17 ways that you ruin your home, according to Electricians

These electrical errors can endanger you and cause serious damage to your home.


If you thought the last time you thought of the electric load, can your power strip or manage check the wiring of your circuit breaker? If you're like many homeowners, the answer is probably "Well, ever." However, if you wantKeep your home safeThese are just some of the things you need to start considering. Why? Because, according to theInternational Electrical Safety FoundationThere are about 51,000 electrical fires each year, resulting in over 500 deaths and $ 1.3 billion of damage. With this we have gathered all electrical errors as professionals say you should stop doing.

1
Overloading electrical strips

extension cord on the floor with plugs surrounding it
Refuge

Just because there is room for many caps does not necessarily mean that your power strip in the living room is equipped to handle all be used simultaneously.

"This is dangerous because most of these power bars or strips are not designed to carry heavy loads and can cause electrical fires, melted plastics and other problems," saidDarrell Ingeveld, general manager ofAn electric brighter day. Instead, he recommends you add additional outlets to your home to meet your electrical needs.

2
Use of extension cords with defective outputs

Orange Extension Cord
Refuge

This unreliable market will always cause problems if all you do is plug an extension agreement as a means of supporting devices without connecting them directly.

"Most of the extensions are noted for devices that consume a low value ... and are not designed towholesale electrical current [I like] heaters, coffee makers, ovens toaster, toaster and cappuccino machines, "says Ingeveld. This could contribute to the risk of fire in your home, then an electrician correct the problem before searching for a workaround.

3
Performing an extension a window

open window
Shutterstock / Ronstik

If you have no electrical outlet in the open, do not try dangerous workaround in the suspension of your holiday parties or your landscaping equipment.

"Never run extension cords through a window even if it is for temporary use," saysNicholas fattizzi ofPaul Fattizzi Electric. It also notes that it can frighten his son, creating a fire hazard and the most indoor extension cords are rated for outdoor use to start.

4
Or use them as a permanent solution

overloaded power strip
Shutterstock / Elvira Koneva

The use of extension agreements on a long term basis instead of specific finite situations is a major mistake.

"If you have extension cords in your home or apartment, you turn your electrical system at risk, and to curious children and pets at risk of serious injury or worse," said Fattizzi. Not only do they pose a serious risk to stay was a fire hazard if used recklessly or long way.

5
An extension cord into another

white guy in dirty clothes holding two ends of an extension cord
Shutterstock / Bart Sadowski

Connecting multiple extension cords can help to power appliances in remote areas of the wall outlets, but it is also a dangerous solution.

"With something to do with electricity, you must use it responsibly and carefully," saidDavid Walter, founder ofMentor electrician, Who notes that these piggie of extension agreementsRisk of fire potential. Instead, move your devices closer to go out or have you installed additional.

6
Installing a larger circuit breaker as a solution for every problem

white hand flipping switch in circuit breaker
Shutterstock / Sutiwat Jutiamornloes

A frequently tripped circuit breaker is not something that can be solved by simply exchanging for a larger electrical panel.

"The establishment of a larger circuit breaker can cause overheating and begin to melt the surrounding material," says Ingeveld. Before doing anything, he said that an electrician diagnosed the reason behind the problem.

7
Ignore the power limitations of your circuits

power outlet on exterior walls
Refuge

It's not because you have five points of sale in your bedroom that you necessarily have five separate electrical circuits. He pays to know how many circuits youto do And what kind of electric charge they can support - before you put yourself from danger.

"As a general rule, you must not exceed 80% [electrical capacity] in a single circuit," says Fatizzi. However, there is an easy way to avoid this error, he says, "All you connect should have a label that tells you how much energy it pulls."

8
Do not modernize the old wiring in your home

knob and tube wiring in older home
Shutterstock / Alessandro Cancan

Your house may have been recently renovated, but what about electrical wiring?

