If you are curious about the most common residential electrical repairs in Springfield, VA, this guide is for you.

1. Sparking Electrical Outlets

You're probably accustomed to seeing short, quick sparks when you flip a light switch or plug in an appliance or device. However, frequent and continuous sparking will need to be looked at, as it may indicate a risk of fire.

If a light switch or electrical outlet doesn't stop sparking after a second or two, immediately turn it off.



In most cases, you'll need to repair or replace a faulty switch, fixture, or wiring to fix the issue. This task should be left to a licensed and insured electrical contractor.

2. Buzzing Noises

You've probably heard a humming sound coming from the electrical transformer located outside your house. The humming also occurs when you are using household appliances and electronic devices, and is called a mains hum.

The mains hum occurs because electricity is an alternating current, and therefore, it produces a natural electrical humming sound.

While the humming sound can be annoying, it is generally harmless.

On the other hand, a buzzing sound coming from light fixtures, electrical outlets, or appliances, should be examined by a professional, as it may be an indication of problems with your electrical system.

Some potential causes of buzzing noises include:

• Frayed wires
• Loose wires
• Improperly grounded wires
• Overloaded circuit breakers



If you notice an incessant buzzing sound coming from your home's electrical system, get a professional repair service to reduce fire risks.

3. Burning Smell From an Electrical Outlet

If you see smoke or notice the smell of burning plastic coming from an outlet, you should unplug any connected appliances and devices and call an experienced electrician right away. If there's a burning odor from an outlet, these are the potential culprits:

• Old or faulty wiring
• An overloaded circuit
• The presence of a foreign object in the outlet box



Hiring an electrician who is conversant with electrical safety issues in homes will ensure accurate diagnosis and repair of the underlying problem.

4. Electric Shocks

Like many people, you've experienced static electricity during winter. The drier indoor air increases the chance of receiving an electric shock when you plug or unplug an appliance or electronic device in winter. You can avoid this by not touching the metal prongs of the plugs when you are connecting or disconnecting your appliances.



If you aren't touching the metal prongs of the plugs but you're still getting shocked, it's best to bring in a professional electrician. Other factors, such as frayed wires and faulty appliances could be to blame for this problem.

5. Flickering Lights

It's not uncommon to experience flickering lights during stormy weather. This may happen due to powerful lightning strikes or tree branches making contact with the power lines. If the weather is good and you're experiencing flickering or blinking lights, odds are your home has an electrical fault.

Some common electrical issues that may cause your lights to blink include the following:

• Damaged wiring
• Overheating light fixture
• Defective circuit breaker
• Overloaded electrical circuit connection



The best way to identify and fix the problem is to bring in a qualified electrician. If you experience frequent storms in your area, consider finding a Generac dealer in Springfield VA to help with your generator installation. A generator can be an excellent source of backup power during storm-related power disruptions or outages.

6. Fuse Keeps Blowing

Fuses are critical safety components of your home's electrical system. These small electrical parts help enhance safety at home by preventing the overflow of current in an electric circuit.

Whenever a particular circuit is overloaded, the fuse stops the flow of current through it, preventing the risk of overheating. This helps prevent potential fires.

While it is not unusual for fuses to occasionally blow, repeated fuse blowing is an electrical emergency that warrants immediate investigation. The main culprit is plugging in too many devices into an outlet.



However, other factors, including wiring, breaker, or arc issues can also cause the problem. The best way to identify the root cause of the problem is to hire a licensed electrician for the job.

7. Frayed Wires

Although your home's electrical wiring has insulation to protect it from external conditions, the wires can fray due to old age or damage. If you touch the frayed area, you may come in contact with the live wire and get electrocuted. Frayed electrical wires can also put your house at risk of catching fire, jeopardizing the safety of your property and your entire family.

Because house wiring often runs behind walls, in the ceiling, and other hidden areas of the home, you may not easily spot frayed wires. However, there are many common symptoms you can watch out for. These include the following:

• Buzzing sounds
• Smoke coming out of electrical outlets
• Flickering lights
• Burning smells from electrical fixtures or outlets
• Warm or hot electrical outlets

If you live in an older house, the above symptoms might signal it's time to rewire the entire building. Otherwise, repair costs can add up fast and exceed the one-time cost of whole-house rewiring. If the house or its wiring is relatively new, other factors, such as rodent damage might be to blame for your faulty wiring.



An experienced electrician can assess the damage and help you choose the best course of action.

Get Professional Help With Residential Electrical Repairs in Springfield, VA

While a determined DIYer can fix minor electrical issues, like replacing a bad light switch or electric outlet, it's generally best to leave home electrical repairs to the professionals.



At VANCELECTRIC, LLC, we offer all types of electrical repair services so homeowners like you don't have to worry about their safety. Don't hesitate to get in touch for a free estimate today!