Why you should never attempt electrical repairs
It’s tempting to turn to the internet first when you have a problem around the home, especially in an age when online tutorials are available to teach you just about anything. It’s a great feeling to be able to admire your own work. With a tutorial available at your fingertips, it can’t be that difficult.
It is important to understand that attempting to do some DIY at home such as electrical repairs can be dangerous to not only your home but also to your health.
The minor risk is the incorrect repair, which will leave you without electricity. You’ll then have to pay for an electrician to fix your mistake. What’s worse, is that one mistake could lead to a non-compliance of major proportions. It can also result in an electrical shock or fire.
There’s a common myth that the voltage in household wires can’t kill. This is incorrect. If there is a problem in the line that runs from your transformer to your house, then it could be carrying much more power. It’s more than enough to kill!
Electrical fires are often caused by faulty and old wires. In 2013, there were 39,00 house fires across the UK. The main cause of accidental house fires was the misuse of electrical appliances and equipment. For an Electrician Cheltenham, Visit Blu Fish.
It’s one thing for some people to be able to change a simple light bulb or fuse, but it’s another to try to fix complex wiring problems or do any other major electrical work in the home without the expertise and knowledge of a professional.
You can also perform regular checks on your appliances in order to prevent accidents from occurring much earlier.
- Regularly check the RCD button (residual current device) on the consumer unit.
- Make sure that the plugs of all electrical appliances on your property are fitted with the correct rated fuse.
- It is strongly recommended to replace damaged cables and flexes immediately.
- Check plugs regularly for burn marks and strange sounds, such as buzzing.
When in doubt, it’s best to leave it to professionals. Electricity repairs should be handled with extreme caution. A good electrical service company is fully equipped with all the necessary tools and has spent years learning to identify faults. A qualified electrical installer will know what a good repair looks like. They’ll also be fully trained in health and safety and have protective gear to ensure the job is done safely.