We often forget how important it can be to call an electrician if a problem arises with a home’s electrical system. In fact, most homeowners are complacent that their wiring system is just fine and needs no care or maintenance. More often than not, the only time a licensed electrician is called to a house when something is going wrong. It’s important to understand how to recognize when you may need to be preemptive about electrical problems and subtle signs that your electrical system needs maintenance or repairs. Keep an eye out for the following issues that could arise, indicating a bigger electrical problem in your home.

If you’re a fan of power strips, that’s not necessarily a problem right away. The problem happens when you start to overload a specific circuit in your home. Attaching a power strip and then packing it full of energy-heavy devices can quickly cause circuit breakers to flip. In addition to that risk, they can quickly become a fire risk when used inappropriately. Opt for power strips with surge protectors and be careful concerning how much you plug into them. If you need more outlet availability in a space, that’s when you need to call a local electrician.

While the rugs themselves aren’t a sign of electrical problems, the wires and cords run under them are. More and more people are adapting older homes to their current needs, leaving exposed cords and cables throughout the house. You don’t need to run them under carpet and rugs. In fact, that can be a tripping hazard. An electrician can quickly run wires and cables through the walls to get the cables out of sight and out of mind.

If you own an older home, you may have noticed how your outlets don’t look quite like outlets in newer homes. For a long time, two prong outlets were the standard. No many appliances use a three prong plug style in order to provide a ground for the electricity. Don’t be someone who just cuts the third prong off of their appliances or bends it back to make it fit in the two prong outlet; upgrade your outlets instead. Properly grounded outlets can reduce the risk of electrical fires and other risks due to electricity.

It’s important to regularly check your home’s main service panel. Regular visual checks and professional checks by an electrician can help to prolong the life of the panel and help avert any problems from improper care. When you visually inspect the panel, check for any signs of problems, including potential rust. If your panel is rusting, it’s time to have an electrician install a new one for safety and performance.

If you’ve ever turned on a light switch and found that the plate was warm to the touch, then you should call an electrician. Points where power is utilized in the wall should never be warm, and definitely not hot. It’s a sign of a bigger electrical problem that could be a safety hazard.

This Valentine’s day, show your partner how deep your love runs for him or her by cleaning all the neglected kitchen appliances! Chocolates, flowers, and jewelry are nice too, don’t get us wrong. It’s just that serious cleaning says a lot about how much a person cares. By tackling these uncharted territories, not only will the love your partner has for you grow, you may even rekindle the love you once had for your home. That’s a whole lot of love going around.

Can you remember the last time you cleaned the inside of your refrigerator or behind it? It isn’t the easy appliance to maneuver around, so it’s likely that you haven’t cleaned behind it since you moved in. To clean your refrigerator, first pull it out so that you can mop up the dirt, debris, and gunk that’s been left behind. Then, vacuum the coils, which are located either behind or beneath your refrigerator.

All refrigerators are equipped with door gaskets to prevent cold air from escaping. If you have loose gaskets, read through your owner’s manual to find out the replacement part numbers. Your local hardware store should have gaskets in stock.

Make the outside of your fridge sparkle with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. If you have a stainless steel fridge, rub in the direction using either a paper towel or a soft wash cloth.

Now that the outside of your fridge looks brand new, it’s time to tackle the other not-so fun part, which is the inside. Clean all shelves and crispers. Perhaps you can use this time to throw away all your expired foods and beverages that you forgot existed.

Even if you have the luxury of owning a self-cleaning oven, some work is still required on your part. Using a solution of equal parts water and vinegar, wipe down the door hinges and frames. You can tackle the particularly rough spots with a some baking soda and a sponge.

How to Clean Your Stovetop:

Soak your burners with hot, soapy water for a few hours, and then scrub. The drop plate may be the dirtiest component of your stove. Before your scrub this area, use a vacuum to get out all the accumulated gunk.

To loosen up all the baked-on foods in your microwave, fill a microwave-safe container with water and heat it until it boils. Wait a few minutes before opening the door so that the steam can do its job; then wipe.

We know how counter-intuitive this sounds, but trust us – it’s a task that needs to be done! Your dishwasher works day in and day out to clean your dishes; it’s only a matter of time before all the gunk accumulates.

If your planning to cook dinner for your partner this Valentine’s Day, he or she will notice how sparkling-clean the plates are!

Before your home fills up with guests visiting for the holidays, you will probably want to spruce up a bit and get ready for a house full of people. Anytime you have a lot of people in a small space, even if you have a big home, things can get a little stuffy. One way you can combat the stuffiness while adding a touch of elegance is with a ceiling fan or two. Your Glendale electrician can take care of the installation for you and make sure your home is airy and comfortable for you and your guests. At The Electric Connection, we know how important it is to leave your home the way we found it and will make sure the installation is complete as well as safe.

Ceiling fans are not just for cosmetic purposes. They are a very useful tool in keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer as well as providing that needed breeze when things are a little stuffy. An electrician in Glendale can explain how the direction the fan turns factors into the heating and cooling needs of your home. Basically, the fan pushes the hot air that rises to the ceiling in the winter and pulls the hot air from the room in the summer by switching the direction of the blades.

Don’t be deterred by vaulted or cathedral ceilings. There are fans that can be connected to an extension bar to lower the fan. No, you won’t need to pull out a ladder when you want to turn the fan speed up or down or the light on. Many ceiling fans are equipped with remote controls or have the capability of having a remote sensor installed by an electrician. Glendale homeowners will love the new look of their ceiling fan as well as the way it makes the whole house feel. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your ceiling fan installation.

Dark spaces can be trouble for many different reasons. If you are trying to navigate a dark space, like your back yard or the outer areas of your landscaping, you risk suffering an injury because you can’t see. Dark spaces also tend to invite unwanted critters. Animals big and small will appreciate the darkness so they can skulk around without being detected. You also have to worry about people who may vandalize or burglarize your home, outdoor furniture and décor or even your cars under the cloak of darkness. It is a good idea to invest in landscape lighting that completely lights up the entire area. An electrician in Pasadena can make that happen for you. The team at The Electric Connection knows how important it is to keep your home secure and can get you set up with the right lighting.

When you have a Pasadena electrician install landscape lighting, you are not limited by an extension cord. You also don’t have to worry about whether or not a solar light is going to get enough sunlight in particularly shaded areas of the landscaping. With the proper lighting scheme, you can light up every corner of the yard, including under bushy shrubs and full shade trees. You don’t have to leave any area in the dark.

In fact, you can create a lighting scheme that enhances the property and doesn’t give it that sterile look. Add soft lighting or pretty colors to act as an effective security measure, while making the landscaping look gorgeous, even in the dead of night. This kind of job needs to be handled by an electrician. Pasadena residents will love the freedom of putting lights anywhere and the ability to control when they come off and on. Give The Electric Connection a call today and get your landscape lighting installed.