When people shop for a home, the first judgement they make is based on what their eyes can see: the color of the wall paint, the size of the rooms and the layout of the structure. It’s easy to fall in love with a home very quickly, but making a fast decision can lead to unforeseen defects that will put a hole in your pocket. Although the process for purchasing a residence can be tedious, certain aspects shouldn’t be overlooked – like the electrical wiring of the building.
Let’s face it, even though a real estate agent will have the dwelling inspected prior to showing the property, they aren’t always truthful about every aspect of the home because they want to make a good sale. That’s when you need to hire a qualified electrical inspection company in Montgomery County, PA accredited by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, such as us at A-1 Electric. In fact, we are the most recommended company by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for electrical inspection and we are listed first on the Certified Third Party Agency Listing on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry website.
At first glance, a house can appear to be in good condition. That’s why it is important to pay attention to what’s inside the walls. Old dwellings tend to have outdated or incorrect electrical wiring systems that need work done. By hiring an experienced electrical inspector to pinpoint faults of the home ahead of time, you can dodge the possibility of buying a home that is not safe, nor affordable. However, along with the electrical inspection, there are a couple warning signs you can look out for on your own during the showing. When you are given a tour of a house on the market, be aware of these electrical components:
The Electrical Panel – Locate the electrical panel and open it up. Does it have incorrect or no labeling? Are there any loose or disconnected wires popping out? If so, these factors signal a red flag. Don’t hesitate to ask the real estate agent or current homeowners about the condition of the panel.
The Outlets – The places that are most likely to contain faulty outlets are the kitchen, bathroom, garage, basement and outside exterior because they are more susceptible to getting wet or damp. Take a look at all of the electrical receptacles and check if they are cracked, are missing a ground or are lacking in plug tension. You can even bring in something small like a cell phone charger during the tour to t
est the outlets and see if they work properly.
Wires – All wires should lead to something, so if they don’t, they could most likely pose a problem. It may be difficult for you to determine if the wiring is installed correctly, so it may be beneficial to consider hiring an electrical contractor to inspect it. Take note of any strange smells of burning or acid – it could be coming from the wiring.
Circuits – There are a couple tactics you can use to check if the circuits are fully functional. One method is by testing the light sockets to see if they turn on and off. If the light doesn’t turn on, then there may be a problem with the circuit. If you notice that the lights make a buzzing noise, flicker or dim, it is possible that the circuit has underlying issues.
Fortunately, if you find any electrical elements you’d prefer to have checked, the home can be examined by one of our electrical inspectors according to your list of requests to obtain a Letter of Certification (L.O.C.). The L.O.C. is actually required by the AHJ before the sale can go through and can also be performed if the electrical problems were concealed at closing, in which the failed inspection can be used as evidence to seek legal action.
Buying a new home can spark an influx of emotions – but it shouldn’t do that literally! By having the electrical system examined by a professional and being aware of these components, you can make the best decision on whether the house is right for you. Also, don’t hesitate to ask about the history of the building – chances are, the information will include if the electrical system was ever replaced or repaired.
