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When to Replace Your Electrical Outlet
April 6, 2023
When you are looking around your home for improvement projects and things that need repair, something small like an electrical outlet may not come to mind. However, outlets typically begin to show signs of wear and damage after fifteen years or so, especially if they are in high-usage areas of your home. Replacing your electrical outlets is a job for a trained electrician, and you will know when you need to contact one if you look out for the following signs.
When Outlets Need Replacement
- Damaged or Loosened Faceplate
- Heat and Sparks
- Ungrounded Outlets
The first sign of damage is the most obvious: a damaged or loosened faceplate or cover of the outlet. When this occurs, the wiring and metallic parts of the outlet are at greater risk of exposure and potential contact with either a person or water. With repeated use over the years, it is very likely that the mounting screws of the outlet can be loosened.
The second warning sign is when you can feel heat coming off the outlet or even see sparks flying when you plug something in. This is a clear indication that the outlet cannot handle the current running through it. Sparks are especially dangerous, as they can be considered a fire hazard if they are a common occurrence.
The final sign requires an electrician to determine: ungrounded outlets. This can be the case when you have a combination of two and three-pronged outlets in your residence.
If you would like to have a consultation about your home’s outlet replacement feel free to contact Laughlin Electric and one of our technicians will be with you in no time!
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FAQs
FAQs
Laughlin provides comprehensive electrical, plumbing, and home entertainment services, including installations, repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. We also specialize in custom lighting systems, solar systems, EV charger installations, and smart home system setups.
Yes, all Laughlin technicians are fully licensed, insured, and highly trained to ensure the highest quality of service and safety for your home. Our electricians possess C-10 Electrical Contractor’s Licenses, Lutron Installation Certifications, and Journeyman Electrical Certifications, while our plumbers have C-36 Plumbing Licenses.
Laughlin offers 24/7 emergency booking services for electrical, drain cleaning, and plumbing issues. We answer our phones 24/7, so feel free to call us whenever you need. Your emergency service will be booked as soon as possible according to the Central Coast location hours.
Yes, we offer a guarantee on all our services, and our work is backed by a warranty to ensure long-lasting results.
If your electrical panel has never been replaced and you’re constantly flipping breakers, it may be time for a replacement. Additionally, if the breaker feels hot to the touch or smells like it’s burning, it is a clear indication that it needs to be replaced.
Yes, we offer comprehensive maintenance plans for most of our services to ensure your electrical, plumbing, and home entertainment systems are always in optimal condition.
You can schedule a service appointment by contacting us through our website or by calling our customer service line. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs.
Laughlin is committed to providing premier services focused on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Our highly skilled and certified professionals are fit to handle any job. By staying true to our commitment to quality, we promise to get the job done right the first time. While other companies may be concerned with securing as many jobs as possible in one day, our biggest goal is to provide excellent service to our clients.
Circuit breakers can last 30 to 40 years. However, if you are experiencing frequent issues with your breakers, it may be a sign that they need to be replaced sooner.
An overload is caused by too much power draw, which trips a breaker. If this becomes frequent, additional circuits can be added to your home to separate high-energy appliances and prevent overloads.
A short circuit occurs when aging wires become loose or worn, causing a hot wire to touch a neutral wire and disrupt the current’s path. If the appliance’s cord isn’t damaged, it is a sign that the cables behind the wall need maintenance.
A whole-house generator in Santa Barbara ensures that your home remains powered during outages caused by natural events like storms or earthquakes. It provides a higher wattage capacity to support all essential appliances and systems, offering seamless and automatic backup power. This means that when a power outage occurs, the generator detects the interruption and activates within seconds, restoring electricity to the entire house without manual intervention, which is particularly beneficial in areas prone to power disruptions.
Yes, {fran_brand_name provides comprehensive generator services for both portable and whole-house generators in Montecito, Goleta, and the surrounding Santa Barbara areas. Their experienced team can guide you through the selection process, manage the installation, and ensure that your generator is properly connected to your home's electrical system, including securing necessary permits and setting up an automatic transfer switch if required for whole-house generators.
Choosing between a portable generator and a whole-house generator for your Santa Barbara home depends on your specific needs and budget. If you require backup power for your entire home and want an automatic response to power outages, a whole-house generator is ideal. However, if you only need to power a few devices and prefer a more budget-friendly option, a portable generator might be sufficient. Laughlin Electric can provide personalized advice to help you make the best decision for your situation.
