24 Jan Is It an Emergency? When to Call a 24 Hour Electrician

Electrical emergencies don’t care about the time of day or whether it’s a weekend. They just happen, and when they do, you need a reliable solution fast.

Brotherly Love Electric, your emergency electrician in Houston, is here to help you 24/7. Let’s walk through the ins and outs of recognizing an electrical emergency and why getting professional help quickly can be crucial.

10 Common Electrical Issues and Their Implications

Electrical issues can walk a fine line between being inconveniences and posing serious risks. But are they always emergencies?

If you’re hesitating about deciding whether or not you should call in a professional to fix the problem immediately, it’s important to understand which electrical situations can wait a bit – and which are urgent.

Let go over ten common electrical problems, breaking down their potential implications and risks, and whether or not it’s time to call in a 24 hour electrician.

1. Power Outages: Emergency if it’s localized to your property and not due to a known utility company issue. This could indicate a serious problem within your home’s electrical system. These disruptions, caused by external factors like severe weather or internal issues such as a tripped circuit breaker, can affect residential comfort and business operations. The absence of power impacts heating, cooling, and essential appliances, necessitating a swift response.
2. Mild Humming from Large Appliances: Typically normal and not an emergency. Slight humming sounds from large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners when they’re operating can be the result of regular mechanical functions. However, if the humming is unusually loud, accompanies other electrical issues, or if the appliance is not functioning correctly, it’s advisable to have it checked. In these cases, it’s more about the appliance itself rather than an immediate electrical system emergency.
3. Short Circuits and Circuit Breaker Failures: Both are emergencies. Short circuits can cause electrical fires, and a failing breaker means your system isn’t properly protected against overloads. Short circuits, often resulting from contact between a live and a neutral wire, cause a surge that trips the breaker. Circuit breakers, on the other hand, may fail due to overloading or internal faults. These situations can lead to overheating and pose significant safety hazards.
4. Non-Essential Outlet Not Working: This might not be an emergency. If an outlet suddenly stops working, but it’s not essential to your daily activities or doesn’t affect your safety (like a garage outlet),  it could be something as simple as a tripped circuit breaker. However, if multiple outlets stop working, or if there’s any sign of heat, discoloration, or a burning smell, it’s best to consult with an emergency electrician promptly.
5. Damaged Wiring: Definitely an emergency. Damaged wiring poses a significant fire hazard and risk of electric shock. Factors like age, environmental conditions, or pests can lead to compromised wiring. The challenge with damaged wiring lies in its often concealed nature, making early detection and intervention crucial. Again, the risks here include potential fire hazards and the threat of electric shocks.
6. Burnt Outlets: This is an emergency. Indicators such as discoloration or a burnt smell around outlets point to overheating or loose connections. These not only pose fire risks but can also cause damage to plugged-in devices.
7. Frequently Tripping Breakers: This is usually an emergency. This symptom suggests an overloaded circuit and indicates that the electrical demand is surpassing the circuit’s capacity, which can cause overheating and fire risks.
8. Occasional Light Flickering: It might not be an emergency if your lights flicker only occasionally, for a second or two. This can happen due to minor power fluctuations or when a large appliance kicks on. However, if the flickering is persistent or accompanied by other issues like a burning smell or discoloration of switches, it’s time to call an electrician.
9. Constantly Flickering Lights: If it’s persistent and not linked to external factors (like storms or issues with the utility company), treat it as an emergency. It could indicate problems like voltage fluctuations, but it can also indicate more serious problems like faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. Persistent flickering should be investigated promptly to prevent potential dangers.
10. Buzzing Sounds from Breaker Boxes: Treat this as an emergency. Buzzing sounds can be early warnings of loose connections, circuit overloads, or malfunctioning breakers. Ignoring these signs can potentially lead to electrical arcing and/or fires.

As you can see, most of the items on this list can be considered emergencies, especially if they involve potential fire hazards, electric shocks, or signs of serious electrical system failures. When facing any of these issues, it’s best to contact a professional electrician promptly to ensure safety and prevent further damage or risks.

Recognizing the early signs is key – not just for keeping the lights on, but for keeping everyone safe.

Brotherly Love’s Approach to Electrical Safety

At Brotherly Love Electric, we’re not just about fixing problems; we’re about preventing them. Our approach includes:

• Regular checks to nip potential issues in the bud.
• Fast responses to any electrical SOS.
• Upgrades to keep your system in top shape.
• Smart backup and safety measures, like standby power generators and surge protectors, to keep surprises at bay.

Always Here, Always Ready

We get it – emergencies don’t clock out. That’s why we’re on call 24/7 in the Greater Houston area. Whether it’s a suspicious buzzing sound or a total power outage, we’re just a call away, any time of day.

Remember, when it comes to electrical issues, it’s always better to be safe and call in the experts. Stay safe out there, and don’t hesitate to give us a shout when you need us!