Top 10 Common Home Electrical Problems & How to Fix Them

Troubleshooting Home Electrical Issues: Solutions for the 10 Most Common Problems

At Root Electric, we specialize in diagnosing and resolving all types of residential electrical problems, ensuring your home’s electrical system remains safe and efficient. Here are some frequently asked questions about common electrical issues and how our Northern Virginia electricians can help.

1. Why do my circuit breakers keep tripping?

Circuit breakers are designed to trip when they detect an overload, short circuit, or ground fault to prevent electrical fires. If your breaker frequently trips, it may indicate:

• Too many appliances on one circuit
• Faulty wiring or loose connections
• A malfunctioning circuit breaker

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: Our licensed electricians will inspect your electrical panel, diagnose the cause, and provide a safe, long-term solution, whether that means redistributing the load, replacing a faulty breaker, or upgrading your panel to handle modern electrical demands.

2. Why do my lights flicker or dim unexpectedly?

Flickering lights can be caused by several issues, such as:

• Loose electrical connections
• Overloaded circuits or faulty wiring
• Power supply fluctuations from the utility company

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: We will perform a thorough inspection to pinpoint the exact cause and offer the right solution, whether it’s securing connections, rewiring a circuit, or installing a voltage regulator to stabilize power fluctuations.

3. What causes electrical outlets to stop working?

If an outlet suddenly stops working, possible causes include:

• A tripped circuit breaker
• A faulty outlet or worn-out wiring
• A tripped GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: Our electricians will troubleshoot the issue and determine if it’s a simple reset or if the wiring behind the outlet needs to be repaired or replaced to prevent potential fire hazards.

4. Is it normal for my electrical panel to make buzzing sounds?

No, electrical panels should not make buzzing or humming noises. These sounds can indicate:

• Loose connections in the panel
• A faulty or overheating breaker
• Arcing, which is a serious fire hazard

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: We provide panel inspections and upgrades to ensure your system is safe and reliable. If your panel is outdated, we can replace it with a modern, code-compliant breaker panel to enhance safety.

5. Why do I get a mild shock when touching an appliance or switch?

A mild shock is often a sign of:

• Faulty grounding
• Damaged or exposed wiring
• A short circuit in the appliance or outlet

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: Electrical shocks are serious hazards! Our electricians will test your grounding system, inspect for faulty wiring, and fix any potential shock risks to ensure your home is safe.

6. What does it mean if my outlets feel warm or have a burning smell?

Warm outlets or a burning smell can indicate a severe problem, such as:

• Overloaded circuits
• Loose wiring connections
• A failing outlet or electrical component

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: We immediately investigate these warning signs to prevent fire hazards. Whether it's replacing the outlet, rewiring the circuit, or installing AFCI breakers, we take action to protect your home.

7. Why do I have high electricity bills even when I use the same appliances?

If your electricity bill is rising unexpectedly, possible reasons include:

• Outdated or inefficient appliances
• "Phantom loads" from electronics left plugged in
• Hidden electrical issues causing power leakage

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: We perform energy audits to detect inefficiencies and recommend smart home upgrades, such as energy-efficient lighting and surge protectors, to help lower your bills.

8. How can I tell if my home’s wiring is outdated?

Signs of outdated wiring include:

• Frequent breaker trips or flickering lights
• A lack of grounded (three-prong) outlets
• Cloth-covered or aluminum wiring (common in older homes)

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: If your home is 40+ years old, we recommend an electrical inspection to assess your wiring. We provide full rewiring services to bring your system up to modern safety standards.

9. What should I do if my home loses power in only one part of the house?

If only a portion of your home loses power, it may be due to:

• A tripped circuit breaker
• A damaged electrical circuit or wiring issue
• A faulty electrical panel

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: We quickly diagnose and repair electrical faults, ensuring safe and reliable power restoration. If needed, we also offer electrical panel upgrades to prevent future outages.

10. Why does my GFCI outlet keep tripping?

A GFCI outlet trips when it detects a ground fault, which can be caused by:

• Moisture exposure or electrical leakage
• A malfunctioning appliance plugged into the circuit
• Faulty wiring within the GFCI outlet

👉 How Root Electric Can Help: We test and replace faulty GFCI outlets, inspect your circuits, and ensure proper grounding to prevent unnecessary tripping while maintaining safety.

Need Help with an Electrical Issue? Contact Root Electric Today!

At Root Electric, our family-owned and operated team has been providing expert electrical services in Northern Virginia since 1986. Whether you need troubleshooting, panel upgrades, or whole-home rewiring, we’re here to help.