Electrical Safety Checklist For Upper Darby Homeowners

With most of Upper Darby's houses built before 1950, many homes here have wiring, panels and outlets that have been changed by several owners over several decades. A ten-minute walk through the house once a year catches most of the warning signs early, before they turn into a burning smell or a dead circuit. Here is what to check, what needs an electrician, and what to look at before you buy or sell. Our team is committed to keeping Upper Darby homes safe. Questions? Call (610) 624-6861.

The ten-minute walk-through

1. Test every GFCI outlet with its test button, then reset it.
2. Touch outlet and switch covers; none should feel warm.
3. Look for scorch marks or discolouration on outlets and cords.
4. Count extension cords and power strips; any used permanently means you need more outlets.
5. Check that cords are not run under rugs or pinched by furniture.
6. Make sure bulbs match the wattage marked on each fixture.
7. Open the panel door: breakers should be labelled, with no rust, water marks or burning smell.
8. Test each smoke alarm, and replace any alarm more than ten years old.
9. Check that outdoor outlets have weatherproof covers.
10. Keep the area in front of the panel clear so you can reach it quickly.

When You Need An Electrician Near Me

Anything warm, buzzing, sparking or discoloured; outlets that no longer grip a plug; a panel with rust, water stains or scorch marks; knob-and-tube or cloth-covered wiring you can see in the basement; and any breaker or fuse that trips often. The US Fire Administration recommends smoke alarms inside and outside every sleeping area and on every level, ideally interconnected so that when one sounds they all sound; adding hardwired, interconnected alarms is electrician work. In Upper Darby Township, most electrical work beyond changing bulbs and fuses also needs a permit, and the permit is pulled by the electrician. For any of these, reach out to our team at (610) 624-6861.

Before you buy or sell

A home inspection will flag an old fuse box, knob-and-tube wiring, ungrounded three-prong outlets, missing GFCI protection and a service smaller than 100 amps. Many insurers will not cover a home with less than 100-amp service, and many will not insure knob-and-tube wiring without an electrician's certification, so these items can hold up a sale. If you are buying, have a licensed electrician look at anything flagged before you settle. If you are selling, fixing the obvious items first, with a permit and inspection, keeps them from holding up the sale.

Keep a record

Write down which breaker controls which room, the date of your last panel check, the age of each smoke alarm, and any permits pulled for electrical work. That record makes a future repair faster and helps when you sell. Tape the breaker list inside the panel door.

See also common electrical problems.