Electrical Safety

Some homeowners in Keller, TX do not know how much difference electrical remodeling can make to their homes. Although costly, it’s among the best investments that make your house more energy efficient.

Electrical remodeling is not just about having newer appliances or better lighting; it also has a lot to do with making your home feel comfortable and secure. Continue reading to learn some of the benefits that come with upgrading your home’s electrical system.

Safety

Safety is the primary reason most homeowners undertake an electrical remodeling project. It is vital to keep your family safe, especially when you have children. In most older houses, outlets have two prongs, which can be problematic if you use modern appliances. Two prongs cannot provide sufficient power to most modern devices and equipment.

Secondly, when all the two-prong outlets are used simultaneously with energy-intensive equipment, the fuses are prone to blow. Also, another major issue with two-prong outlets is that they leave appliances exposed to power surges.

During the electrical remodeling, the electrician will upgrade your two-prong outlets with the more safe three-prong ones.

Fire Risks

Each year 51,000 fires occur in the United States due to electrical malfunction leading to almost 1.3 billion in property damage, nearly 500 deaths, and over 1400 injuries.

One of the key reasons to upgrade your home electrical system is to reduce fire risks. For instance, if the wires behind your home’s walls are outdated, weak, or not up to current building codes, your home could be at a high risk of catching fire.

Secondly, if your home has two prong outlet outlets when overloaded with appliances, the outlet can be at risk of hazardous sparks from blow fuses which can result in fire. In addition, faulty wiring within the switches and receptacles can put the home at risk of fire.

A certified electrician can inspect your electrical system to check for any electrical issues that can cause a fire in your home.

Bring Your Home Electrical System up to Code

Building codes change from one year to another. New safety standards may have been implemented since you last updated or installed your electrical system. Hiring an electrician to perform electrical remodeling can bring your home wiring back in line with the current building codes.

Updating your current building codes is essential if you plan to rent or sell your home. The code requirements in your area vary depending on the electrical system in place. When selling your home, it is crucial to consider the electrical system. You may be required to update it before you can get a permit from the city or state.

The code requirements in your area vary depending on what type of building it is and where in that particular area you live. Every state has specific minimum requirements that must be met before an inspector issues a certificate of compliance (COC).

Any home that doesn’t meet these criteria will only be sold if all problems are fixed by a qualified electrician in Keller, TX before moving forward with the sale process.

Protection from Surges

If your home appliances operate at high voltage, power surges can damage your electrical appliances. A power surge is an unexpected temporary rise in the voltage or current of an electrical circuit.

The most common form of a power surge is when lightning strikes a house and sends an electrical current through the wiring system. This can result in a fire or even damage the appliance.

Also, in some cases, a power surge can result from temporarily changing power usage in a factory near your home. This can negatively affect your home’s power lines connected to the factory. During the electrical remodeling, the electrician will install suppressors or premier surge protectors to protect your home from power surges.

Meet the Power of New Appliances

Usually, a modern household consumes a lot of energy, and the energy consumption is likely to increase as you continue to purchase more and more modern appliances since they rely on electricity.

In fact, according to recent data from EIA, the total energy consumption was 3.93 trillion kWh in the US in 2021, 13 times more than electricity use in 1950. Homeowners in Keller, TX whose electrical systems are unable to keep up with the power demands of their new electrical appliances, could be at risk of an electrical fire as the system in their circuit overloads.

Also, it can result in your circuit breaker tripping frequently. Contacting an electrician to remodel your home with up-to-date electrical systems is essential to take the load, especially in older homes.

Convenience

You can undertake a remodeling project just for convenience purposes. For instance, if you’ve two-prong outlets, you may upgrade to three. This gives you the advantage of having extra outlets in your house. You can power more appliances and devices without drawing too much power from one power source.

Secondly, most home insurance providers require that a home have electrical wiring to meet the current building codes, so electrical remodeling brings your home’s electrical system up to date.

In addition, updating your home’s electrical system can boost your home’s value. Most homebuyers today prefer homes with up-to-date wiring and power capacity.

Hiring an electrician to remodel your electrical system is a crucial step toward making your home more appealing to future buyers if you decide to sell it at some point.

Are You Ready to Upgrade Your Electrical System?

If you want the most out of your home investment, it is time to consider electrical remodeling. The best way to do this is by hiring a knowledgeable electrician experienced in completing tasks within the set timelines.

Tioga Contractors is the best electrical company to work with. Besides electrical remodeling services, our team of certified and experienced electricians can help you with code corrections, seasonal and security lighting, appliance hookup, and service upgrades. Reach out to us today.

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It is more important than ever to be aware of the dangers of electricity in today’s world. Electrical fires can happen in an instant and can cause extensive damage to your home. This article outlines some tips for preventing electrical fires in your home.

8 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

Hire a Professional Electrician for All Electrical Works

The first step in preventing electrical fires is to ensure that a professional does all electrical work. Many home fires are started by amateur attempts at fixing or upgrading electrical systems. No matter how minor the electrical work seems, it is always best to leave it to the professionals. An electrician will install and maintain your electrical system safely and know how to spot any potential problems.

Get Regular Electrical Inspections

Another critical step in preventing electrical fires is to get regular electrical inspections. An inspection can help identify any potential problems with your electrical system and will help ensure that everything is up to code. It is also a good idea to have an inspector check your home after a major renovation or addition, as these projects can often cause damage to the electrical wiring.

Schedule for Regular Electrical System Maintenance

In addition to getting regular inspections, it is also essential to do regular electrical system maintenance. This includes checking the wiring for damage, cleaning out the dust and debris from electrical panels and outlets, and checking all the switches and fuses. By keeping your electrical system in good shape, you can help prevent fires from occurring.

