Your home’s electrical system is the network of power that enables your family to enjoy fully modern life, filled with all the technologies that help improve daily life. On the other hand, an electrical system that is not functioning as designed in some way may be a profound danger to everyone and everything you care about. Therefore, keeping your residential electrical systems working safely and without interruption must be a top priority for every homeowner. So, use this quick electrical preventive maintenance checklist frequently:
Electrical Outlets
Problems with electrical outlets cause numerous house fires every year in the United States. Old, worn, outdated plugins should be replaced with modern three-pronged grounded outlets or units with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). Those are designed to shut down electricity to the bad electrical outlet instantly when a ground fault is detected. If you find any of these symptoms, you should shut down the breaker for the circuit powering the outlet and have the outlet replaced by a licensed electrician:
- Outlet is loose
- Outlet cover has burn marks
- Outlet cover discolored
- An odor of burning
- A buzzing noise from the outlet
Electrical Panel
The breaker panel receives all the electricity entering your house and distributes it to the circuits going to each room and exterior lighting and outlets. The panel is typically located in the basement, utility room, garage, hallway, or kitchen. The electrical panel box contains circuit breakers mounted on the panel that trip in order to shut down power in cases of circuit overloading.
Breakers can become worn over time, and issues can occur with the panel itself. Panels with fuses are outdated. Those should be replaced promptly. Call your licensed electrician to perform a thorough inspection with a more in-depth electrical panel preventive maintenance checklist.
Major Appliances
Keeping the exhaust vent hood over your stovetop and the duct for the oven clean helps maintain the needed ventilation for that appliance. GFCI outlets should be installed for all countertop appliances. Outlets near water lines, faucets, fish tanks, etc., should be replaced with GFCI units too. If you feel an electrical current running through one of your appliances or get shocked when you touch it, turn it off, shut down the power from the breaker panel to the bad electrical outlet that supplies the appliance, and call a licensed electrician for service.
Surge Protectors
Electrical surges can cause extensive damage to electronics, appliances, and home electrical system components. Of course, a backup generator will supply power for a home during outages from storms and utility line issues. However, at the time the electricity is disrupted, power surges are a serious risk. Surge protectors provide important protections from potential damage or destruction of residential systems. Whole house surge protection can protect your entire home from electrical surges that threaten components throughout your home.
HVAC Vents
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning vents should be inspected routinely for obstructions, accumulated dust, dirt, pollen, insects, and other household debris and contaminants. The vents need to be cleaned, and the HVAC system filters should be replaced as needed. Disposable filters must be replaced periodically, and reusable ones need to be cleaned.
Outdoor Lighting
Include in your home preventive maintenance checklist an inspection of all outdoor outlets and lighting fixtures for wear and damage. Make sure all outlets have protective covers. Have any weather damage to light fixtures repaired, and replace fixtures as needed. Also, inspect electrical equipment and tools for lawn maintenance, landscape care, etc. Check for tree branches that are too near electrical wires and call your utility company, or municipal road maintenance department, or other responsible organization for tree trimming or other necessary action.
Smoke Detectors
Why not also check your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms as a part of your periodic home preventive maintenance checklist? That’s a convenient way to ensure that all the necessary systems and electrical and/or battery-powered devices are routinely inspected. Test all batteries in smoke detectors monthly. To check the battery, press the test button to hear a beep, or follow the manufacturer’s instructions for other methods. Replace carbon monoxide detectors at least every five years.
When To Do Home Electrical Maintenance Inspections?
Set a regular schedule for routine electrical maintenance inspections. You may want to do your inspections annually or semi-annually, perhaps every spring or every spring and fall. Keep the above general electrical preventive maintenance checklist handy so you can complete your periodic inspections as quickly and conveniently as possible.
Contact DK Electrical Service Experts
When it’s time for a professional home electrical maintenance check, a DK master electrician can provide the most experienced and thorough electrical inspection service. All our pricing is upfront and transparent. There are never billing surprises.
For professional electrical maintenance inspections, repairs, or replacements, call DK Electrical Solutions Inc at (609) 796-4177 or contact us online to schedule service.
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