"The wiring that was used before 30 years ago is very fragile and has undergraduate insulation," says Fattizzi. "After years and years of abuse, the wire is at a much higher risk of failure. What should you do? "If you want to play safely, with an electrician to replace your old wiring and update your electrical service to answer your devices," he says.

9
Nothing else in connecting the same circuit that feeds your space heater

space heater weird old household objects
Shutterstock / hello_ji

The reheating resistors attract a huge amount of electricity, so it is preferable to give them a circuit that is clean. "With this single connected device, you have a maxped-out circuit and anything else in connected is the overload," says Fattizzi.

10
The use of adapters to activate the two-pin outputs in the three pins

older two-prong outlet
Shutterstock / ADUBLE CREATIONS

Although converters that allow you to insert athree-pin plug In a two-pin plug exist, their use can cause more problems than all levels of convenience, you got them for in the first place.

"There is a small circular tab on these adapters that are intended to be attached to the metal part of the box in the wall behind it" that most people do not know, explains Fattizzi. Skipping This way to do that your exit is not connected to the Earth, which can present a "very dangerous".

11
Using bad bulbs

young asian man fixing light bulb
Shutterstock / Narongrit Lokoolprakit

Ignoring the power of your lamps because you want to avoid having to run buy the appropriate bulbs simply not a shortcut value.

"The reason for aThe maximum size of the bulb is because of the level of heat produced by the bulb "says Fattizzi. If you overload this outlet, excess heat produced will degrade the insulation on the wiring of the device as well as the wiring providing the power to this device. "

12
Fixing an ordinary aluminum wire cap

white hand removing electrical socket from wall
Shutterstock / Hen Cock Chant

Fixing a conventional electrical outlet or passage to an aluminum wire in an old house may seem an innocuous thing to do, but it is actually surprisingly dangerous.

"Aluminum wire and copper devices dilate and contract at different rhythms, which often causes loose connections and can create heat and cause a fire," saysJoel Wilson, Co-owner ofElectrical projector, Inc.

13
Coating or nesting of electrical cords

covered power strip
Shutterstock / Maskarad

There is a simple way to make your home safer in seconds: Clear any clutter your power tapes or the cords of the device.

"Covering threads can cause cords to overheat, which could lead to an electric fire," explainsAdrian Faull, Director ofFix Electrical Contractors.

14
Using the wrong catches in your bathrooms

grounded outlet home problems
Refuge

If you do not have the appropriate outlets in all your bathrooms, it's time for you to hire an electrician to remedy the situation.

"All outlets in the bathroom must be equipped with Earth leakage circuit breakers (GFCI), which can detect when an electric current is grounded and automatically stops", explainsMark Dawson, Chief Exploitation ofMr. Sparky.

15
Do not replace damaged wires

fraying phone charger cable
Shutterstock / William Hager

Continuing to use wires or electrical cables that are in an unsatisfactory state does not seem to be the most obvious error you can do, but the reality is that it can be a major safety risk.

Whether it's a wire inside your walls or a faded sheet, "If you notice a thread that is worn or damaged, replace immediately," saysKeith Pinkerton, Owner ofM. ELECTRICALE In Huntsville, Alabama.

16
Ignoring the front-running signs of electrical problems

dim lamp on nightstand
Shutterstock / Yurkovsky

Your home sends you the signals that, according toBrianne Deerwester ofInternational Electrical Security Foundation, In particular "frequent triggering of blowers or blowing fuses, decreased light when other devices on, buzzing switches or points of sale, discolored points of sale, and devices that seem underpowered" -Why do not make you Nothing for the address?

17
Any attempt at DIY electrical repairs

white hand installing light switch cover
Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images

The electricity works can cost a pretty penny, and you are the kind of person who likes to do things for oneself, but with regard to the safety of you, your family and your home, you sometimes have to leave the professionals .

"As much as you want to think that you can solve your own problems, when it comes to something that could harm you in life, calling a professional," says Walter.


Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: Home / Safety
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