Install Electrical Smoke Detectors

Another critical step in preventing electrical fires is to install smoke detectors. These detectors will sound an alarm if there is a fire in your home, giving you time to evacuate and call for help. Ensure that all smoke detectors are in working order and replace them regularly. Hire a professional to install your smoke detectors and test them regularly.

Keep Electrical Cords Away from Heat Sources

One of the most common causes of electrical fires is cords being too close to heat sources. Ensure that all of your cords are kept away from heating devices, such as space heaters, ovens, and stoves. If a cord feels hot to the touch, it is too close to a heat source and needs to be moved.

Never Overload Electrical Outlets

Another common cause of electrical fires is overloaded outlets. Ensure that you do not plug too many appliances into an outlet, which can overload the circuit and cause a fire. If you constantly use multiple adapters to power your devices, upgrading to a higher-amperage outlet might be time. Contact an electrician to upgrade your outlet

Be Mindful of Appliances That Are Old and Out of Date

Another way to prevent electrical fires is by only using appliances rated for your home’s electrical system. Therefore, be mindful of old appliances and out of date. Many older appliances are not built to handle the high wattages that are common in today’s homes. If an appliance starts to smell funny or make strange noises, it is best to unplug it and replace it with a newer model. You can consult an electrician to find out which appliances are safe to use in your home.

Be Aware of Potential Hazards

Finally, it is crucial to be aware of potential hazards in your home. Electrical fires can often be sparked by something as simple as a frayed wire or faulty appliance. Be sure to keep an eye on all of your electrical devices and wiring, and report any problems immediately to a professional.

If you follow these tips, you can help prevent electrical fires in your home. Electrical fires can be hazardous and can cause extensive damage to your property. Be sure to take the necessary precautions to keep your family safe. For more information on preventing electrical fires, don’t hesitate to contact Tioga Contractors for a free consultation.

Signs of an Electrical Fire to Watch Out

The following are some signs that you may be experiencing an electrical fire:

Smoke or sparks coming from outlets, switches, or appliances: This is the most common sign of an electrical fire and should be taken seriously. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself – evacuate your home and call for help.

Sparks flying out from outlets, switches, or appliances: Sparks are an indication that there is a problem with the wiring in your home and could lead to a fire. When you see sparks, unplug all of the appliances in your home and immediately call for help from an electrician.

Burning plastic or rubber smell: This smell is often a sign of an electrical fire. If you smell burning plastic or rubber, evacuate your home and contact an electrician.

Flickering lights: Flickering lights can be a sign that there is something wrong with the wiring in your home. When you see flickering lights, unplug all of the appliances in your home and call an electrician immediately.

Discoloration or soot on appliances: This is a sign of an electrical fire. Do not use the appliance and call for help.

Brownout or surge: This is a sign that too much electricity is flowing through your home’s electrical system. It can also be a sign of an electrical fire. Leave the area immediately and call for help.

Strange noises from electrical devices: If you hear strange noises from your electrical devices, unplug them and call for help from a professional electrician. These noises could be a sign of an electrical fire.

If you are experiencing any of these signs, evacuate your home and call for help. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself. Electrical fires can be hazardous and can cause extensive damage to your property. Be sure to take the necessary precautions to keep your family safe. Don’t hesitate to contact a professional electrician from Tioga Contractors – Irving, TX for more information on preventing electrical fires.

Keep Your Home Safe – Hire Tioga Contractors – Irving, TX Today!

If you’re looking for a reliable and professional electrician in Irving, TX, look no further than Tioga Contractors. We are a professional electrical company that can help keep your home safe from electrical fires. We offer a wide range of services, including electrical repairs, installation, and maintenance. We also offer free consultations to help you determine which appliances are safe to use in your home. Contact us today for more information!

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An essential part of modern life, electricity is used for lighting, heating, cooling, refrigeration, and operating appliances, including computers, electronics, machinery, and public transportation systems. It is hard to think of life without electricity and electrical contractors.

Improper designs, installations, counterfeit products, faulty wiring or equipment, and overloading of power sockets could lead to electrical hazards such as fires and electrocution. Conversely, this culminates in the loss of life and property, thus homeowners ought to invest more and pay special attention to electrical systems to avert this loss.

To avoid these electrical hazards, you can involve electrical contractors in the planning, installing, and repairing wiring of indoor and outdoor electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. In this blog post, you’ll discover ways to safeguard your property from electrical mishaps.

Investing in Safe Electrical Design

Professional electrical designs play a big part in preventing electrical hazards, thus saving lives and properties. Therefore, homeowners should carefully choose electrical contractors to design, install, upgrade or remodel their electrical systems.

Qualified designers conceptualize wiring and power distribution models that fit the needs of an individual project and update engineers and clients on the progress.

Poor designs can contribute to fire outbreaks and consequently huge losses. It is wise to consult an electrical contractor in Arlington, TX, to help you identify a professional designer.

Quality Installation

To protect your property from damage, install high-quality and durable electrical equipment. For instance, you can have switchgear to prevent current leakage, voltage surge, short circuits, and overload while improving electrical efficiency and safety.

Another crucial electrical component is a circuit breaker that shields devices from overload and short-circuits. Residual current circuit breakers are best installed in washrooms, kitchens, and laundries to detect disconnections and leakage in circuits.

Proficient electrical contractors can help you select quality installation devices in the market and help you in fitting them.

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance of electrical equipment can improve performance, reduce accidents and guarantee safety. Well-maintained equipment operates at optimal levels and lasts longer. Malfunctioning electrical equipment consumes more power, which means additional bills and may put your life in danger.

For instance, if you have a washing machine, you can check them every three months to avoid leakages that could lead to electrocution. Also, if you suspect that your refrigerator is consuming more power than expected, chances are gas could be escaping due to a technical fault.

Electrical contractors in Arlington, TX, will help you with information on your electrical appliances and electronics cleaning and maintenance.

