If you’re a home owner, the top two things on your to-do list are probably save money and get all of the bills paid. If a electrical problems arise, fixing them yourself could potentially save you a lot of time and stress. But what if the problem turns out to be something you have no idea how to fix? How do you know when to fix it yourself and when to call an electrician?
Odds are, if something goes wrong with your electricity that’s more severe than a burnt out light bulb, you’re not going to be able to resolve the issue before you get a quote from an electrician. Unless you’re a trained electrician, fixing it yourself probably isn’t the best option, especially if the problem is inside your wiring. In 2011, there were nearly 48,000 structure fires in homes that were caused by some form of electrical issue. Whether it was a broken AC unit, or a problem with electrical wiring, all of these disasters could have been prevented with the help of an electrician!
There are over 580,000 electricians working in the United States alone, so if you need to get a quote from an electrician, odds are there’s definitely one in your area. Quotes for electrical inspections are fairly easy to get, too! Most experts recommend an electrical inspection every 10 years to assess your home’s need for electrical repairs. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, however, then you may need to call an electrician more often than once every 10 years.
Annually, electrical fires cause over $1 billion in property damage. Part of the problem is old and faulty equipment that hasn’t been properly or regularly inspected, but issues can also arise when DIY repairs go wrong. If you’re not a trained electrician, don’t try to fix the wiring in your house! First and foremost, you don’t want to cause any injury to yourself, because not only would the problem go unfixed, but you’d add a slew of medical expenses to your bills. Second, even if you’re unscathed, you may not have actually fixed the problem.
Calling to get a quote from an electrician isn’t scary! In all honesty, it will definitely help you more than it will hurt your wallet. Don’t wait if you’re noticing electrical issues in your home!