The Do's and Don'ts of DIY Electrical Repairs - Perform Electrical Services
Do you want to take care of your home repairs, but are scared off by the thought of dealing with electricity? Find out what not to do and what things you should remember if attempting electrical repairs yourself.
1. Don't work with electricity if you're not comfortable doing so.
Electrical work should always be avoided unless you are certain that you can carry it out safely. Electricity is a dangerous substance that can easily cause harm, and appropriate precautions must be taken before attempting to do any work yourself.
2. Do take extra precautions if you're working on an older home.
If you have to turn off your circuit breakers to work on the wiring in an older house, do not assume that the wires are disconnected from the power source, especially if there are exposed wires or no circuit breaker. Instead, use a voltage tester to make sure there is no power getting through before working on the wiring.
3. Read the instructions carefully before starting any project.
We know it's tempting to just start working on the electrical wiring in your home, but it comes with a lot of potentially dangerous consequences if carried out incorrectly. The best way to avoid mistakes is to read the instructions that come along with any new equipment you buy for the project and double-check any directions before starting work.
4. Use a voltage tester to ensure the power is off before beginning any repairs
While circuit breakers are a safety measure, they aren't bulletproof. You can still get a shock from an appliance if the breaker has gone faulty, or has been labelled up incorrectly. You may also find accessories of the same type that are on different circuits in the same room eg. sockets on one side of the room to the other.
5. Don't work with live wires
It might be a little intimidating, but taking the time to find the right breaker and turning it off is a much safer option than working with live wires. If you can't work out which breaker to turn off, then call your local electrician.
6. Don't overload outlets or use extension cords unnecessarily
Even if the circuit breakers are off, you can still overload outlets by plugging in too many appliances at once. It's best to avoid using extension cords unless they're absolutely necessary, as these put a lot of unnecessary strain on your home's wiring.
7. Double-check your work once you're finished
It's easy to get caught up in completing a project that you forget about things you may have missed. Make sure everything has been done exactly according to the instructions, and double-check whether or not new appliances are grounded properly. In addition, if any of your home's wiring needs updating for safety reasons, call a professional electrician to avoid serious damage to yourself, your home, or others.
8. Don't forget to turn the power back on after completing your repairs!
How else are you supposed to restore power to your home? Double-check that everything has been done according to the instructions, turn on the circuit breaker and then test out any appliances in your house.
If you're still unsure about whether or not to take care of your repairs, don't worry! We're here to help. Call Jack now on 01934 707142 for more information or a free quote.