Overloading

Electrical outlets and power strips hold a certain amount of electrical voltage, and plugging in a device with a higher wattage has disastrous consequences.

Avoid overloading power strips and if you are not conversant with electrical voltage in devices, contact an electrical contractor. To reduce the risk of an electrical fire, use power strips with circuit breaker features that trip once devices are overloaded.

Damaged Cords and Wires

Get your electrical system serviced at least once a year by reliable electrical contractors lest your cords get melted, frayed, blackened, or corroded. Once the outer sheathing is damaged, the exposed live wires underneath become susceptible to fires.

Unplug electronic appliances by pulling on the plug instead of the cord to prevent such tears. Never cover an exposed wire with tape since it can catch fire.

Working Smoke Alarm

Almost three out of five home fire deaths in the United States are caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms.

Smoke detectors save you millions. Think of it, the warning by smoke detectors gives you time to escape before a fire outbreak. Hence, ensure your fire alarm is functional by inspecting it every month. Dealing with smoke detectors can be tricky, so consult electrical contractors for assistance.

Use Power Surge Protector

Connect all your electrical appliances to a surge protector before turning them on-this is extremely useful in areas with unstable power supply. Turn off electrical equipment such as TVs and computers when not in use to avoid overheating or a power surge that can damage the electronics or cause a fire. For appropriate power surge equipment contact an electrical contractor.

Dry Electrical Appliances

Keep electrical appliances from moisture and water. In case an electronic device falls into water, put off the power supply at your home’s electrical panel before trying to recover it. It would be best to have the device checked by a technician to ensure safe use. If you have no technician in mind, ask for help from an electrical contractor.

Keep Electrical Outlets Protected

Ensure that all electrical outlets are well covered. If they are left exposed, toddlers are likely to stick objects in and put babies at risk of an electric shock. Keep walkways and aisles clear of electrical cords or cables to prevent people from tripping. If you need assistance tidying the electrical codes on the walkways, ask for help from electrical contractors.

Cushion Electrical Appliances Against Weather Conditions

Do not leave electrical appliances exposed to weather conditions. Thunderstorms, snow, and ice cause power surge and could ruin electronic devices in your home.

Always have surge protection in place to protect against damage to your electronics. Use a doorbell with a waterproof cap. Also, put plans in place for severe weather. During winter, check out your property for possible hazards. If you need assistance with this, contact an able electrical contractor.

Your Trusted Electrical Contractors in Arlington, TX

At Tioga Contractors, we help you avoid electrical risks and hazards in your home through our top-notch electrical services.

Our technicians are committed to providing the best solutions to your electrical needs. They are available 24/7 for emergency services. You can also rely on us for commercial and residential installations, modeling, landscape or outdoor lighting, motor controls, high voltage repairs, and troubleshooting. Contact us today!

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From the moment your little one is born, your life will change in ways you never imagined. One is a more practical way, reflecting how much electrical power provides for our lives. Beginning in the nursery and evolving over time to when your child is getting ready for college, your home here in Euless, TX will need to support a wide range of devices, providing safety and comfort in the early years and adding support for learning devices, entertainment, communication, and lifestyle changes for your whole growing family. Your electrician can make a big difference in how your family life evolves with a few changes to your home’s electric service and wiring.

The Nursery Years

Your child’s first environment will need a number of devices for modern childcare, including of course a baby monitor, a source of soothing music, and environmental gear such as a humidifier and air filter if needed. You’ll also need power for any devices that the parents need such as bottle warmers and the ever present phone charger. All of those devices and more will need to be connected in convenient locations, rather than scattered around the room at available outlets. Our electrician can add outlets, increase dual to quad outlets, and also upgrade any existing outlets to childproof ones for the future.

As Children Get More Active

Wandering children are curious children, and childproof outlets will be the rule wherever your child could conceivably get in contact with them. These aren’t outlets with the old plastic inserts that have to be removed and set aside when the outlet is in use, then found again when the device is unplugged. These are modern outlets required by electrical code for new homes, with a mechanism that prevents single exploratory pieces of metal from being inserted. Only simultaneous entry into both sides, by a proper plug for example, can provide access to your home’s electric circuits.

Other safety measures include GFCI devices in your children’s bathrooms and in fact throughout your home, wherever water and electricity could mix, for everyone’s sake. A children’s bathroom should also have a water leak detector to sound the alarm directly or through your home’s alarm or smart home system, so that little explorers that turn on the water can’t make too much of a mess before people come running, informed by technology, to turn it off.

Your child may also benefit from interesting lighting fixtures, colorful lighting displays, and other distractions that make for a stimulating environment. If you enjoy implementing the latest technology, it’s a straightforward matter to install window shade controls that, with an intelligent controller, manage the amount of sunlight that enters the room during the day. Our versatile electrician can install these and other electrical devices and circuits as needed for a safe, convenient, and enriching environment for your child.

Family Time Is Special Time

One way that families get together and enjoy an evening together, relax and have fun on rainy days, and even learn and explore new worlds is through a home theater system. Properly installed, it can be a great resource and a way to stay social rather than focus on individual screens. Our electricians can install the power your system needs for the television, high-powered amplifier, content sources, and other equipment as well as wiring your system for networking and speakers.

We use our electrician’s skills to locate the wires behind your walls or in other safe locations that keep them out of the way of young children, making it easier to just relax and enjoy the show. You can also connect your gaming system when children get old enough to enjoy the active games that are available for them. Other family social environments include the kitchen and outdoor areas such as the deck, all of which can benefit from a visit by the electrician to provide convenient power outlets, weatherproof if appropriate.

Tweens Need Power

Tweens, spending time in their rooms studying, playing, and communicating, need well-located connections to electrical power for their devices, including chargers for their phones and computers. You may want quad outlets, or outlets that include USB power to minimize the clusters of “wall wart” power adapters, and you definitely should make sure your children minimize their use of extension cords and power strips that spread electrical risks across the room, creating potential hazards for shock, liquid spills into outlets, and poor connections that heat up and could cause damage. Extension cords also are prone to wear from chair wheels rolling over them and other abrasions, creating still more risks. Stay focused on wall connections, and you’ll keep them safer.

