5 DIY Solutions to Stop Using for Common Electrical Issues

As Master Electricians who specialize in servicing older homes in the St. Albert and Edmonton areas, we’ve seen some unusual do-it-yourself or DIY solutions to common electrical problems. The one area of your home where you should not try to DIY a fix-it solution is your electrical system. Not only could you be putting yourself in physical danger, but you could also be increasing the fire hazards in your home. It’s best to leave the electrical service to licensed electricians to keep your home comfortable and yourself safe. Here are five DIY solutions you should stop using in your home.

How to Troubleshoot Electrical Problems the Safe Way

1. Stop Using Extension Cords and Power Bars

There are certain areas of your home where a power surge-protected power bar is acceptable to use. This might be your entertainment centre where you need to plug in your TV, your cable box, your game consuls, and speakers. You may need an extension cord when plugging in Christmas light or using a machine in the corner of your home where there are no readily available electrical outlets. The time when power bars and extension cords become hazardous is when they are used in excess to run machines on a regular basis.

Solution: Older homes that are short on electrical outlets cannot be overloaded with power bars as this can result in a fire hazard. Instead, have a certified electrician add additional outlets in the areas of your home where you need more electrical supply. 

2. Stop Alternating Use of Large Appliances

Older homes with 100-amp service cannot manage the demand for modern appliances. Some people with older homes and several high-power appliances master the art of balancing the usage of those appliances. For example, an individual may have learned the hard way that they cannot run their oven, dishwasher, or laundry at the same time. Therefore they are careful to alternate the usage to avoid tripping breakers constantly. 

Solution: Just as you upgrade older appliances and devices, check and see if you should upgrade your electrical panel to a 200-amp service or add extra circuit breakers to your home. Each year Albertan homes require more power to supply electrical devices and appliances. Not running your appliances at the same time is a headache you can avoid. 

3. Stop Ignoring Flickering Lights

If the lights in your home are flickering, there is usually a reason. It may be as simple as tightening the light bulb or changing the bulb. However, it could be a sign of something more serious. There may be a problem with the electrical wiring to the outlet, or it could be an issue with your light fixture. In either scenario, the problem can and should be fixed. If the problem does lie in your electrical system and the wiring, you could be living with an electrical fire hazard waiting to happen.

Solution: Have a certified electrician visit your home to assess and fix the problem. The sooner you know the cause of the flickering lights, the sooner you can sleep soundly. 

4. Stop Avoiding Certain Outlets

Do you have an outlet in your home that isn’t working? We recommend you stop ignoring it and have it assessed. There are various reasons why an outlet may not be working. The answer could be as straightforward as it was never connected to your electrical system in the first place. However, the reason could also be more dangerous, such as a circuit that has shorted or overloaded. It might also be an outlet that has been backstabbed rather than connected securely around the proper screws. 

Solution: If your home is older and has outlets that aren’t working, have a certified electrician inspect and fix the problem, so you have peace of mind that there are no hidden hazards in your walls.  

5. Stop Living with an Old Fuse Box

Many older homes have outdated electrical panels. While a stab lock panel installed in the 1960s is not a code violation, it cannot handle the electrical demands of modern homes. The danger with these panels is that there is no breaker to trip when a circuit is overloaded. 

Solution: Have an electrician provide a quote on upgrading your electrical panel to a safer, modern panel with 200-amp service. 

Master Electricians in St. Albert, Alberta

Don’t wait for an electrical hazard to appear; call a Master Electrician at MMi Electric in St. Albert. We’re ready to diagnose and fix all your residential electrical needs.