SOLVED: What to Do When Your Outlets Aren’t Working
A faulty outlet is not only frustrating, but it also can present a serious safety hazard. If left ignored, this electrical issue may result in a house fire – not fun for anyone.
While this isn’t a project you should try to DIY, there are a few things you can do when your outlets are struggling. The best thing you can do when you’re having outlet issues is call in a professional electrician.
Our professionals at Axiom Power offer 5 simple steps to take when facing an outlet problem.
1. Safety First
Before doing any further investigation, safety should be your number one priority.
Turn off any lights and appliances in the surrounding area.
Check the devices for any issues or damage so you can rule out that as an issue.
Keep in mind there is a possibility that your outlet caused damage to your appliance if it is an electrical issue. You can try plugging these devices into reliable outlets to see if they work, but remember to proceed with caution.
2. Test Other Outlets
Next, figure out if the issue is isolated in one specific area or if the problem is spread to multiple outlets. If appliances work in surrounding outlets within the same room, the issue will likely present less of a challenge. However, if multiple outlets in the region are problematic, the solution to your outlet troubles may be a bit more complex.
Either way, it’s important you don’t try to fix the problem yourself. Call in a professional for a thorough and safe investigation.
3. Check Your Electrical Panel
An easy fix may present itself with a trip to the electrical panel. The room’s circuit breaker may have tripped from a current overload, which could be caused by a variety of circumstances such as:
Overloads
Short circuits
Ground fault surges
Sometimes, a circuit breaker tripping is no big deal, so you’ll simply need to switch the breaker back on.
However, if your breaker repeatedly trips, you smell anything burning, or you notice discoloration around your outlets, it’s definitely time to contact a professional! Don’t let this issue get out of hand, or you might seriously regret it.
4. Look for Loose or Burned-Out Outlets
Like all aspects of a home, your outlets will eventually fail. They will stop working effectively and can be hazardous. A loose outlet occurs when the outlet is attached to a distant electrical box within the wall. Over time, wires can become loose and they must be fixed as soon as possible to avoid sparks, fires, and electrical shocks. This not only presents a danger to your home but also to your family and any pets running around.
A burned-out outlet will likely appear physically burned or seem warm. This is another serious potential fire hazard. Don’t let it linger without asking for help!
5. Contact a Professional
Electrical problems shouldn’t be neglected, even if they seem like no big deal. Not to be dramatic, but getting help really could be the difference between life and death!
Regardless of how big or small the issue is, it’s crucial that you bring in an experienced expert to avoid putting yourself and your home in danger or making the electrical issue even more complicated. Electrical problems are often not as simple as they seem, and only a professional electrician will be able to properly diagnose your problem.
Knowledge is Power > All About Your Home’s Circuit Breaker
Take Care and Stay Safe with Axiom
When life is busy and you struggle to find time, it can be easy to overlook a fault outlet and push off fixing it, especially if it’s not entirely broken. Avoiding the problem isn’t the answer! This is when it’s time to call in a team of helpful professionals to help you do the job.
At Axiom Power, we don’t see problems. We just find solutions! Whether you need commercial or residential electrical assistance, call our team today for your free quote.
Call or text Greg at (813) 308-9328 for residential concerns or Jose at (727) 687-4452 for commercial problems.