Teens and Tech Sophistication

Your teens also have the need for plenty of places to plug in, including their gaming systems, computers, televisions, and media sources. Gaming, remote health and education applications, and general video conferencing applications require plenty of network speed, so if your kids don’t have network access via a cable box, wired Ethernet may be a good idea. For teen rooms, our electricians can also add features like unique lighting fixtures, smart gadgets including light switches, and workspaces with pre-installed power for both regular and USB similar to those available at libraries and coffee shops. Once you see all that we can do for your kids, there’s only one problem: you’ll want upgrades for your master bedroom as well. That’s a great idea, and we’ll be glad to do it.

Your Versatile Electrician Can Help You Get Creative in Wiring Your Home for Your Family

Our Tioga Contractors team of electricians serving the Euless, TX area is ready to update your home for your changing lifestyle as your family grows. We’ll make sure that your electrical power is easily available, safely installed, and ready for the wide variety of devices a modern family enjoys. Give us a call to help your family with great ideas and professional work.

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The health and condition of your home’s electrical system are extremely important. Your electrical system can be a wonderful convenience or an old, outdated disaster. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), electrical faults and mishaps are the cause of an average of 48,000 homes in the U.S. These fires have led to the deaths of over 400 people and over 1500 injuries. Maintaining a healthy electrical system is extremely important to prevent your home or property from becoming one of those statistics. Proper installation of your electrical system and appliances is also important for preventing electrical disasters. According to NFPA, 30 percent of electrical fires begin with the ignition of a wire or cable insulation. Hire a professional electrician to ensure your electrical wires, appliances, and components are in good condition and are safe for use.

If you live in or around the Irving, TX, area, contact Tioga Contractors for preventive electrical system maintenance and repairs.

Common Electrical System Malfunctioning Signs You Should Always Be on The Lookout For

Your electrical system can malfunction for a number of reasons. When it does, it can lead to problems of varying degrees, like a high energy bill or something more serious like electrical shock and fire. Addressing the signs of a malfunctioning electrical system can help you prevent and reduce the number of electrical malfunctions you experience. If you notice any of the following electrical system malfunction signs, contact your local and professional electrician, right away.

Are Your Circuit Breakers Tripping?

If your circuit breakers trip, that isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm. Circuit breakers are designed to do just that. Circuit breakers are a safety feature installed in each and very professionally installed electrical system. Circuit breakers are a necessary safety measure. Circuit breakers can be tripped automatically or manually. A circuit breaker tripping may be caused by a number of irregularities in your electrical system. The frequency and severity of your circuit breaker trips are what you need to pay attention to. Contact your local electrician if your circuit breaker is acting up more than usual.

Circuit breakers trip when it recognizes an influx or irregularity in voltage. Its automatic tripping feature is there for your safety and to prevent electrical disasters from taking place. Electricity is powerful and hot. It can easily cause an electrical fire or electrical shock. If your electrical circuit breakers are constantly tripping or multiple circuits are tripping at one time, contact a professional. If you live in or around the area, contact Tioga Contractors, for all of your electrical service repair needs.

Is Something Burning?

A healthy electrical system does not smell or look like burning, fire, or smoke. These are all signs of an unhealthy electrical system. If you notice the burn marks or the smell of burning coming from your outlets or light sockets stop using them and contact an emergency electrician right away. This is a clear indication that something isn’t right with your home’s electrical sockets. If you notice this, stop using those outlets immediately. Continuing to use them can and will result in more property damage, and perhaps worse. An urgent repair is required if you want to use your electrical sockets and wiring again.

Outlets and light switches may start to burn for a number of reasons. Your electrical wires that connect that socket may be frayed, improperly installed, old, or broken. The most common reason outlets and light sockets begin to burn are due to it not being grounded. The misdirection of electrical energy will start to heat the surrounding areas. The areas will become so hot that they will begin to burn slowly. The result of this will become apparent when you smell the burning or if you begin to see it around the outlets and on the walls. This means there is extensive damage happening behind your walls, and the longer it is left to persist, the worse it will get. Do not allow this problem to persist, and contact a professional for urgent service as soon as possible. If you live in or around the Irving, TX, area, contact Tioga Contractors for all of your electrical service needs.

Are Your Lights Flickering? Are You Experiencing Frequent Power Surges

Flickering lights may not always be cause for alarm, a power surge may not be either. Flickering lights are quite common in older homes and power surges to happen every so often. However, healthy electrical systems will rarely, if ever experience these issues. Flickering lights and power surges are usually the byproducts of old, worn-out, or poorly maintained systems. If your lights flicker for a millisecond every time you turn on the lights, you should contact a professional, however, there is no reason to make it urgent. If your power surges once every 3 years, this is also no cause for alarm, simply have a professional electrician assess, update, and repair your system at your earliest convenience.

Flickering lights and power surges become an emergency matter when it happens frequently and incessantly. If your light flickers at random intervals or severely, contact a professional emergency electrician. If your power surges when you turn another appliance or surges severely and for a long time, contact an emergency electrician. Power surges and flickering lights may be occurring due to a lack of electrical power, frayed wires, or the use of appliances that require more voltage than your electrical system can handle. Consulting with a professional electrical technician on these matters can prevent further damages and give you an understanding of what your electrical system may need.

Overview

Flickering lights, power surges, burning outlets, and constant circuit breaker trips indicate your electrical system is in need of some serious care. The best way to care for our electrical system is to prevent these electrical malfunctions from taking place with preventive maintenance services. Preventive electricals system maintenance should only be carried out by an experienced and local electrician to ensure your electrical system will be brought up to codes and regulations, as well as ensuring the electrical work that’s done on your home is done accurately and safely. If you live in or around the area, and are in need of a professional or emergency electrician, contact the professionals at Tioga Contractors.

