During the winter months, homes are slightly more susceptible to electrical emergencies. With extra electrical capacity tied to holiday lights, along with extended use of in-home lights due to shorter days, the stress on your electrical system is definitely increased while it’s cold! That means, sadly, an increase in electricity-related incidents. Don’t fear though—with the help of your DC-area electricians at Kolb, we’ll make sure you stay safe!

Probably the most dangerous and common electrical emergency is a fire. Often, you can see if there is about to be an electrical fire in your home by looking for a smoking outlet. You know the phrase—when there’s smoke, there’s fire! If you see a smoking outlet, you know something has gone very wrong. First, and above all else, call the fire department dispatched to your home. After that, call the experts at Kolb Electric for help getting your home’s wiring back to the place where it should be. However, in the event of an electrical emergency of this stature, its best to follow these tips:

At Kolb Electric, we’re prepared to help you fix your electrical issues in the event of an emergency. If you need an electrician in the Washington, DC, Virginia, or Maryland area, contact Kolb Electric today!

In the event of an emergency, we can quickly be on the scene to help repair:

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have is the lack of bathrooms in the house. Older homes are often only built with one bathroom. In fact, there are plenty of newer homes that are only built with one bathroom as well, but at least three bedrooms. That seems to be an industry standard—three bedrooms and one bathroom. It isn’t enough for most families. Our lives are busy and we simply don’t have the time to wait our turn in the bathroom. Adding a bathroom is one of the best solutions and it will add significant value to your home, while making your life easier. An electrician in California can help you with the electrical portion, while you or your contractor completes the actual construction. The team at The Electric Connection has a professional staff that will help you fulfill your home renovation project in a timely manner.

When you choose to invest in a bathroom addition, you are getting the luxury of designing the room to your needs. You have plenty of choices to make about the size and whether or not you want it to be a full bath or simply a toilet and sink. Once you have made that decision, it will be time to start thinking about the fixtures. You will need a California electrician to take care of wiring the space with outlets and lighting.

If there is one place that needs extra outlets, it is the bathroom. Your electrician will install as many as you need and because it is the bathroom, GFCI outlets will be your best choice. This can protect against electric shock. No matter if you decide to do the construction yourself or hire a contractor, you will need a certified electrician to complete the electrical work. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your bathroom remodel.

Placing electrical safety in Manassas first is the best rule of thumb where electricity is involved. Did you know that most electrical accidents in the home happen near water? Since that’s the case, we’ll start off with that important electrical safety tip. Here’s that one and four more designed to keep you and your family safe in your Manassas home.

You and your family should always feel safe and secure in your Manassas home. In this digital age when everything from toys to tools to technology relies on electricity, electrical safety in Manassas will help keep you up and running safely.

Many homeowners know the pride and satisfaction that results from completing DIY repairs and improvements. But when it comes to electrical work, the stakes of making a rookie mistake can be high.

There are several common electrical projects that aren’t complicated or extensive, but even the simplest jobs can result in serious injury or property damage if they’re performed improperly. Before making any plans to engage in a DIY electrical project, it’s important to know the risks.

What Can Go Wrong

Electricians undergo an enormous amount of training in order to earn the licenses and certifications they need to do their work. That’s because mistakes could not only be dangerous for them, but also for anyone in the homes or buildings they’re working on. Even if you know your way around the circuit box, here’s what an electrical mishap can bring:

Hiring Electricians Saves Money

One of the most common reasons why electrical novices attempt this sort of work is to save money. But that plan can easily backfire even if no one gets hurt in the process.

Poorly performed electrical work can spark destructive fires. It can also fry circuits, destroy fixtures and even damage major appliances. When things go wrong, the cost of repairs is usually several times what it would cost to hire an electrician in the first place.

Making matters much worse, homeowners insurance companies will typically ask for confirmation that electrical work was performed by a licensed electrician before covering any damage from a related event. If your insurance carrier learns that you did the work on your own to save a few dollars, you could lose your claim or even invalidate your policy. Be sure you understand your full policy details before engaging in DIY work.

Know the Code?

When you hire an electrician, you’re not just passing the risk along to a professional -- you’re hiring someone who has knowledge you don't even realize your lacking.

Electrical work is constantly getting safer and more reliable through updates to the electrical code. Licensed electricians are required to keep up with this code as it evolves, so when you work with a professional, you can count on receiving the safest electrical work possible. When you go it alone, you may follow outdated methods because you weren’t aware of the code update.

Don’t take a chance. Your life and home are too valuable. When you need electrical work performed safely and properly, call upon your knowledgeable, licensed, local electricians.