Home Buying 101: Electrical Issues to Consider

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran when it comes to purchasing a house, words like “inspection” and “appraisal” are constantly running through your head. While many novices tend to focus on the more glamorous items like an open concept living area and an updated kitchen, the true experts know the real value lies in things unseen- like the electrical system(s) in your home.

The electric work may seem like one of the less critical features to worry about. Still, the electrical wellbeing of your home is a significant safety concern and one that could potentially keep you from sealing the deal when buying- or selling- a home. So for those of you who may not be as well-versed in the realm of home electrical matters, we’ve compiled some of the most basic but also the most essential electrical issues to consider and be aware of in your adventures in home buying.

Electrical Hazards

In a home inspection, electrical or general, one of the top priorities of the person performing it is any potential hazard. Electrical hazards are perhaps the most concerning, as they can lead to a whole litany of other dangers, like fires and electrocution. 

If the home you are buying is more than 40 years old, inspectors will want to see that the electrical work has been updated at some point and that the wiring does not present any possible threat, immediate or down the road. Issues that may lead to electrocution or shock are major red flags and should be at the top of the list when it comes to repairs that need to be done before closing the sale.

Wall and Switch Outlet Conditions

Speaking of electrical hazards, inspectors will thoroughly examine the condition of the wall and switch outlets throughout the house to ensure that they are in safe working order. 

Outlets and switches that appear damaged are a safety concern and may also point to deeper electrical issues. Furthermore, the location of wall and switch outlets is also considered, like areas with potential for moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. 

Electrical Panel Issues

The electrical panel is consistently one of the most observed items in a home inspection. It makes sense, considering it is essentially the “brain” that controls all of the electrical functions in the home’s system. 

Electrical panels that are mislabeled, dysfunctional, outdated, or risk exposure to moisture pose dangerous threats to the safety of those living in the home. While this is certainly not an all-inclusive list of issues with the electrical panel, it certainly represents the biggest concerns of inspectors and homeowners alike.

Grounding System Safety

Grounding system safety measures for the electrical system of your home protect against potential threats that, while rare, could cause serious harm.

For example, power surges caused by lightning strikes, voltage spikes, and down wires could all wreak havoc on your home’s electrical system and possibly injure those inside. However, with proper grounding, you can minimize and even eliminate the danger and destruction of these situations.

Surge Protection

Surge protection is related to the grounding system in that grounding systems provide a type of surge protection. However, your home also needs the assurance of surge protection within its own system. 

Surge protection within your home essentially means that you have measures in place to safeguard overwhelming any one area of your electrical system. Outlet-based surge protectors are a great way to do this in places where you anticipate using multiple devices at a time.

BCU is proud to service any electrical concern(s) to help you in your journey of selling or purchasing a home

Residential electrical issues can be complex and sometimes even a bit scary. The good news is that they don’t have to be. BCU Electric provides home electrical inspections to assist you in your home buying journey. In addition, we can make suggestions and even complete the repairs and upgrades needed to make your home an electrical safe zone. Most residential electrical issues are both cheap and easy to resolve, so why not entrust them to the experts? All you have to gain is peace of mind.

To have a home electrical inspection done, contact our Residential Project Manager, Jeremy Barker, for more information!