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Your home’s electrical system can be considered dangerous. Your electrical system handles a load of electrical energy every day, nearly all day long. This constant influx of energy is powerful. Your electrical system is strong and sturdy, however, constant wear and tear are bound to make your home’s electrical system faulty at some point in time. To keep your electrical system in good condition, experts recommend having a reoccurring electrician, service your home at least once a year. This yearly maintenance visit will include inspections, repairs, and upgrades when needed. A yearly or biannual electrical system checkup will help prevent electrical system malfunctions, and maintain the safety parameters used to keep you and your property safe from serious electrical system faults.

To stay safe when using your electrical system, it is important to pay attention to it. Your electrical system may exhibit signs that something isn’t right and needs to be repaired right away. If you notice any signs that your electrical system isn’t working properly, you need to contact a professional right away. Another way to ensure your safety when using your electrical system is getting yearly inspections by a professional. A trained electrician will be able to see signs you may not notice and prevent electrical disasters before they occur. If you are in need of a professional electrical technician in the Bedford, TX, area, contact Tioga Contractors for urgent and reoccurring electrical maintenance and repair.

Common Electrical Hazards

There are things you can do to avoid common electrical mishaps. Taking preventive measures will save you money, prevent injury, and prevent property damage. If your property is prone to electrical malfunctions or hazards, have it fixed as soon as possible. Do not allow electrical hazards to remain in operation. Repairing electrical faults fast will help you prevent electrical fires, electric shock, and electrical property damage.

Bad Quality or Loose Wiring

Your home’s wiring system must be in tip-top shape at all times in order to function safely and efficiently. Poor quality wiring or loose wiring can cause power surges, electrical fires, and electrical shock to become an imminent threat. Loose wires are especially concerning because it is hard to detect and may lead to significant property damage or bodily injury. The presence of loose wiring indicates there is electrical energy being wasted and damaging your electrical system. Your reoccurring electrician will be able to detect this malfunction and replace the loose or frayed wire before it causes more damage.

Your electrical system needs secure circuits and wires in order for electricity to travel around your property safely. If your wires are loose, some of that electrical energy is being disbursed directly into the rest of your electrical system in an uncontrolled way. This will lead to electrical system damage and possibly worse instances of property damage.

There are many factors that can cause loose and frayed wires to occur. If your system is old or incorrectly installed, it could lead to significantly damaged wiring. Other factors include insects and rodents. Rodents and insects sometimes chew through or damaged wires, which can cause your electrical system to become compromised. Finding the culprit of the damage is just as important as the repair. Finding the cause of the issue will help prevent it from ever happening again. Your reoccurring professional electrician is going to find the cause and repair it. Once the cause of the malfunction is eliminated you can use your electrical system without worry or stress it will damage your property or harm you. If you live in or around the Bedford, TX, area, contact Tioga Contractors for all of your electrical service needs.

Extension Cords

Extension cords are considered electrical hazards because it’s an accident waiting to happen. Having multiple extension cords is an eyesore, it is inefficient, and can cause people to trip. Using extension cords for long periods of time can also be hazardous to natural wear and tear. Extension cords are meant to be used temporarily. If you find that you are using multiple extension cords often, you should have a professional electrician install more outlets.

Outlets Near Water

The ideal configuration of your electrical system would have electrical outlets far away from sources of water, such as a sink, bathtub, or toilet. However, having an outlet near water is sometimes unavoidable. There are methods and appliances you can use that will ensure your safety when using an outlet near water.

To stay safe when using outlets near water you must never use one when your hands are wet. Be sure to thoroughly dry your hands when you go to plug something in or turn something on. Do not run water when using the electrical outlet in bathrooms or kitchens. When you are done using the appliance, unplug it and put it away. When plugging in an electrical appliance, make sure the surface is dry.

Outlets that are near water will usually have a safety measure installed. This safety measure is known as a GFCI. A GFCI is a ground fault circuit interrupter. This device is meant to interrupt the circuit when it notices an imbalance in the electrical current. The GFCI can be lifesaving. It can also help protect your property from electrical damage. The GFCI is an essential safety component for outlets near water sources. If you do not have GFCI’s installed in the outlets near water or are unsure if you do, contact your local electrician to have them installed as soon as possible.

You have to be careful when using outlets that are near water. Using protective measures and having your trusted and local electrician inspect and install more protective measures will ensure your safety when using electrical appliances around water.

In Case of an Electrical Emergency

In the case of an electrical emergency do not panic, contact emergency personnel right away. If an electrical fire ever occurs do not pour water on it. The flame will just spread the fire since water is a conductor of electricity. You should use a fire extinguisher instead. In the case of an electric shock, you should not touch the person being electrocuted, instead, use a stick or something that doesn’t conduct electricity to try and move them from the electric source. If you can, cut the electrical current off completely.

Preventing these common electrical hazards is extremely easy to do. You must hire a local and trusted professional electrician to periodically inspect and repair your electrical system components In order to keep your system running efficiently and safely. If you live in or around the Bedford, TX, area, and are in need of a professional electrician, contact Tioga Contractors.

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When it comes to electrical issues at your Hurst, TX home, most homeowners are smart enough to know that this isn’t the kind of project you should try to do on your own. It’s a rare homeowner who would even think twice about hiring an electrical service when there’s a serious problem with the wiring in the home.

But recognizing when you really need an electrical service isn’t always easy, because electrical wiring issues aren’t always evident to the average person. To figure out when you need to call for assistance, you need to use both your senses and your common sense. Here are a few things to look for that say you need to call a reliable electrician right away!

