A frayed refrigerator plug can easily be classified as a very serious risk, both to the fridge itself, and to your entire home. Frayed, ripped, or otherwise damaged cords are a potential source of electrical fire, arcing and power failure. So, what do you do when you discover a frayed plug on your appliances?

Put simply, get it repaired! Often, replacements are available, but are very costly, and occasionally entirely unavailable depending on the age and model of your fridge.

We never endorse “Do It Yourself” solutions to any electrical issues, as electricity is fickle and extremely dangerous. A wrong move can cost you more than a busted appliance, it can cost you your health (or some serious money in fire damage repair to your home). Leave electrical work to Kolb Electric electricians! That said, we do believe in informed consumers, and thus have detailed our professional process for frayed or damaged plug repair.

Too often we encounter electrical incidents at home that could have been avoided with proper precaution and a timely replacement or repair. Don’t allow your home to harbor risks by leaving damaged plugs alone! Leaving damage untreated can lead to:

To address frayed, or damaged plugs we:

Be ready for any eventuality with our electrical repair services! Contact our experts today to learn more about our electrical services, or to schedule an appointment.

Citing the 98% school-to-work success rate at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, State Representative Jerry Knowles in Pennsylvania pushed his fellow legislators this week to consider a funding package to support additional trade and technical schools. Across the country and to the North, Governor Sean Parnell addressed the need for more programs in technical training, to create skilled electricians and plumbers in Alaska, to keep students in-state and create hirable graduates.

These states are the latest to join Ohio, Georgia and even the National government in their efforts to increase funding to vocational education programs. Many legislators point to the need for skilled workers in the labor market and hope to increase access to the training and technical education.

States are also hoping to increase funding to legitimize technical schools as well, eliminating for-profit institutions that are in the business of making money. They want to make sure electricians, plumbers, and other technical workers can graduate with reputable education and experience.

With unemployment among graduates of traditional education so high, the value given to a Bachelors over a technical program is being questioned by educators and legislators. Students of technical programs face a different employment future. The fields are highly recruited and sometimes offer apprenticeships as part of training. Moreover, the last of those trained in the last push for vocational education decades ago are retiring, and there is a large opening for professionals who have trained through technical schools.

Take for instance, electrical workers and engineers. The number of electricians set to retire in the next ten years will greatly improve employment opportunities for new graduates of technical programs. Additionally, when the population increases and more construction occurs to accommodate that population, more electricians are needed in the market. States are seeking to ensure that they have trained electricians, as well as engineers, surveyors and construction professionals, to fulfill that growing demand.

Since 1989 approximately 1 billion feet of CSST gas line or yellow gas line has been installed.  Nearby lighting strikes can cause an electrical surge and puncture the CSST line.  Bonding is considered electrical work and should only be performed by a qualified electrician.

In new construction we bond all gas lines.  Currently about 500,000 new homes per year have CSST gas line installed in them.  However, CSST gas line is considered safe when properly installed in your home.  Part of the installed properly guidelines refers to bonding your CSST gas line, your local electrician can do this for you.  If your home is more than two years old we recommended you have a licensed electrician check for proper gas line bonding.  Many real estate transactions and inspections require the CSST line to be bonded prior to the sale.   A good source of information on CSST lines can be found at CSSTSafety.com.

“CSST should NOT be confused with flexible gas appliance connectors – the product that joins a moveable appliance to your home or building’s gas supply line. The difference is flexible connectors attach directly to the moveable appliance from the wall or floor. CSST is usually routed beneath, through and alongside floor joists in your basement, inside interior wall cavities and on top of ceiling joists in attic spaces.” CSST Safety.com

If you would like more information or to check to see if your CSST line is properly bonded please feel free to Contact us anytime!  We bond CSST gas lines in the Des Moines area and surrounding communities.