Springtime in
Canada is the perfect time to buy a new home. With warmer, sunny
weather now here, available properties across Canada are looking
their best, and as a result, prospective homebuyers might be swept up
in the excitement of a busy real estate season. Truthfully,
purchasing a home, both new or old, shouldn’t be rushed without
first completing a professional home inspection. Carefully inspecting
the electrical infrastructure within your prospective dream home can
save you time and money. Failing to do so may turn your dream home
purchase into a nightmare.
An AmeriSpec
pre-purchase home inspection can spare homebuyers from costly
electrical repairs, along with the potential debt that comes with
them. Ensure that you get all the facts you need to make the right
purchase with an AmeriSpec professional home inspection.
Professional home inspections: Uncovering issues with a home’s electrical infrastructure
A professional home
inspection can help protect your family and ensure you are making the
most informed decision before you purchase a home. Issues with a
home's electrical infrastructure can potentially cause fires or
seriously injure the home’s inhabitants. Even more concerning, poor
electrical work could even void your home insurance should you fail
to address ongoing issues with your home’s electrical
infrastructure. A home inspection spots problematic electrical issues
that may be overlooked by homebuyers.
AmeriSpec’s
highly trained home inspectors will take a proper look at a home’s
interior and exterior electrical systems. This way, they can
determine if a home’s electrical panels, light switches and HVAC
systems are in good working order. They’ll check if they meet
current safety standards and that they don’t require any extensive
repairs.
Further, our home
inspectors will also consider whether the home has an appropriate
amount of outlets in each room. Additionally, they’ll examine light
fixtures and take a closer look at a home's circuit breaker box and
the wire gauge. Inspectors can also measure outlets with specialized
tools to ensure proper voltage and grounding throughout the home.
Additionally, home
inspectors can determine if the home has proper placement and
installation of both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The due
diligence of AmeriSpec home inspectors will verify that the home’s
entire electrical infrastructure is free from problems and is safe
for its new residents who might be considering purchasing the home.
Professional home inspections: Spotting common electrical faults
Common electrical
faults that our AmeriSpec home inspectors find include:
Reversed polarity
Found in the home’s
electrical infrastructure that could potentially cause damage to
devices or appliances.
DIY (Do-It-Yourself) wiring
DIY wiring of
outlets and switches completed by the previous homeowner.
Older and ungrounded outlets
Usually found in
older homes. These outlets have three-prongs, but are not grounded,
and could pose a safety hazard when three-pronged cords are plugged
in.
Worn or exposed wiring and splicing
Wiring and splicing
that isn't properly fitted in a covered junction box.
Circuit breakers with two wires
Breakers are
designed for one wire, and if they are double-tapped, this could
potentially cause fires.
Incorrect covers on outdoor outlets
These ‘wet
locations’ are vulnerable to weather. Outdoor outlets require
weather resistant receptacles that can prevent rain or snow from
harming the home's electrical infrastructure.
Professional home inspections: Spotting common electrical warning signs
There are many
warning signs that indicate potential problems with a home’s
electrical infrastructure. Some of the most common faulty electrical
warning signs include:
-
Light fixtures and
bulbs throughout the home that fade, dim, or flicker
-
Browning or
scorching around outlets caused by incorrectly installed wiring
-
Electrical
appliances or devices that vibrate or hum when plugged into an
outlet
-
Light switches or
outlets that feel warm to the touch or generate heat
-
Strange smells
throughout the home that might be similar to the scent of smoke
-
A small shock when
a resident touches a metal object within the home
-
Mice or other
rodent issues around the home that could lead to the degradation of
electrical wiring
Professional home inspections versus potential repair costs
The costs for
repairs to a home’s electrical infrastructure can vary greatly.
While some issues are simple fixes, others can cost homeowners tens
of thousands of dollars. Ignoring warning signs or faults may lead to
house fires, or worse, death. Ultimately, AmeriSpec home inspections
can catch these issues before they grow into much larger problems.
A Licenced
Electrical Contractor (LEC) should address electrical repairs. If an
electrician is unqualified, it could result in even further financial
burdens to the homeowner by way of costly repairs.
LECs will have a
valid ECRA/ESA Electrical Contractor Licence and will work within the
parameters of your province’s safety codes. Hiring an LEC means you
can rest easy knowing they are fully insured and are responsible for
arranging proper permits and inspections. Electricians are required
to regularly recertify their licences ensuring they are well-informed
on new technologies and safety codes. Failing to hire a certified
electrician could spell certain disaster for your home.
Professional home inspections by AmeriSpec
An AmeriSpec
pre-purchase home inspection covers electrical infrastructure and can
spare homebuyers costly electrical repairs along with the debt that
comes with them. Ensure the safety of you and your family, and make
an informed decision when buying your next home.
Don’t take any
chances when it comes to all things electrical in homes. Contact us
directly to learn more about pre-purchase home inspections from
AmeriSpec.