Category Archives: Wiring

When your home’s electrical system experiences an emergency, the first instinct for many homeowners is to reach for a toolbox and attempt a DIY repair. Although DIY strategies may appear to be the most affordable and fastest, do not attempt to handle an electrical emergency. At Elcolem, we have witnessed how makeshift electrical work in times of crisis can easily lead to peril.

The Hidden Risks of DIY Electrical Repairs

Electrical systems are complex, and even minor issues can have severe consequences. Here is why you should never try DIY repairs when there’s an emergency:

Risk of Electric Shock: Be also aware of the risk of electrical shock when working with live wires without the proper tools and training, as it can be highly hazardous.

Fire Hazards: Improperly fixing broken wires or overloaded circuits can start fires. In fact, electrical issues are one of the leading causes of house fires.

Worsening the Problem: You are not an expert, so you may misdiagnose it. What might begin as a minor issue may turn into expensive damage.

Code Violations and Insurance Issues: Inadequate repairs may not even meet safety standards. This can void your insurance if there’s a fire or if property is damaged.

Lack of Proper Equipment: Specialized tools and testing devices are essential components of a skilled emergency electrician’s toolkit, which a homeowner typically lacks. Without them, you’re working blind.

Why Call a Professional Emergency Electrician?
Instead of putting your safety in danger, you can have a certified emergency electrician from Elcolem fix the problem:

• You need to troubleshoot and repair it ASAP.
• Make sure that everything is up to code.
• Restore power safety without further danger.
• Be available at all hours when critical.

Final Thoughts
You should never treat an electrical emergency as a DIY project. The dangers are too great. When you call Elcolem’s emergency electricians, you ensure that your home, family, and property are protected from potential hazards.

When it comes to owning a home, few things are more often overlooked — and yet more potentially hazardous — than outdated electrical wiring. However, many older homes in Ontario and across Canada still rely on electrical systems installed decades ago — a time when few people had multiple charging devices or large appliances that drew power steadily throughout the day and night. At Elcolem, we’re experts at finding and fixing the silent dangers of older wiring so that you can protect your family, your property, and your peace of mind.

Why Old Wiring Is a Serious Safety Concern

Knob and tube wiring and aluminum wiring are also standard in older homes and quite dangerous:

Risk of Fire: Deteriorating insulating material, bare wires, and loose connections pose a high risk of electrical fires.

Power Failures: Older grids struggle to manage current energy loads, resulting in blown fuses or tripped breakers.

Electrical Shock: Worn or improperly grounded wires can lead to electric shock — even from regular wall sockets.

Insurance: Many insurance providers will not cover homes with outdated wiring unless it has been updated.

Common Warning Signs of Unsafe Wiring

When you see any of the following signs at your own home, hire a professional, licensed electrician:

• Power surges or lights that flicker often
• A burning smell or discolored outlets
• Familiar hums in your switches or receptacles
• Chances are you’re tripping circuit breakers or blowing fuses a lot
• Two-prong (ungrounded) outlets
• Warm or vibrating wall plates

And they’re not just little irritations — they’re red flags that your electrical system may be in trouble.

Types of Outdated Wiring to Watch For

Knob-and-Tube Wiring: Found in homes constructed before the 1950s, this set-up doesn’t have a grounding wire, and it’s unable to manage the electrical load of modern appliances. It’s also more susceptible to insulation breakdown and overheating.

Aluminum Wiring: Common in the 1960s and ’70s, aluminum wires can expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate, exacerbating loose connections, a leading contributor to the risk of arcing and fire.

Ungrounded Wiring: Without grounding, there’s nowhere for extra electricity in your system to go. This leaves you open to shock and damage to electronics.

Why Professional Inspection Matters

At Elcolem, our certified electricians conduct comprehensive home electrical inspections to:

Identify outdated or unsafe wiring

Test circuit loads and grounding

Provide up-gradient opportunities for code compliance

Bring your home up to the current safety code

Whether you’re purchasing an older home or currently living in one, a thorough inspection can help you head off disaster before it strikes and boost your confidence in your electrical system.

Upgrade for Safety and Peace of Mind

Updating the wiring in your house is not just a matter of safety, but it’s also about ensuring that your system works well when you need it to work the most. Swapping copper wiring, adding grounded outlets, and changing the breaker panel are all significant steps toward futureproofing your home.

Count on Elcolem for Professional and Trusted Electrical Services

You don’t have to wait for a warning sign to respond. If your home is over 30 years old and hasn’t undergone an electrical inspection in the past few years, contact Elcolem today! Our licensed experts are here to ensure your home’s wiring is safe, functioning correctly, and up to code.

Call now or book your inspection online – your safety is our priority.