Warm Wall Outlets

Your appliances might be affected by temperature over time, but the outlets at your home shouldn’t be. It’s common for an appliance to become overheated if it’s plugged in for too long because it’s generating power into a confined space, but if your outlet is doing the same thing, you’ve got a real problem on your hands.

That’s because your outlet is not designed to overheat, and if it does, it means that your electrical wiring is likely the culprit. At a minimum, a warm or hot outlet needs to be replaced, because a hot outlet could cause an electrical fire inside your walls. In a best-case scenario, your circuit breaker will trip before it can cause a fire, but if your wiring is loose, it’s likely that the circuit breaker won’t actually be activated when the outlet starts to heat up.

If the circuit breaker doesn’t trip, you could have a major fire on your hands in rather short order. This isn’t worth risking; as soon as your outlet feels warm to the touch, you need to get your outlets replaced and call an electrical service to come to your home for repairs.

Flickering Lights

When most people see flickering lights at their Hurst, TX home, their first thought usually isn’t to call an electrician. Their first thought is usually to make a visit to their local hardware store, pick up some light bulbs and replace the flickering lights.

That’s sometimes a solution, but in many cases, flickering lights are actually a sign that you’ve got a problem with your wiring. When you plug in multiple appliances at the same place, you’re not supposed to see your lights flickering or hear them buzzing. If you do, that’s a sign that you’ve got to have someone take a hard look at the wiring, because something probably isn’t right with your outlet.

Whether you’re overloading that outlet with too many appliances or you’ve got an issue with your wiring, your home needs assistance from a professional electrical service, because at the minimum, you need to upgrade your wiring to carry the load. In a worst-case scenario, you’ll need to have your wiring replaced in order to keep the home well-lit and prevent safety issues.

Frayed Wiring

This is the most obvious sign that something is really wrong with your electrical wiring, because when your wiring is frayed, it becomes difficult to keep the electricity flowing to where it needs to go. More than that, it’s a safety hazard, because touching a live wire without proper protection can lead to electrocution, serious injury or worse.

Unfortunately, wiring can break as time goes on, and with rats, termites and other pests potentially invading your home, chewed wires can be every bit as dangerous as frayed wires. Luckily, these take no effort whatsoever to spot if they’re visible inside your home. Nor do they take any guesswork: you’ve got to call an electrical service to replace frayed wiring as soon as you see it. At a minimum, you’ve also got to make sure the wiring is safe from pets and children until an electrical expert can make the trip, because frayed wires are always a serious safety hazard.

Smoke Smells and Discolored Wires

When it comes to your electric wires and deciding whether you need to call an electrical service for your home, trusting three of your five senses is one of the best ways to get information. (Obviously, touching or tasting an electrical wire is always a very bad idea.)

We’ve touched on what you can see and hear, but smells can also be a sign that something is very wrong with your home’s wiring. If you notice a smoke smell near one of your appliances, that’s a sign that something’s up that an electrical service needs to fix, because the problem probably isn’t with your appliance. Smoke should never be ignored inside your home, and when the smoke is coming from near one of your outlets, you need to call for assistance at your first opportunity. The presence of smoke almost always means a fire is imminent, and an electrical fire can be a nightmare to extinguish once it gets going.

You’ll also want to make sure to take a good look at the wires coming from your outlet, because smoke discoloration is a certain sign that you’ve got an issue with your wiring. When the coating of your appliances’ wires have taken smoke damage, your first move should be to immediately pull your appliances from that outlet and contact a trusted electrical service to make repairs. The longer you leave a wire in an outlet that’s actively causing damage, the bigger the risk is to your home and its safety.

At Tioga Contractors, we know that electrical wiring is something that always needs to be taken seriously, and we’re proud to put our knowledge and expertise to work to make repairs at your home. If you’ve spotted any of the signs that something might be wrong with the wiring in your home, it’s time to contact our electrical service for repairs. We’ll take a good look and ensure that any repairs are made with the utmost care!

Photo By Nikolay Khoroshkov at Shutterstock

Feeling safe inside your own house is very important. While the winter settles in for good, you tend to spend more and more time inside the house. Unarguably, comfortable temperatures and lighting are much better than the shivering cold temperatures hanging outside.

The freezing weather that comes with this part of the year, brings along an increased demand for electricity as everything depends on it nowadays. From your mobile phone to the washing machine and the internet connection, electricity is a part of our society and living without it is really difficult.

Electricians in Bedford, TX, are extremely busy this time of the year, as households are rallying to prepare for the Christmas festivities. As with every year, hundreds of decorating lights are needed in order to achieve that breathtaking decoration of your house that stands from the rest of the neighborhood. Let alone, the Christmas tree requires a lot of lights, and decorations in order to shine properly and feel the interior of your house with hope and energy for the next year.

As you can imagine, Christmas is the time of the year where each property requires more electricity than the rest of the year. In order to achieve the decoration results you want, and at the same time be confident that the house is electrically safe, it’s a good idea to have a chat with your local electrician and find out what steps you can take to increase safety.

Apart from safety, efficiency and practicality are two things that can make life much more comfortable and at the same time help you to cut down on electricity bills. Automated LED lights are known to last for years and are way more efficient than conventional Christmas lights. As you will discover later in this post, smart lighting can make an impact on your monthly bills while at the same time, let you control everything from your phone.

In this article, you will discover how an electrician can help you increase the safety and efficiency of your property during Christmas without overspending your budget.

Wiring Replacement

Old wires are usually responsible for most of the electrical problems in the house. From buzzing noises to devices flickering like they are about to jump to another universe, an old wire installation can reduce the efficiency of the house and cause some discomfort. With the passage of time, the insulating material used to cover the wire may start wearing out, exposing you to harmful voltages.

For a modern house to function correctly, it’s essential to have a well-maintained wire installation. Hiring an electrician is the easiest way to find out what cables are old and need to be replaced. If you are planning on putting more Christmas lights, you should mention this to a professional in case a cable extension is required.

