Can you do your own electrical wiring? Depends. Should you?
Often, the answer is no. In many townships in Pennsylvania it is illegal to do your own electrical work. Even if it is not, DIY electrical work causes more problems than it solves - often, a larger bill to get the problem you created fixed and in extreme cases a fire - and your insurance company may not pay out.
Thus, although there might be an exception when it comes to requiring licensed electricians to conduct this work, it is best for homeowners to avoid anything aside from the most basic projects. There are obviously costs associated with hiring a Philadelphia electrician, which is why it is vital to look for one who maintains feasible rates and who will not perform a lot of unnecessary tasks.
When should you call an electrician? The obvious reason is for non-functioning outlets or switches, but there are other signs your wiring system might need work. Dimming or flickering lights that aren't caused by old bulbs or tubes, odd smells, sparking from the fuse panel or hot outlets all indicate a significant problem. So can circuit breakers tripping frequently.
Another major sign is a marked rise in your electric bill that isn't in line with the amount of electricity that you're using - it usually means that there is a wiring issue or that you have out outdated appliance that must be replaced or repaired.
You additionally want to check and see if there are outlets that are GFC protected in the bathroom or kitchen - if there aren't any, these are going to need to be put in. They are currently required by many building codes, but there are houses that frequently slip in this respect.
Whatever the case, it is often too risky to try and fix it yourself. Instead, call a qualified electrician who can help you work out what the problem is and find the best - and easiest and cheapest - solution.
Often, the answer is no. In many townships in Pennsylvania it is illegal to do your own electrical work. Even if it is not, DIY electrical work causes more problems than it solves - often, a larger bill to get the problem you created fixed and in extreme cases a fire - and your insurance company may not pay out.
Thus, although there might be an exception when it comes to requiring licensed electricians to conduct this work, it is best for homeowners to avoid anything aside from the most basic projects. There are obviously costs associated with hiring a Philadelphia electrician, which is why it is vital to look for one who maintains feasible rates and who will not perform a lot of unnecessary tasks.
When should you call an electrician? The obvious reason is for non-functioning outlets or switches, but there are other signs your wiring system might need work. Dimming or flickering lights that aren't caused by old bulbs or tubes, odd smells, sparking from the fuse panel or hot outlets all indicate a significant problem. So can circuit breakers tripping frequently.
Another major sign is a marked rise in your electric bill that isn't in line with the amount of electricity that you're using - it usually means that there is a wiring issue or that you have out outdated appliance that must be replaced or repaired.
You additionally want to check and see if there are outlets that are GFC protected in the bathroom or kitchen - if there aren't any, these are going to need to be put in. They are currently required by many building codes, but there are houses that frequently slip in this respect.
Whatever the case, it is often too risky to try and fix it yourself. Instead, call a qualified electrician who can help you work out what the problem is and find the best - and easiest and cheapest - solution.
About the Author:
Finding a fully qualified Philadelphia electrician is now easier than before thanks to the convenience of the Web. Log on to this page and read the reviews on http://www.barryfisher-electric.com/.
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