Check The Electrical Fittings
Most people are of the opinion that their job of looking for, and buying a home, ends with settling the price. In fact, this is when the actual work starts. To ensure whether you are investing in the right kind of property, you need to inspect the home you are considering. This is best done through the services of a competent and professional home inspector, who gives you a detailed written report about the condition of the house, and the expected cost of repairs. Among the many things that require to be inspected, there is a need to check the electrical fittings, as well.
It is imperative that all the electrical fittings and the electrical systems be inspected, as there are a number of fatalities in the United States each year, due to defective electrical fittings and wirings. On top of this, the defective electrical fittings are a fire hazard too.
Electrical Home Inspections
The electrical home inspections carried out by a competent home inspector would include the following:
· Checking of all electrical outlets for loose fitting plugs.
· Checking of all extension cords to see that they are not frayed.
· Checking to see that these outlets, extension cords, fuse boxes, and other power sources are not overloaded.
· Checking that the surge/overload protectors are functioning properly.
· Checking that the light bulbs in all the fixtures are of the correct wattage as recommended by the manufacturer. A bulb of a very high wattage in a fixture not recommended for it could be a fire hazards due to overheating.
· Checking that the thermostats in certain electrical fittings are working properly.
· Checking to see that the electrical outlet near the sink in the bathroom, kitchen, garage and exterior outlets is the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet. The GFCI outlet is quite sensitive to variations in the electrical flow and shuts of power as soon as it detects the variation.
· Checking to see that all the electrical outlets in the exterior of the house have waterproof covers.
· Checking to see that all the fuses and breakers in the electrical panel are properly marked to identify the correct room and the service area.
· Checking to see if the electrical panel and all the fittings are properly earthed. This is done through a copper wire from the panel, clamped to the water pipe, or a copper ground rod.
· Checking to see if the lights dim when operating any electrical appliances. This is a sign of an overload circuit.
When home inspection of electrical fittings is going on, leave a few switches and outlets on for sometime. If they are overly warm, or hot to the touch, it is an indication that the wiring is faulty and so, unsafe.
As faulty electrical fittings are a fire hazard, the inspector needs to check whether smoke detectors are installed. If they are, there is a need to see whether they are effectively working, and that the batteries and power supply are in working condition.
|