The electrical system in a home is incredibly complex, and it can fall prey to a number of different repair needs. Although it’s tempting to try to fix what may seem like “little” electric problems using a few tools like a pair of pliers and electricians’ tape, you should avoid this “do-it-yourself” temptation at all costs. The power coursing through the circuits in your home could cause high voltage shocks and or lead to electrical fires. Only entrust the repair work to licensed electricians from a reliable contractor.

Pay close attention to any signs in your house that there are electrical repair needs: flickering lights, power surges, sparking light switches, acrid burning smells, etc. Turn off the power and immediately call for licensed electricians; you never want to risk injury or a fire.

Most electrical problems in your house will more often than not require an electrician to fix them, but sometimes, if you have some time on your hands and the right tools, there are certain things you may want to tackle yourself. In this post, we will look at replacing a junction box and fixing backstabbed wires.

Replacing a Junction Box Cover

Your existing junction box should already meet the required National Electrical codes of standards, but if you happen to find one in your home that is missing a cover, it is best to have it replaced immediately. Because the splices where wires are connected together are housed in a junction box, they could end up being inadvertently damaged and become a fire or shock hazard. If this has already happened, you may want to ask a qualified electrician for help.

Fixing this is as simple as using the original cover and some screws, or if it is lost or damaged, buying a new one for a few cents at your local hardware store and installing it with the accompanying screws.

Backstabbed Wires

Backstabbed wires occur when wires in newer switches and receptacles are pushed into the back. These are more likely to come loose than those that are held in place by screws. A wire that comes loose will most likely cause the terminal to stop working, but in some cases, it may even cause an electrical fire.

Carry out a check to see whether there are any switches with backstabbed wires. If you find any, release the wires and then attach them to the appropriate screw terminals on the switch. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, your electrician should be able fix this for you pretty quickly.