Most people don’t know what to expect when they encounter an electrical inspection that is securely completed by a professional electrician. Electrical safety is one of the most important aspects of home ownership, and a home with faulty wiring is much more likely to experience a fire.
Find out what to expect when you experience an electrical inspection at your home.
1. Safety Inspection
The first inspection is a safety inspection, which will take one to two hours. During the inspection, the inspector will check every part of your home with an electrical component. The inspector will check for any loose wiring or improper outlets. The inspector will also look for wiring that is not up to code and replace it with safer wire. Lastly, the inspector checks the voltage and grounding.
2. Electrical Service
The electrical service inspection takes roughly two to three hours. During the inspection, the inspector will look at all the pipes, wires, and equipment inside your home. The inspector will check for any problems that could cause a fire. During this inspection, the inspector will check to make sure all parts of your home are wired correctly. Most electrical service problems are not reported by the consumer because there have been no problems in their home for many years, so most people only know about it once it starts causing problems. The electrical service problem often goes unnoticed until the service goes out because the consumer will not know there is a problem unless they experience an electrical fire.
3. Electrical Testing
The third and final inspection is an electrical testing inspection. Most electrical problems are not found until a review has been performed, so it would be a waste of time to perform a third inspection on these problems. Also, the third inspection would not be of the house but of the wiring. Although other assessments will be performed to find problems with your home, you may save money by having one inspection on the electrical components.
4. Electrical Compliance Inspections
After an electrical failure (e.g., your smoke alarm has gone off), it is wise to have another inspection performed, just as one should do if a gas appliance fails to operate properly. The last electrical inspection should be of the house, not the home’s wiring.
5. Inspection Record Book
The electrical inspector will write down all of their findings and findings. At the end of the inspection, the inspector will sign their name and date it. The inspector may also attach a copy to their report at the end of a given investigation if the inspector has documented different findings from the original inspection.
6. Blown Fuses
Along with wiring problems, the physical wiring in houses can also be unsafe. A fuse is a small device designed to stop electrical flow in case of an overload. If a fuse blows, it is likely because of insufficient power within the circuit. If the cause of the blown fuse cannot be found, it might be best to call a licensed electrician to come and look at your electrical system to ensure that you are not overloading your actual wires or circuit breakers.
7. Grounding & Bonding
Grounding and bonding issues are common problems for homeowners. The problem is that, in all probability, the homeowner either needs to learn what is wrong or needs the funds to fix the problem. In most cases, electrical grounding and bonding problems are not very noticeable unless they reach an extreme point. If left uncorrected, these problems can cause fires and even electrocution of a homeowner.
8. Receptacles and Switches
Two items that are checked by inspectors in each home are switches and receptacles. These two items are checked because they are the first to be checked when purchasing a home. The inspector will prevent these items to ensure that they work correctly, that the wiring is not exposed, and that the screws holding the receptacle or switch in place have not been removed. If there is evidence of tampering, then it will be noted on the inspection report.
Conclusion
Home inspectors are used primarily to find defects in houses for potential buyers. While many inspectors and a professional electrician will provide their clients with a list of items that need to be replaced after an inspection, most need to detail what is wrong with the house. Inspectors will determine if a house is livable, but they do not guarantee to make the repairs necessary to make a house livable or even safe upon leaving the inspection site.
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