Electrical Repairs for the Home

Home electrical repairs are things that a homeowner should be able to do without consulting an electrician. This means that these are usually small things which do not need equipments or gadgets that expert electricians usually carry around.

Changing Lights

This is one of the easiest things that a person can do without the need to call for professional help. When a light bulb or lamp fails to illuminate, chances are it has expired and will need replacement. The first thing to do is to check is if the fuses have been damaged or if the circuit breaker panel has tripped. If one of these occurred, there may be something else wrong with the light which may need the attention of an electrician. Electrical repairs concerning fuses and tripped power panels could mean something is wrong with the wiring. If there is nothing like those described above, then it is safe to change the light. All professionals will advice the home owner to switch off the power to this particular area or at the very least turn off the switch for that particular fixture while changing it. Unscrewing the bulb is easy to do, just make sure that there is enough height to make the job comfortable. Replacing it is as easy as screwing the new one in. If the light is always burning out, then there may be something wrong with the connection and a visit from an electrician may be needed.

Covering Exposed Wires

Exposed wires could mean an electrical shock which can be nasty for many. Electrical repairs for this kind of problem are usually simple. The home owner may become aware of an exposed wire because he or she may have received a slight shock from it or someone else in the house may have. While the shock is slight, the nasty surprise that comes with it can alter one’s safety perception when it comes to the presence of wires. Children and adults alike can become wary of wires lying around the house, which can be a good thing. Usually, appliances are the ones that may have the higher chances of having an exposed wire. When an exposed wire is discovered, it is best to change it for the safety of the occupants of the house. Many electricians do electrical repairs of this nature when called upon to do so. The home owner can do it by unplugging the appliance from the wall outlet before trying to cover the exposure. Electrical tape is necessary for this endeavor. Once the exposed part is found, it is advisable to tape up the area around if for about two inches before and after it. Several rounds of tape around the wire should do the trick but it is much better to actually have the entire length of wire changed to prevent further shocks. Care for the appliance wires should also be exercised.
Avoid getting these caught when closing doors, cabinets and drawers to prevent degrading the outer covering and
exposing the wires underneath.

These two examples of electrical repairs are just two of the simpler ones that a home owner can do. If in doubt regarding what to do, it is best to consult a qualified expert to do the job.