The Importance of an Electrical Inspection Before Buying a New Home

The average home has hundreds of feet of wire running through the walls, ceilings and floors. These wires are how your lights, outlets and even appliances function. However, with so many wires, the potential for a malfunction or defect can be high.

A home electrical inspection can help you know what is functioning properly and what needs maintenance before purchasing a home. It’s important to know what you’re getting when buying a home, and an electrical inspection can help solve some of those mysteries before you commit to homeownership.

Table of Contents:

• What’s a Home Electrical Inspection?
• What’s Included in an Inspection?
• When To Get an Inspection?

What Is a Home Electrical Inspection?

A home electrical inspection thoroughly examines a home’s entire electrical system. This examination ensures that everything electrical in the home—from wires and outlets to larger components and appliances—meets legal safety standards and is up to code.

A proper electrical home inspection follows the National Electrical Code, which defines the minimum legal requirements for electrical standards in the United States. The licensed electrician will inspect your home and provide a detailed checklist of areas that need immediate action and attention and recommendations for electrical improvements.

An electrical walk-through of a new home happens on a newly constructed house, but you should get an electrical inspection on every home you’re considering buying.

New Homeowner’s Guide

What Is Included in a Home Electrical Inspection?

A home electrical inspection checklist helps a licensed electrician inspect every electrical component of your home to ensure it’s up to code and safe to use. Here are some of the most prevalent areas a licensed home electrician will look for in an electrical inspection.

Lightbulb Wattage

One of the easiest issues to avoid in an electrical home inspection is installing improper lightbulbs. Every light fixture carries a maximum wattage rating. If bulbs exceeding that rating are installed, the fixture could overheat and create a fire hazard. A certified electrician should check the wattage of fixtures during their inspection to ensure they are up to code and working properly.

Electrocution Hazards

A crucial part of an electrical home inspection is to ensure no electrocution hazards exist within the home. Common causes of electrocution include faulty wires, inadequate wiring and exposed electrical parts. An electrician inspector will check that the home has no faulty or exposed wiring that could pose an electrocution threat. Additionally, an inspector will ensure the home’s electrical systems are built to code. Common code violations include outlets being too close to water, defective electrical wiring, improperly installed wiring, and too many extension cords plugged in at one location.

Grounding Systems

A proper grounding system in a home creates a secure path for electricity to flow to the earth, decreasing the chances of a short circuit. A grounding system normally includes wires and a grounding rod that conducts electricity to the earth. An electrical home inspector will ensure that a grounding system is functioning properly.

Electrical Panels

Electrical panels are often found in a basement or garage and contain the circuit breakers to a home. Circuit breakers are critical to the safety of a home because they are designed to stop the electrical current if it surpasses the safe level of the home electrical system. Inspectors will look to verify that the panels have been installed correctly, that the circuit breakers are properly sized and that there is no evidence of electrical failures such as overheated components. They will also look for evidence of rodent, water, rust or aging damage. An electrical panel not up to code can lead to a power outage, fires and even electrocution.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are crucial to the safety of the occupants of a home, as they provide an alert any time smoke is present. Checking to ensure your smoke detector is functioning properly is as easy as holding the test button on the smoke detector. While it may take a few seconds to begin, a loud siren should sound from the detector while the button is pressed. If the detector makes a weak or no sound, it needs new batteries. A professional electrician inspector will check that all smoke detectors are working properly during their home inspection.

Detecting Electrical Fires

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors are essential to your family’s safety and are incredibly easy to test to ensure they are working correctly. Ideally, a carbon monoxide detector should be tested for accuracy once every six months. A properly working carbon monoxide detector senses deadly carbon monoxide gas that can enter the home through fuel-burning appliances, vehicles left running in attached garages or even a fireplace. During their inspection, an electrician will ensure you have a carbon monoxide detector that is working properly.

Outdoor Electrical Systems

While you may think that electrical systems are only found in the home, electrical wiring is commonly present outside the home, especially if a home has a front or back porch. If a home has outdoor light fixtures, inspectors will check the wiring and wattage of the fixtures to ensure that they are working properly and up to code. Additionally, inspectors may check any outdoor electrical boxes and cables for unprotected wiring or damaged and frayed outdoor wires.

When Should You Get a Home Electrical Inspection?

A home inspection can be the difference between large electrical damage and expenses and the peace of mind of knowing that a home is electrically sound. The Electrical Safety Foundation recommends getting an electrical inspection when purchasing a home, if a home is over 40 years old and when installing a new appliance. Additionally, an electrical inspection may be legally required before purchasing a home or applying for a building permit, depending on where a home is located.

Get A Home Inspection Today!

Nothing is worse than the stress a problem with a home brings. Electrical issues can cause irreversible damage to a house and harm the people in a home. Get an electrical inspection today to ensure your home is electrically safe and sound. Contact us to learn more about our electrical home inspection services!