Home Rewiring Signs Landlord ELectrical Safety Certificate

Unlike a dripping roof, crumbling walls, or broken lock, your home's wiring is unseen and often forgotten.

That's especially concerning with older homes or those where the wiring hasn't been checked in a long time. After some time, regular use will inevitably cause wiring faults, and when that happens, the consequences can be disastrous. The Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate estimates that approximately 20,000 fires are started yearly because of electrical problems.

Rewiring your home to BS 7671 standards is the best way to prevent this destruction and keep your wiring secure. Although the wires themselves may be out of sight, this piece will discuss how to tell if it's time to rewire your home.

Thrills

Have you ever felt a jolt when plugging something into an electrical outlet? What about a slight hum when you turn on the lights? It could be the result of a malfunctioning device or electrical outlet. However, it is more likely an indication that your home needs electrical wiring work.

Disturbing sounds

The sounds made by your wall outlets and light switches are another red flag. A more direct statement would be that there should be none. However, sockets can shift out of place due to normal wear and use, exposing wiring. If you notice a buzzing sound coming from your wall outlets or light switches, it is highly recommended that you have them checked out by a licensed electrician.

Intensified discoloration

Lastly, the color of the plugs and switches should be verified. Tiny fires can start in your lashes and sockets if the connections between them are slack. As soon as you see any discoloration, call an electrician.

Lights An issue with your wiring may extend beyond your light switches. Lights that flicker on their own indicate that your home needs rewiring. Most of the time, this will be because of the light bulb. If you've just switched it out and the issue persists, it could be a wiring problem.

Trips

It's not just the lights that can go out, but also the outlets and plugs. Circuit breakers instantly shut off the power supply when an electrical defect is detected, such as a power surge, excessive current, or faulty components.

Age

If you're looking for a straightforward indicator that it's time to rewire your home, look no further than its age. While the criteria above can help you spot an installation that's seen better days, the most reliable indicator is the time since the wiring was updated.

Most homes built in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s likely still have their original wiring and will require upgrading to current uPVC-coated wiring. These older systems lack circuit breakers, and when problems arise, there is no advance warning. The same holds for homes that haven't updated their wiring in 20 years or more; by that point, it will have deteriorated significantly.

Recommendations about what to do if you see these symptoms

The sooner you call a licensed electrician if you suspect your home's wiring requires attention, the better. London Property Inspections to determine if your home requires rewiring, our crew can perform a safe, quick evaluation of your installation.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 020 3239 0374, via email, or via our online contact form.