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5 Common Electrical Issues Found During Home Inspections in 2025
The electrical issues are common in all homes. They remain unseen unless there are sparks, tripped breakers, burning smells, or the homeowners often have to go to get the electric appliances repaired.
People are likely to have home inspections while buying or selling homes. In 2025, the inspections we have conducted so far have led us to list some common electrical issues in homes.
It’s the era of living in smart homes. Electrical issues that can compromise the energy efficiency of a home can be a reason for discomfort for the residents. That’s why these issues are among the top concerns today.
5 Common Electrical Issues Found in Home Inspections
The electrical system needs to be updated according to the home’s requirements. The electrical circuits that are neither inspected nor maintained can lead to the following issues:
1. Outdated Electrical Panels
Our home inspectors have found the most common issue to be outdated electrical panels in the homes. The older homes have insufficient electrical systems that can’t meet the high demand of appliances, electronics, HVAC systems, and smart home devices.
2. Improper Wiring
These days, many people love to do DIY renovations. Usually, they end up with improperly installed wiring in their homes. They can have a list of problems due to a lack of experience. The issues there can be of reversed polarity, or spliced wires without a junction box.
Such scenarios can lead to serious fire hazards in the home. The U.S. Fire Administration states that electrical appliances are one of the major causes of home fires.
The home inspectors have also revealed that in the attics of many homes, they have found spliced wires held together with tape without any protective casing. This needs immediate correction to reduce the risks of fire.
3. Overloaded Circuit
Adding new appliances and electrical outlets to an existing circuit can make it overloaded. Thus, the homes may exceed the safe load limits on the circuits.
This can lead to tripping of the circuit breaker and a constant buzzing sound from the electrical panel. Such overloaded structures are more vulnerable to catching fire. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, Home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year.
4. Lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are used to prevent electrical shocks in areas with high moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or near dishwashers. Many homes lack the essential GFCIs, and there is no other system to prevent electrical shocks.
While assessing electrical issues in a home inspection, the inspector looks for GFCIs in all required areas. If they are not available, the area is not safe for electrical appliances.
5. Electrical System Without Earthing
Earthing or grounding makes the electrical system of a home safe. Earthing provides a direct path to electrical current so it can dissipate into the earth when there is an incident of electrical fault or short circuit. If the earthing is missing, there is a chance of electric shock or damage to the electrical appliances.
Even in 2025, there are homes that lack proper earthing to ground the excessive charge and reduce the risk of electric shock.
Signs That Indicate Electrical Issues Around You
Minor issues with the electrical system can lead to major risks, so it’s better to know about the crucial signs related to faults in the electrical system. There are some basic signs that indicate that there is something wrong with the electrical system in your home. Such signs are:
- Burning smell from electrical outlets or switches
- Frequently tripping circuit breakers
- Light flickering when more appliances are on
- Sparking while plugging in an appliance
Electrical issues often start from minor signs. They can be fixed easily at the initial stage without having a major loss.
What Do You Do If You Detect an Electrical Issue In Your Home?
Electrical issues can lead to hazardous situations, even fires. To avoid potential damage, it is essential to act with a safety-first approach when you detect an issue with the electrical system:
Shut off the Affected Circuit
If you suspect that a circuit is causing the problem, such as a buzzing sound or sparking, it is better to shut the affected circuit off. If the situation worsens, it is recommended that you don’t touch the circuit.
Call Experts for Help
Never try to fix an electrical problem by yourself. It can be dangerous for you to deal with it. If the issue is persistent, it is better to call an electrician to fix it. But if you want an evaluation of the issue that has disturbed the electrical system of your home, you should call a certified home inspector. The inspector can assess the problem and advise if a specialist is needed to fix it.
Conclusion
With advanced technology and the concept of smart homes, the use of electricity has increased. The electrical circuits now need to be in perfect condition to meet the requirements.
Faulty wiring or any component of the electrical circuit can become a reason for a mishap. The basic electrical issues can be detected in regular home inspections.
It is better to get the home inspected with GreenWorks Inspections to avoid potential electrical problems and to fix them appropriately.
