Electricity might be your home's most important energy source. All homes have electrical wiring to power outlets, so electrical appliances and other equipment work efficiently. Electrical wiring can deteriorate over time and may increase the potential for starting an electrical fire, in our experience. Fortunately, electrical contractors can diagnose electrical problems and fix them, including replacing faulty wiring. Whether your home is old or new, here are some common signs to watch for that indicate your home needs new electrical wiring.

Circuit Breaker Continues to Trip

Homes use a lot of electricity, which can cause some circuits to overload. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. homeowners use an average of 889 kilowatt-hours of electricity every month and 10,791 annually. If you have particular circuit breakers that repeatedly trip, the circuit is too weak to handle your electricity use and needs new wiring.

Lights Randomly Dim Briefly at Times

Your electrical service should consistently deliver power to all of your home's electrical items. If you observe frequent flickering or dimming of your lights, it indicates an electrical issue that our experienced electrical contractors can diagnose and resolve. Flickering lights can be more than an annoyance; they may also indicate your home has a wiring short that could cause a fire, according to RISMedia.

Electrical Outlets Are Discolored

You might notice scorching or discoloration affecting one or more electrical outlets. Brown or black spots are signs that indicate a problem with a particular outlet, such as a short or faulty wiring, according to Family Handyman. A defective connection or faulty wiring could cause sparks or high heat that burn the outlet and create a fire hazard. It could also pose an electrical shock hazard, making the outlet dangerous.

Something Smells Like It's Burning

You might notice a smell like burning rubber or plastic inside your home, but it isn't coming from your kitchen. In our experience, this odor likely originates from defective electrical wiring that could be burning away the insulation of the wires. The more exposed an electrical wire becomes, the greater the potential for causing a fire inside your home, necessitating the assistance of your local electrical contractors. Regardless of how new or old your home is, several factors can expose wiring, including rodents that chew on them.

If your home's electrical wiring is acting up, you can call or visit our team at Blackstock Electric to learn how we can help you and schedule service for your home. We have more than 20 years of experience and are fully licensed and insured. We look forward to hearing from you.