement projects?Here at Handyman Connection of Fort Collins, we can do all that and more! Our team of expert technicians will happily take care of your needs while you relax at the Southridge Golf Course with your friends. Reach out to us today.