Electrical Panel Check

The fuse board is an essential part of the house. There you can quickly disconnect a part of the house that doesn’t require electricity or is in need of repair. During an emergency, it’s crucial to have quick access to the fuse panel as it can help avoid an incident. Similar to wires, fuses tend to wear out and an electrician is required to replace them.

During Christmas, it’s essential to replace any old fuses to avoid constantly resetting them. Old fuses can be sensitive to normal electrical loads that don’t cause a problem.

LED Lights

Updating all your decorating lights with LED ones can make a huge difference. LED lights are very bright and unlike conventional options, they provide a rich canvas of colors and blinking options. LED lights are also way more efficient than older technologies and consume only a fraction of the energy required to work. If you suffer from inflated electrical bills, ask your electrician how LED lights can help you bring that down.

Power Surge Protection

Fortifying the house with surge protectors is a good option during Christmas. A power surge can happen by a faulty device, wire, or even an external factor. For example, during a storm, objects may become entangled in electricity wires and cause the voltage to fluctuate.

Ask your electrician on your next maintenance appointment to find out how power surge protection and good grounding networks can keep your house safe from damage.

Portable Appliance Testing

If you let a property as part of a commercial activity, then you are required by law to ensure that the electrical equipment supplied with the property is safe for people to use. A PAT test can be done on white goods such as toasters, washing machines, cookers, etc. A professional can carry out the test in a short amount of time.

Make The Call Today

Before you sit back and enjoy the Christmas decorations of your own house, remember to arrange for an electrician to inspect the condition of your property. Christmas lights and decorations add a considerable demand for electricity supply to the house, and a well-maintained wiring installation is required to safely keep everything running. A professional can help you replace older lighting bulbs with modern low-consumption ones and deflate the electricity bills.

Having a house that is electrically safe is very important. Our dependence on technology means that electricity is a necessary commodity and all homeowners should remember that. A neglected wiring installation can start an electrical fire, which will cost much more than ordinary maintenance. The value of a safe electrical installation is priceless and insurance companies may offer better premiums to responsible landlords.

Invest in your property and give us a call. Tioga Contractors are offering the best electricians for your property. Covering the wider area of Bedford, TX, specialists will take care of your electrical issues in no time.

Photo By milehightraveler at istock

Winter storms are common and hazardous in many parts of the United States. Many homeowners worry about how they’ll cope during a power outage but have you thought about how floods or lightning can affect your electrics. How you act and react during a storm will determine how safe you and your family are. Don’t risk putting yourself at risk this winter; follow these simple tips to keep yourself safe whatever the weather.

If you live in Hurst, TX, or the surrounding area and are searching for an electrical service, don’t hesitate to contact Tioga Contractors. The company is available for all types of electrical installation, maintenance, and repair and can also provide an emergency electrical service.

When Lightning Strikes

Lightning kills and injures many people each year. For this reason, it’s essential to take electrical storm safety seriously. If you’re unlucky enough to suffer from a lightning strike, the event could be fatal. Many people do survive but are left with lasting physical or neurological damage.

Lightning can also strike trees, bring down power lines, and damage electrical equipment. Sometimes there will be a power outage during a lightning storm, or homes will suffer from power surges, affecting electric circuits and appliances. If your homes have been affected call a local electrical service for help and advice.

What Is A Power Surge?

Your electrical system will suffer from a power surge during a storm when there’s a sudden, unexpected increase in voltage. During a power surge, your home and electrical appliances will be supplied with an intense amount of energy that exceeds the standard 120 volts that circuits have been designed to handle. Your home may suddenly be supplied with thousands of volts of electrical charge. This is very dangerous and can also cause electrical appliances to break. After a power surge, you may find that your home has no electricity or that computers, TV, and HVAC systems no longer work.

The most common cause of a power surge is a strike of lightning nearby. If the lightning strikes a powerline or utility pole, it may bring it down or cause a jolt of electricity to be fed into your home and neighboring properties. This high voltage electricity will burn your wiring and circuitry and can even cause a fire to start.

If your home is unlucky enough to experience a severe power surge, you’ll need to call in the help of an electrical service. If you live in Hurst, TX, contact Tioga Contractors. The company can also install a surge protector, which will help protect your electrics. It’s best to install a surge protector if you live in an area that’s prone to winter storms. It’s also a wise idea to insure your property and personal belongings in case your home is damaged due to electricity.

Stay Indoors During A Storm

When a storm is raging outside, it’s best to stay indoors, whether there is thunder or lightning or not. Don’t go outside to try and stop things blowing away or to try and fix any damage. Wait until the storm has passed before assessing damage to your land or property.

If a storm hits before you’ve reached home, it may be a good idea to stay in the nearest sheltered area. You may need to remain in a shop or cafe or could remain in your car until it’s passed. Always remember the ‘30-30′ rule. If you hear thunder, lightning will strike within thirty seconds. It’s a good idea to remain where you are at least thirty minutes after you’ve heard the last clap of thunder.

You should also keep away from water if an electrical storm is forecast. Don’t go out in a boat or walk near a river. Water is dangerous as it is the best conductor of electricity. When lightning strikes, it’s attracted to the tallest object in the area, which is likely to be a person or tree. It’s, therefore, a good idea to stay away from trees.

Avoid Hazardous Areas

Even if you stay indoors, certain things should be avoided during an electrical storm. Keep away from metal and water. Windows can be hazardous, as they are particularly vulnerable to damage. Stay in the central area of your home, or during a bad storm, retreat to the basement. Ensure that all your doors and windows are properly closed, including the garage door.

As water is a powerful conductor of electricity, you should avoid taking a bath or shower or doing the dishes during a thunderstorm. If lightning strikes an outdoor plumbing fitting, electricity will travel through the metal pipes into your home. It’s also wise to avoid using metal objects such as stoves, or electronics including washing machines, entertainment systems, or computers. Instead, use a wireless device such as a cell phone or unplugged laptop.

