While it’s true that there are many different ways that electrical issues affect your home and belongings, there are four basic electrical problems that DC homeowners face on a regular basis. Each of these electrical problems must be addressed in a timely manner—otherwise a dangerous situation may occur, including electrical fire and shock. Fortunately, most of these are very easy to address, diagnose, and correct, as long as they are looked into quickly by a DC Electrician.

Homeowners throughout the DC area should immediately contact us if they observe any of these common electrical problems:

Whenever there is a sudden increase or change in electrical current, it is referred to as a power surge. This can force circuits to overload, leading to lost power and additional damage. There isn’t much you can really do—your best bet is to prevent a surge from happening by using surge protection strips and having a DC electrician install a whole-house surge suppression system. Whole-house surge protection is the best first line of protection you can have to protect your home electronics and wiring from the damage caused by lightning strikes. The cost of replacing electronic equipment in an average home is $8,000, and it may be even higher for homes in DC. Whole-house surge protection in conjunction with power strip surge protection is affordable insurance against electrical surges caused by lightning strikes and other disruptions. Contact Kolb Electric for whole-house surge protection installation in DC.

If you plug too many items into a single unit, it can cause the circuit to become overloaded. While you may be tempted to use more power strips to plug in more items, this can actually cause dangerous overloading and overheating. Whenever your circuit breaker trips frequently, you should let a qualified electrician take a look.

Whenever DC homeowners try to run their own electrical wiring, it often results in what is known as redundant wiring. Homeowners should not attempt any do-it-yourself home wiring—it is very dangerous because the wiring may not be properly capped and terminated.

Whenever you have issues with intermittent power, it usually is a warning sign that serious wiring issues are present. This is often caused by loose or improperly fastened wiring, which requires the immediate attention of an expert electrician.

These are common electrical problems DC electricians are often called in to correct. If you observe any of these problems in your home, we recommend you contact us. We are a family owned and operated business that has been serving the DC area since 1925. You can count on our electricians to provide upfront pricing and high-quality service.

Most of us have batteries stored in a drawer or cabinet somewhere in our home. They are used for a number of different applications including clocks, remote controls, and toys. Batteries do create electrical current, so while these small devices can appear harmless, improper use can lead to dangerous results. Make sure you are conducting battery use in a safe and proper manner.

Ensure batteries and contacts are clean – Before using a battery, make sure that the battery is clean and the connections of the device are also clean. Any dirt or grease can cause the battery to not connect properly to the device or allow a path for the current to leave the device. If corrosion appears to be building on either the battery or the device it should be cleaned or disposed of properly. You can use a cloth to wipe away any debris or build up on the battery and device connector. 

Dispose of batteries correctly – Batteries are filled with hazardous acid. Once a battery is used up it does not mean that it is safe to throw into the garbage can. Batteries can still leak and cause hazardous chemicals to spread. Batteries should be recycled at locations that accept them, such as Staples and Best Buy. They will ensure that batteries are sent to the right place for recycling. 

Avoid damaging or using damaged batteries – Again, batteries do contain hazardous chemicals inside. It the battery is punctured, crushed, or heated the acid can leak or explode. If this acid comes into contact with your skin or eyes, it can pose serious health risks. Keep children from handling batteries in the event that they misuse the battery. If you find a damaged battery, avoid using it in any household device. Wrap the battery up and bring it to a recycling station. 

Match the polarity correctly – While many of us check to make sure that the positive (+) and negative (-) symbols are connecting correctly in the device, it can be overlooked at times. If you put a battery backwards in a device it may still function but there could be venting or leaking. The polarity indicators are there to let you know how the battery should be used. Ignoring these prompts can lead to damaging the battery and the serious hazards discussed earlier.

Batteries are a wonderful invention that allows us to generate small amounts of electricity for mobile devices, but mishandling them can be dangerous for our health. If you have questions about electrical devices or use in your home, contact your local Expert Electric to get the assistance of a licenced electrician.