In the DFW area, your electrical system gets a workout from sunup to sundown. Add the heavy cooling requirements of Fort Worth summers, the aging electrical infrastructure in certain DFW neighborhoods, and the high power draw of contemporary appliances and you have a recipe for problems and expensive repairs.
Spotting the telltale signs of electrical problems and fixing them early can save you money and keep your family safe.
Flickering Lights or Lights That Grow Dim
If a light goes out or dims when your refrigerator or A/C unit is turned on, this is a common occurrence, particularly in older homes. However, if multiple lights flicker, grow dim, or both, you may be experiencing a short or loose connection in an outlet, a problem at the electrical panel, or an overloaded circuit.
Many older homes in the DFW area are not equipped to handle modern electrical loads. Licensed electricians in Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie and nearby cities can locate the cause of the problem and perform necessary repairs on the affected circuit.
Circuit Breakers That Trip Frequently
Tripping a circuit breaker protects your property and its occupants, but constantly resetting the same breaker after a trip indicates an issue. Your home may be suffering from an overloaded circuit, a short circuit or a ground fault or even a worn-out circuit breaker.
A licensed electrician will find the source of the problem and determine whether you require only a repair, the addition of a new circuit, or an electrical panel upgrade.
What You Should Not Do
Never tape the circuit breaker in its "on" position to prevent it from tripping. You are disabling a safety feature that can cause a dangerous fire hazard. Instead, if a circuit breaker consistently trips, contact a qualified electrician immediately.
Burning or Smoky Odors, Warm Outlets, or Brown or Black Markings
If you smell a burning or melting plastic odor near an electrical outlet, switch or the electrical panel, treat it as a household emergency. If possible, turn off the electrical power to the circuit in question and call an emergency electrician right away.
When an outlet or electrical switch feels warm to the touch or displays brown or black burn marks on its face, the issue usually involves high heat caused by a loose electrical connection. Unattended electrical fires start at these types of points in the home, and the damage they cause is extensive.
Outlets That Fail to Operate or Do Not Sit Securely
Non-working electrical outlets may signify a loose wire, poor wiring connection or other hidden problem with your home's electrical system. This may indicate an earlier symptom of wiring degradation in older homes with aluminum wiring or non-grounded (two-pronged) outlets, particularly.
Loose outlets are another potential issue. Electrical outlets can develop damaged contact points, resulting in high heat caused by electrical arcing. Replacing loose electrical outlets can resolve the issue, particularly when the wiring behind the electrical outlet can also be inspected.
Two-Pronged Electrical Outlets and the Absence of GFCI Protection
You probably have seen older electrical outlets without a third grounding plug. Two-pronged outlets are common in older homes, where the wiring was not installed to support grounded (three-prong) outlets or modern appliances, and electrical hazards increase when outlets lack a grounding wire. A two-prong electrical outlet provides a direct path to the ground when it fails to operate, which significantly increases the shock hazard for the user.
Many older homes lack the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoor living areas of modern homes. GFCI-equipped outlets are designed to shut off power when an electrical fault is detected in order to prevent dangerous shocks. A licensed electrician in Fort Worth, Southlake and surrounding cities can install these electrical outlets in areas of your home that lack them, when the existing electrical wiring allows for a GFCI installation.
Older Homes and Aging Electrical Wiring
Homes built prior to 1980 or so may not meet modern safety standards. Older homes in and near Fort Worth may contain aluminum wiring or even knob-and-tube wiring, in addition to wiring that uses cotton insulation rather than the modern plastic variety.
Aluminum wiring, in particular, is cause for concern. Aluminum expands and contracts in different ways than copper, so its connections can loosen over time. This creates additional heat and can significantly increase the risk of electrical fires. A professional inspection will let you know if your system needs special repair or rewiring.
Electrical Repair Cost in Fort Worth: The Average
Standard repairs usually fall within these costs. You can expect to pay $150-$400 for most common issues, such as dead outlets and tripping breakers. Repairs can be more expensive depending on the job. You can expect to pay $500-$1,500 for a new circuit, damaged wiring replacement, or a replacement of a few outlets.
Panel upgrades or rewiring your whole home cost varies based on house size and project scope. With us, at KSI Electric, each quote details the work to be done, why, and how much it will cost.
When Do You Need an Electrician to Come Out Immediately?
If your experience any of the following, you'll need a licensed electrician to come to your home to address the situation immediately:
- You smell smoke or burning when you plug something in or turn on an appliance
- Your electrical panel is buzzing, hot, or looks like it's been scorched
- Your electrical panel smells like plastic or burning
- You feel mild tingling when you touch an appliance or switch
- A large portion of your house has lost power and resetting a breaker doesn't turn it back on
Do not try to address the issue yourself. If you can, turn off power in the house before you call an electrician.
KSI Electric can respond to your emergency immediately and will be with you as soon as possible. We offer 24/7 emergency electrical service in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
Why Get a Licensed Electrician for My Electrical Problem?
Electrical repairs are not a do-it-yourself (DIY) job. In Texas, electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician as outlined by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR). Unlicensed or DIY electrical work may not pass a home inspection or cause problems with your home insurance.
KSI Electric has been serving our Fort Worth neighbors since 1995. We are a licensed and insured electrician. We will arrive on time, tell you what the problem is and what we'll do to fix it, then do it right and make sure you understand exactly what we've done with a final walkthrough.
Electrical Repairs
Problems with your home's electrical system don't just go away by themselves. Whether it's flickering light bulbs, repeatedly tripping breakers, outdated outlets, or burning smell, getting your home's electrical system fixed sooner, rather than later, protects your home and the people living in it.
If you live in Fort Worth, Arlington, Southlake, Grand Prairie, or anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, please call KSI Electric at (817) 932-5882 for a free, no-pressure quote. You can expect to hear from us within one business hour.
We are also available 24/7 for emergency service. Or you may click ksiresidentialelectric.com to schedule an inspection.
Your Electric Repair Questions Answered
How will I know if I have electrical problems?
Flickering lights, tripping breakers, warm, discolored, or burnt smelling outlets and switches, buzzing sounds, etc. are all indications that you may have an electrical issue. These problems typically start off small and get worse over time. Getting a qualified electrician to inspect your home's wiring can help to identify problems before they cause significant damage to your home or personal injury.
When should I call an electrician instead of fixing it myself?
Any repairs to or replacement of outlets, switches, junction boxes, wiring, or panel work should be done by an electrician. Homeowners can safely change light bulbs or reset a tripped breaker. But, any other electrical repairs should be done by an electrician.
How much does an electrician cost in Fort Worth?
Most basic electrical repairs will cost $150-$400, whereas more complicated projects like a new circuit or wiring repair will cost $500-$1,500+. Larger projects like panel upgrades or rewiring a whole home is dependent on the size of the house and project scope. We provide free, no-pressure quotes prior to beginning work at KSI Electric.