Electrical outlets are the lifeline of your home. Ensuring they’re well maintained will mean that all your appliances, computers, televisions, gadgets and anything else that requires an electrical current can keep performing optimally. What’s more, regular maintenance will keep your outlets safe, avoiding any risks of electrical fault or even fire.

Here are five essential maintenance tips for your electrical outlets.

1.    Frequent testing

Visit your local home hardware store and invest in an electrical outlet tester – you can normally pick one up for just a few dollars. The tester looks like a three-pronged plug which you plug into the outlet, and then the screen display will notify you of any problems. Walk around your home and test each and every outlet – and don’t forget those in your attic, basement, garage and garden. Ideally, try and do this on a monthly basis – discovering any problems early could save you a lot of money in the long run.

2.    Replace old wiring

If your home is brand new, this point may not apply. However, if the building is older – say 20 years or more – it’s worth considering replacing old wiring. The older the wiring, the more likely it is to have deteriorated. If your home was built in the 60s or 70s, the original electrician may have used aluminum wiring which was considered a cheap alternative to copper at the time but is no longer considered safe. A qualified electrician can check this for you.

3.    Check for overloaded outlets

If you have too many appliances using electricity from one outlet – or simply too many outlets working at once – you may exceed your wattage consumption. This can lead to the components overheating and will cause your breakers to trip – or even spark. Especially if you have kids who are plugging in all their toys and video games, it’s essential to check that they’re not overloading any outlets.

4.    Invest in covers

If you have young children or curious pets, it might be worth investing in outlet covers which make it much harder to interfere with the outlet and cause it any damage.

5.    Judge when DIY isn’t the right choice

While there are some basic wiring tasks that you may have picked up over the years, know when you are out of your depth. Unless you are a qualified electrician with the right equipment, it’s easy to wire things up the wrong way and cause some expensive damage.

Have a question on electrical repairs and maintenance? Contact me today!