What To Do After A Storm

Electrical storms can be hazardous and cause considerable damage. After a storm has finished, you can assess the damage to your home, yard, and neighborhood. If you’ve noticed any damage to your electrical circuits, wires, or appliances, don’t attempt to fix these yourself as this is dangerous. Instead, call a professional electrical service to deal with such problems.

If any power lines have come down near your home or in your neighborhood, don’t approach these. They could still have an electrical charge running through them and will be very dangerous. Keep other people, especially children, away from fallen power lines and report the problem to the relevant authorities as soon as possible.

If you’re driving and notice that wires from a fallen power line are spread over the road, don’t drive over these. Stop and call the authorities as the cables may electrocute you.

Tioga Contractors, Electrical Service

If you live in the area and are looking for an electrical service to repair your home’s electrical system and appliances after a storm, don’t hesitate to contact Tioga Contractors. The company is available for all types of electrical service including, installation, maintenance, and repair and can also provide an emergency electrical service.

Photo By EasyBuy4u at istock

The integrity of your home’s electrical system is important. If your electrical system is not working efficiently then you may need to seriously consider hiring a professional electrical service professional to inspect and repair your system. Tioga Contractors can help you prevent electrical problems from occurring in your residential or commercial property. Inefficient electrical installation, old, worn-out materials, and poorly designed electrical systems can result in a waste of money and energy.

If you live in an older home with an old electrical system, it may be beneficial to completely replace certain components of your electrical system to prevent some very common electrical system errors and mistakes.

Lighting

Lighting is tricky to get right. Lighting requires an experienced and knowledgeable hand to install. A reputable electrical service professional would also be able to consult and make suggestions for lighting solutions that will help save you money and energy, while also being aesthetically pleasing.

Lighting in the Wrong Areas

If your lights aren’t placed in the right areas, the room can be poorly lit in one area and too bright in another. Depending on its design, a room may need different lights strategically placed in the right areas. If you have a design in mind and are not sure how to execute it, consulting with an electrical professional can be very helpful for deciding on how to proceed and install your new lights.

Unusual or Unappealing

If you don’t like the lighting that already exists or have an unusual set of lights you shouldn’t suffer. Contact an electrical service company to help you remove them and install new ones. Replacing a light is a simple task with the help of an electrician.

Non-Existent Dimmers

A house without dimmers is a shame. Dimmers help set the mood but most importantly help you adjust the lighting in your home to help suit the time of day. Having a dimmer can help you waste less energy by utilizing it to turn the lights down or off when it’s bright enough outside. Turning the light down to a lower brightness can help reduce electrical waste. It also helps while watching movies and TV, or when you have to get up in the middle of the night. If you don’t have dimmers you can easily have them installed by an electrical professional.

Flickering Lights

Flickering lights aren’t always a serious problem. However, if your lights flicker more than a few seconds then you may have a serious problem on your hands. Older homes tend to have lights that flicker when you first flip the switch to the on position. This is perfectly normal. Older home’s electrical systems tend to become worn out and faulty. They are bound to be malfunctioning in an older home. If you are experiencing this kind of flickering you should have an electrical service company inspect your systems to determine the exact cause of the flickering. The electrical professional you hire should be able to determine the cause and make suggestions on how to repair or replace the wiring to stop any further system failures.

If your lights begin flickering uncontrollably or at random intervals, you may have a serious electrical issue on your hand. This may indicate a shortened or frayed circuit. A frayed circuit must be addressed as soon as possible. This can be a potentially serious and property damaging problem. To address this correctly you need to hire a professional, local, reputable electrical service company. If you live in or around the Hurst, TX, area. Contact Tioga Contractor for all of your emergency electrical needs.

Frequent Power Surges

Do you experience frequent power surges? If you do, make an appointment for a professional electrical system inspection right away. Power surges do happen; however, they should not be happening often. Normal and unexpected causes of a power surge could be a lightning strike or high wattage device. If the reason for a power surge is either of those causes then you may need to adjust the way you use the device and refrain from using electricity in lighting storms.

The reason for frequent power surges is often faulty or improperly installed wiring. This can happen when a non-professional electrician works on your electrical systems. Electrical systems are powerful and intricate systems that need an experienced and knowledgeable technician. Other reasons for frequent surges include power line issues or utility company equipment; if this is the cause then contact your utility company right away.

To be on the safe side, contact a local electrical service company to perform routine electrical system checks on your property. This will help keep everything running smoothly, efficiently, and up to code.

Lag in Power

If your electrical systems lag or dip in wattage from time to time, it may indicate an issue with your circuits. It may also indicate faulty electrical components present in your system. If your electrical system constantly or frequently dips in power, something could be blocking or slowing the connection to the outlet or device. If you experience this often, you will need to hire an electrical service professional. Do not continue using the electrical outlet or appliance that exhibits this malfunction. If you continue using it, you could be making the already existing problem worse.

Circuit Breaker Tripping Often

If your circuit breaker is constantly tripping you have a good and bad problem on your hands. The good news is your circuit breaker is working the way it was intended to. The bad news is something keeps causing your circuit breaker to trip. Your circuit breaker will trip when too many watts of electricity is being fed through the circuit. The circuit was built to adjust to a certain amount of wattage. If the electrical power goes over that allotted amount the circuit will trip to prevent circuit overload. Contact an electrician if you notice your circuit breaker is constantly tripping.

If you notice any electrical failures, mistakes, or malfunctions you should contact an electrical professional right away. A professional and trusted electrical service company can help you rearrange, repair, and improve your electrical systems by inspecting and correcting them. If you live in or around Hurst, TX, contact Tioga Contractors for competent and professional electrical service.