Watch Out for These 3 Wiring Problems Before Winter

Winter and the holiday season are on their way. Use the fall months for taking steps to prevent potential electrical problems that can lead to fire during the colder months. Winter is much more dangerous electrically because of the use of space heaters and a spike in the number of electrical devices used. Ask a licensed electrician to perform a safety inspection to check for the three wiring problems discussed below.

Exposed Exterior Wiring

Not every house has exterior electrical wiring that is exposed to the elements but if your home does, an electrician should inspect and ensure that they are in good shape before being subjected to the ice and snow of winter. Wintry weather can seriously damage exterior wires, resulting in damage and/or an electrical outage in your home.

Frayed Wires

Any time of the year, fraying wires can pose serious problems for a home’s electrical system and safety. It’s wise to have a house’s wiring checked before temperatures dip. You should also inspect the wiring of appliances, including space heaters that heat certain areas of the house.

Left neglected, fraying or frayed wires can pose a serious fire hazard to a home and its residents. A single faulty wire can create a small electrical spark that could start a fire and burn down the house. Inspecting the wiring of a home should be left to a professional electrician who is licensed and experienced.

Overloaded Circuits

An additional aspect of winter that should be considered is the much higher electrical loads that result from powering holiday lights and decorations. Although your home looks spectacular from the twinkling of many colorful lights, this can lead to the overloading of circuits, which can be a serious fire hazard.

Make sure your home’s electrical system can safely handle the extra demand of holiday lighting before hanging up these decorations. Ask an electrician to do a pre-winter safety inspection to ensure your loved ones will be safe at home.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured. Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.