There is no apparent cause for the lights to be flickering in your historic home? Or perhaps you are fed up with the breaker tripping whenever the coffee maker and microwave are on at the same time. You may even have misgivings as to whether your family is as safe as they should be with the wiring in your walls.
You would not be alone in that. Homeowners from Savannah to the rest of the Coastal Empire put their trust in TNT Service Group (Thompson & Thompson) to see that their electrical systems are in good order. Should you have any questions, pick up the phone at (912) 549-1521.
People are drawn to live in Savannah for the charm of its many fine older homes. Yet an old home will often have an electrical system harking back to another era. We list some of the problems we come across most in these houses and what they mean below.
Outdated Wiring
Decades-old homes are still working with wiring that has not been put to the test of modern living. In those days one did not have to power a flat-screen TV, a window unit and charge a phone all in one go.
Some indications the wiring in your house has not kept pace:
- Knob-and-tube or cloth-insulated types in the attic or behind walls
- The breaker will not hold when you put several appliances to work
- Outlets and switch plates that are discolored or warm to the touch
- An odour of burning about the panel or an outlet
- Dimming of the lights upon starting up a large appliance
- Nothing but two-prong outlets in the house
It is more than a nuisance, it can be a fire hazard. A licensed electrician should be called in if you see any of this.
A Lack of Grounding and GFCIs
If you see two-prong outlets, which are not uncommon in an older Savannah property, the system is not properly grounded. That is there to safeguard you and your electronics in the event of trouble. Then there are GFCI outlets with their reset and test buttons; without them areas around water are left unprotected, something you will find in many of these homes.
We would want to see GFCI protection in:
- Any outdoor outlet
- Kitchens by the sink and counter
- Bathrooms and laundry rooms
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Garages or workshops
For an older home to meet the safety standards of today, putting in grounded outlets and GFCIs is an economical way to do it.
When the Panel is Overloaded
Your home’s electrical panel is the centre of its power. In some cases the rating is well below what is required now, and there are some panel brands out there that are no longer deemed safe. If the panel is warm or trips with any regularity, or you have extension cords and power strips off every outlet, the house is telling you it wants more capacity. An upgrade is the answer.
Extension Cords Galore
One outlet to a room was thought to be enough when these homes were put up. Now families are using power strips in every corner. Make no mistake, over time that puts a strain on circuits and is a hazard. Put in new outlets where they are called for and you will have a neater home and less stress on the wiring.
Aluminum Wiring
Copper was not used in some homes of a certain vintage, aluminum was. The connections can get loose and generate unwanted heat as the years go by. Have a pro look at the connections and put in the right fix if you think you have aluminum.
The Case for a Professional
One does not guess at electrical matters. An electrician with the proper license and insurance will put his eye to what is inside the panel and behind the wall and make sure it does not become a danger. As the top rated team in Savannah and a five-star operation, TNT Service Group is both licensed and insured. We are forthright with our pricing and give you a free estimate so there are no surprises. And financing can be arranged. We are available 24/7.
Do not let a minor matter get out of hand in your Savannah home. For the peace of mind of you and your family, contact us at (912) 549-1521 and our people at TNT Service Group will be happy to assist.
