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. But with so many wires, the potential for a malfunction or defect can be high.

Getting a home electrical inspection can help you know what is functioning properly and what needs maintenance before committing to 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 is a thorough examination of a home’s entire electrical system. This examination ensures that everything electrical in the home — from wires and outlets to larger components and appliances — all meet legal safety standards and are 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, as well as recommendations for electrical improvements.

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

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 all up to code and safe to use. Here are some of the most prevalent areas that 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 in fixtures. Every light fixture carries a maximum wattage rating. If bulbs exceeding that wattage 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 make sure that the home’s electrical systems are built to code. Common code violations can 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

In a home, a proper grounding system creates a secure path for electricity to flow to the earth to decrease the chances of a short circuit occurring. 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 exists and 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 that is 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 make sure that 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 sound or no sound at all, it needs new batteries. A professional electrician inspector will check that all smoke detectors are working properly during their home inspection.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors are essential to your family’s safety and are incredibly easy to test to make sure 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 of the home as well, 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 electrical inspection can be the difference between large electrical damage and expenses and the peace of mind 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, depending on where a home is located, an electrical inspection may be legally required before purchasing a home or applying for a building permit.

Nothing is worse than the stress a problem with a home brings. Electrical issues can cause irreversible damage to a house and can be dangerous to the people in a home. Ensure that your home is electrically safe and sound by getting a home electrical inspection today. Contact Lippolis Electric, Inc. to learn more about the electrical home inspection services that we offer!