Seattle is a beautiful place to live, surrounded by equal parts stunning scenery and a vibrant city life boasting plenty of top-tier restaurants and breweries. However, with most properties built in 1973 or earlier, the Emerald City faces unique risks when it comes to its electrical safety.
While it’s recommended to get an electrical inspection once every three to five years, homes over 25 years old should get them more frequently, every two to three years, to ensure issues like outdated wiring don’t pose safety threats.
At Farmers Electric Design & Construction, we’re committed to ensuring optimal electrical safety for homes in Seattle and the surrounding area. In this blog post, our expert electricians discuss the importance of routine inspections and the risks of skipping out on this essential service.
The Risks of Skipping Electrical Inspections
Neglecting an electrical inspection for your home can have significant consequences, especially in Seattle, where outdated wiring is a common issue. Risks of skipping electrical inspections include:
- Electrical fires: Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and aging electrical components are leading causes of house and business fires. An inspection helps identify risks before they get worse.
- Power outages and malfunctions: Unchecked electrical systems can lead to sudden outages, disrupting business operations or home comfort.
- Code violations: Electrical codes are updated regularly to enhance safety. If your system doesn’t satisfy current standards, it could result in fines or problems when selling your property.
- Shock hazards: Damaged wiring, faulty outlets, and improper grounding increase the risk of electrical shocks, which can cause serious injury or even be fatal.
Routine inspections can help identify these issues early, allowing you to address them before they become dangerous or expensive to fix.
How Often Should You Have an Electrical Inspection?
It’s recommended to get an electrical inspection every three to five years; however, since many homes throughout Seattle are older, these should be inspected more regularly, every two to three years. You may also need an electrical inspection sooner if you’re planning to sell your home or have added new appliances, expanded your space, or made electrical upgrades.
For Seattle business owners, electrical inspection frequency is different. Commercial properties should aim to schedule annual inspections, especially if they use high-power equipment or rely heavily on electrical systems for operations. Industrial facilities should have quarterly or biannual inspections due to their complex power demands and high risk of wear and tear.
Benefits of Preventative Electrical Maintenance
Adhering to a routine electrical inspection schedule has many advantages, including:
- Reduced repairs: Identifying small problems before they get worse can prevent expensive emergency repairs or full system replacements.
- Improved safety: A well-maintained electrical system reduces the risks of fire, shock, and system failures.
- Increased efficiency: Inspections can uncover inefficiencies, such as outdated wiring or overloaded circuits, optimizing energy efficiency.
- Code compliance: Regular inspections keep your property compliant with local electrical codes and regulations.
- Reduced stress: Knowing your electrical system is in top condition gives you ultimate peace of mind.
Choose Farmers Electric for Electrical Inspections
Electrical safety isn’t something to take lightly, and Farmers Electric understands the importance of ensuring your property remains in top condition. Whether you need a routine checkup, an inspection after renovations, or a safety assessment for an older property, our team has the expertise to ensure your electrical system is safe and up to code.
Schedule an electrical inspection in Seattle by contacting our team online to get started.
