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When to Call an Electrician

Published: 24/11/2010 by Patsy Hamilton for HomeImprovement411.ca

Figuring out whether or not to call an electrician might seem like a simple thing to do. But with the popularity of DIY, amateurs are risking life and limb instead of calling a professional.

Things the homeowner can take care of without calling an electrician include resetting circuit breakers. Resetting a tripped breaker is usually as easy as flipping a switch.

If you find that your breakers are tripping frequently, you should check appliance cords for frays. A short could be causing the breakers to trip.

In most cases, you simply have too many appliances hooked into a single outlet. Multi-plug surge protectors can sometimes resolve the problem. The best solution is to move appliances to another area to even out the drain on the breaker.

If moving the appliances is impossible, it is time to call an electrician. He or she can advise you about what action to take. You might need additional outlets or another breaker box. Your circuits could need to be replaced. A reputable electrician will attempt to find the lowest price solution to resolve the problem.

If your lights dim when your air conditioner kicks on, that’s normal. It is a result of a sudden change in voltage, not usually a cause for alarm.

On the other hand, if your lights flicker. You hear crackling or smell something burning, it’s time to worry. The first step is to turn off the breaker or breakers supplying electricity to the room. If smoke is present, you should call the fire department.

The next step is to call an electrician. Only a professional can find the cause of the problem. Somewhere there is a faulty wire.

A skilled do-it-yourselfer might not need to call an electrician to install a ceiling fan or light fixture. But if you want a professional looking job, I would suggest you call a professional.

Installation of ceiling fans or light fixtures requires cutting a hole in the drywall. Once the hole is cut, the wires have to be located. Electricians have the tools necessary to easily cut the holes and locate the wires.

You could buy the tools. But you have to ask yourself how many times you would use them. It’s probably not worth it.

There is no need to call an electrician if you want to replace outlet covers or light switch panels. It is a good idea to turn off the breaker, just in case your screwdriver slips.

If you feel confident that you can handle a job, go ahead and give it a try. Just be aware of safety precautions and be prepared to call an electrician in case you are unable to complete the job. If you are trying to save money, it could end up costing you more in the long-run to have an electrician come in and repair your mistakes.

If you are not familiar with electricians in your area, you can use the internet to find them and compare the services they offer. HomeImprovement411.ca is a good source for information concerning electrical contractors. You can also use the website to post the job you need done. You can get bids from electricians in your vicinity and save even more money.