GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupters. This specific type of outlet can help prevent most electrocutions, and are even required in homes near sinks such as those in the kitchen or bathroom. GFCI outlets measure the current flowing out of the outlet and back. If the values vary, even slightly, the outlet with shut down any transfer of electricity. This has saved thousands of lives over the last 40 years. It’s very easy and quick to have an electrician go through your home and replace standard outlets with life-saving GFCI outlets.

If you’ve ever had children, you know how important outlet covers are in the home. While they may not be necessary all the time in a home with only adults, there are many other reasons besides children that these covers come in handy. Outlet covers are simply pieces of plastic that fit into outlets to protect anything from making contact with the available electric current. These covers protect children from putting their fingers in outlets, dogs and cats from licking them, and help prevent the rare accident as well. Pick some up at your local hardware store.

If you’ve ever opened up a light switch panel, you’ve probably seen simple situations that have three wires. One wire is the hot wire which carries electricity to the outlet. The other hot wire is only hot when the switch is activated and carries the electricity to a light or appliance. The third wire is the ground wire. More often than not, especially in older houses, this third ground wire may not be attached to anything. It’s important to make sure this ground wire is properly installed to the switch to avoid things shorting out or electrical fires.

Perhaps your house was originally built without air conditioning or you have added a full laundry room onto your home that wasn’t there when the house was built. If that’s the case, you may have outgrown your home’s electrical panel without realizing it. Adding high energy use appliances can easy place an extra toll on your electrical panel. The best way to know this is if your lights flicker when you start an appliance or you have a breaker regularly flip. It’s time to call an electrician if you think this may be the case.

There are some home repairs you don’t want to tackle. Here are several red flags to look for when you’re buying a home.

common plumbing problems. Water damage is the homeowner’s mortal enemy. Water causes foundation problems, rot and mold. Want to move into that mess? Probably not.

To see if your potential purchase has suffered the consequences of water damage, start outside and

When you see water damage near an electrical outlet or a light fixture, you may have stumbled onto a fire risk. But outlets aren’t the only place to look for potential electrical problems.

Look for flickering and blinking, which signals a poor connection somewhere along the circuit. Check to see if both halves of electrical outlets are functioning. Make sure bathrooms, kitchens, garages and outdoors have professional electrician should determine whether the home’s circuits or fuses provide adequate power and service. The electrician can look for burned wiring, improper connections, dead-end wiring or ungrounded switches and outlets.

Your home inspector is a font of knowledge! Have the inspector check the air quality of the home to see if any mold spores are present — if water leakage or other common plumbing problems have been an issue, mold may be, too.

The inspector can ensure that the heating and cooling systems are properly installed. The inspector can also determine how old the HVAC system is and ensure that its been maintained

Your inspector will also determine the type of pipe that supplies water to the house—old lead and galvanized steel pipes are going to need replacing.

If the house you’re considering fails these tests, it may be best to move onto the next. If you still think it’s the right house for you, despite the presence of common plumbing problems or the need for an electrical overhaul, negotiate a lower price or ask the seller to pay for needed fixes.

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