Electrical Outlet Repair | Hunt's Services

Generally speaking, you’ll have to replace your electrical outlets every 15 to 20 years. This timeline is about how long they take to start showing signs of wear and tear, although it depends on how often they have been used and the frequency with which you plug and unplug your devices. A receptacle that is utilized for a cell phone charger, for example, might wear down more rapidly than one where the television is plugged in, solely because of the frequency of use.

Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook the outlets around the home and take their functionality for granted. When this occurs, you might not realize there is a problem with your receptacles until it is too late and you have an electrical fire at your home.

Give Hunt’s Services a call at 253-533-7500 if your outlets are old or worn and we’ll send a licensed electrician over to have a look. From there, we will determine if some or all of your outlets are due for a replacement or if any other electrical service is needed. It is recommended that you have your outlets replaced promptly if there is a problem because it sure beats the alternative.

Keep an eye out for the following signs that something is wrong with the outlets around your home and if you notice anything, call us for electrical services in Tacoma, Washington, and its surrounding area.

Ungrounded Outlets

Have a look around your home for two-pronged outlets. If all of your electric outlets are two-pronged, it is very likely that your home isn’t grounded, which is extremely dangerous. An ungrounded house usually comes about when an amateur electrician did the wiring in the home when it was first built. If you have an older home, this is always a worry.

If some of your outlets are two-pronged and some are three-pronged, the home might be grounded, but there is a chance that the same amateur electrician installed some three-pronged outlets in several locations without correctly grounding the house. The smart thing to do if you notice any two-pronged outlets in your home is to have Hunt’s Services have a look at it to determine if a significant rewiring job is necessary or if you just require some new outlets installed.

Our electricians can test whether or not your home is grounded, determining if it is safe for you to continue using the electricity. Two-pronged outlets are dangerous to both you and your appliances, so you’ll want to have the problem fixed as quickly as possible if you find yourself in this situation.

What we’ll have to do if your home isn’t grounded is go around and install GFCI outlets throughout the house. GFCI receptacles protect you from shock my keeping tabs on the currents running through your home and shutting off if something isn’t right. They are frequently found near water sources when an electrical shock is a real concern. Having one of our electricians install these outlets around your home can protect you from electrocution, but it still doesn’t completely protect your appliances against electrical surges.

Broken Outlets

Another reason to replace your electrical outlets is if you find they are broken, cracked or discolored. A cracked or broken outlet is a definite cause for concern because it can lead to loose wiring inside the receptacle. When this occurs, anyone using the outlet is at risk for a shock.

When the outlet is discolored, it might mean that your connections are overheating. Electricity naturally produces heat, but it is contained by the wires and used safely. When the heat starts escaping the wiring and its covers, it is a hazard to your home because if it gets too hot, it could lead to a fire. Make sure you have any discoloration inspected by a licensed electrical contractor right away to avoid potential problems in the future.

While this isn’t a major installation project, it is still electrical work that you’ll want to have dealt with sooner, rather than later.

You Have Older Outlets

Look at your outlets to see if they are temper resistance. Older outlets won’t be, and this is a problem, especially if you have young children. Today, all new homes must be built with NEC-compliant outlets, as these outlets prevent anything other than a plug from entering them.

For example, old-style outlets have an open slot that is easy for a child to access. If a child sticks a paper clip or other piece of metal into the slot, it could lead to serious injury. Tamper-resistance outlets don’t allow anything in, as there are doors on the outside that won’t open unless there is equal pressure on both sides. Therefore, your child would need to put in a lot of work to get them open, at which time you could intervene.

Things Won’t Stay Plugged In

Have you noticed that things won’t stay plugged into your wall? Maybe you’ve tried to charge your iPod, only to come back an hour later to see that the plug is halfway out of the outlet. There is a good reason for this occurring, as it means the spring on the inside of the outlet is loose and, therefore, isn’t providing you with an adequate connection.

This loose connection is more than just an inconvenience, however, as loose connections can lead to arching inside the outlet and, therefore, a fire. If you notice that your devices aren’t staying plugged in and the connection feels loose, have one of our licensed electricians have a look at it right away to fix the problem. From there, we can replace the worn outlet and have you up and running in no time at all.

Call Hunt’s Today!

It’s never a good idea to put off the repair or replacement of electrical components inside your home because a great deal of damage could be done as a result. Have a look around your house for signs of broken or worn electrical outlets because if one is overheating or there is some loose wiring, it could do a lot of damage.

Call Hunt’s Services at 253-533-7500 if you notice anything wrong with your outlets, electrical panel, or any other component and one of our licensed, certified electricians will come by to have a look. From there, we will come up with the best plan of action to keep you and your home safe. We also install USB outlets.

Electrical Outlet Repair and Replacement

Ungrounded Outlets

Broken Outlets

You Have Older Outlets

Things Won’t Stay Plugged In

Call Hunt’s Today!