Why Regular Electrical Inspections Are Essential for Wollongong Homes
When was the last time your house lost power? During a storm? During outside maintenance work on the grid? Maybe it was even rodent damage that chewed through the wires and cut the energy to your circuits.
Whatever the cause, the sudden lack of something we take for granted every day can force us to quickly re-evaluate just how much we rely on electricity.
It's a fact of the modern world that very few of us can live without electricity for long, but how often do we take the right steps towards securing this convenience and making sure our own electrical infrastructure is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible?
An electrical inspection is one such way you can protect the flow of power to your house. Faults prevention, risk assessment, efficiency and performance testing, the long-term cost of an electrical inspection is more than worth its initial investment.
Why Electrical Inspections Matter
An electrical inspection assesses the overall health of your electrical systems. Every part of the house needs maintenance to fight back against the structure's inevitable aging and deterioration. Your electrical system is no different, but generally, most of it is hidden behind plasterboard and ceilings, meaning its condition and any potential problems remain hidden from us in daily life.
This can create issues of reliability and, more importantly, safety. Faulty or degraded wiring can cause house fires as well as damage to appliances or injuries to ourselves or family members through electric shock. A lack of reliable power can also impact outlets, switches, and other devices and equipment that we rely on every day.
This is particularly true in our local area of Wollongong. With an abundance of older homes and proximity to salt air with our enviable coastal climate, we need to take extra steps to ensure the protection of our family home or business.
The Risks of Outdated or Faulty Electrical Systems
Wollongong is chock-full of history. From terrace houses from the 1880s to original weatherboard homes from the early 1900s, we are blessed to live in this time capsule of early Australian architectural style. However, that comes with a cost, as old systems start to need upgrades and the demands of modern life place greater pressure on the circuits than was needed 100 years ago.
Electrical standards are being updated all the time, with the latest edition of mandatory wiring rules coming into effect from the beginning of 2019. Everything breaks down over time and the modern electrical installations of today are far more efficient than those even a few decades ago. Over time, these systems experience wear and tear, especially if older systems face periods of overload that their infrastructure is not equipped to handle. The potential hazards of components breaking down, repairs being delayed, or connections splitting include fire and electrical shocks, both problems that can have deadly outcomes.
Unfortunately, while the odds seem slim, these disasters do happen, and they do happen here. Only a few years ago, in 2017, a Dapto house was completely destroyed by fire from an electrical fault.
How Often Should You Schedule an Electrical Inspection?
Now that we've seen the risk of a deteriorating electrical installation, you might be wondering, "how often should I get one of these electrical safety inspections?" The good news is that modern wiring and circuits are incredibly hardy, and built to handle the demands of modern living, so we recommend an inspection once every 3–5 years to be on the safe side.
However, if you have an older home or your house has undergone renovations, you may want a more regular inspection to ensure the integrity and security of your systems. In addition, businesses or buildings operating services that require greater electrical demand should also book more regular inspections as the wear and tear on these properties will be quicker and more pronounced than residential dwellings.
What Happens During an Electrical Inspection?
Your local electrician will test a few different areas of your system and circuits during an inspection:
1. Testing if the safety switch operates correctly. This backup switch immediately cuts the power when it detects an electrical fault and can save you and your appliances from harm.
2. Checking electrical insulation. This plastic coating protects the wires from damage and outside interference. However, over time, this coating can degrade, so we'll find and advise a replacement for any damaged wires we see.
3. Check power point function and capacity. Different circuits can handle different capacities, so we'll test your outlets to make sure they're operating at the right levels.
4. Check for corrosion. Particularly in locations next to the ocean, like Wollongong, salt spray in the air can find its way into electrical workings and start damaging metal components. We'll look out for and record any damage we find.
5. Assessing old or outdated wiring. Especially true in some older Wollongong homes, it might be time to start upgrading some older circuitry that may fail within the next few years. We'll pre-empt any problems we find and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice.
Finally, we'll deliver an inspection report for your records that includes our recommendations to improve your system and keep it operating safely and efficiently.
The Benefits of Regular Electrical Inspections
Among the benefits of regular inspections is that together we can ensure your household's safety by preventing (and pre-empting) electrical hazards. Another lesser-known benefit is how a regular inspection can protect you should anything go wrong. By law, electricians must submit a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work within seven days of completing an electrical inspection or compliance check, which logs what kind of work has been done and when.
This record can also assist you with any insurance requirements. If you need to make a claim, you can show your provider the record of electrical inspections, ensuring that you were diligent in maintaining your home and that all work was correctly done by a certified contractor. This peace of mind is worth investing in for homeowners and property managers.
The long-term benefits of preventative maintenance are a complete lack of emergencies or crises, and knowing exactly what your home or building needs before it needs it. What's better than that?
How to Choose the Right Electrician in Wollongong
Finding the right electrician for the job can be a tricky exercise if you don't know what to look for. First and most importantly, make sure they're qualified and licensed. This information should be made easily available on their website, but if you can't find it anywhere, it's best to look at another choice. Once you've found a licensed electrician, give them a call and explain what you need, as different contractors specialise in different things. Finally, ask for a detailed quote to see the work process and the final number. As always, don't be afraid to ask questions. The kind of electrician you want to work with won't be afraid to answer them.
Consider also choosing a local electrician who is familiar with the types of homes and systems that are predominant in your area. Electricians who have in-depth knowledge of your local area will be able to anticipate problems and navigate regulations with ease.
Book Your Electrical Inspection Today
So, next time you're booking in for an electrical inspection (remember, every 3–5 years is ideal), call up the team at Easther Electrical. We're locals like you, based in Oak Flats, so we know the importance of local experience in Wollongong and how our local conditions can affect the electrical health of your home or business.
Our residential services extend far beyond electrical inspections, and we offer a free quote on all of our work, so don't hesitate to get in contact with your local Wollongong electrician for all your electrical service needs.