The Importance of Electrical Safety

When it comes to homes and home decor, people tend to fall within one of two camps – traditional or contemporary. If you are a traditionalist and on the lookout for a new home, you may well have an eye on a period property that has plenty of personality and charm. Yet do you know what lies beneath the surface, that unchecked electrical wiring could compromise not only your investment in such a property, but also the health and safety of all the occupants? What questions do you need to ask yourself, before you move ahead?

Upgrading Infrastructure

Much will depend on whether previous occupants of this building have carried out any significant upgrades since it was initially built. A home with many decades of history may be very attractive to you, but it still needs to be brought up to modern day standards in terms of its infrastructure.

Dealing with Demand

In particular, you will have to have a look at the electricity supply and closely inspect the wiring that hides behind those walls. Remember that the original installation will have been meant for previous generations, who had much simpler needs and would not require as much energy to power their appliances. If you move in and start plugging everything into an old system, it will quickly overload and could cause a devastating fire.

The Passage of Time

A home that has not been the subject of an electrical upgrade can pose significant dangers as over time, electrical wiring and circuits will lose their efficiency. Furthermore, the home may not have any of the modern-day safety precautions stipulated by government regulators for new property construction and this could pose a serious fire hazard.

What about Insurance?

When you move into a home, you will have to insure the building and all its contents as a matter of course, but your insurance company may well be interested in the safety of their investment. However, if they don't ask questions and you don't take steps to upgrade the wiring professionally, they may not pay out in the event of a significant claim due to an electrical fire. At the very least, you're likely to face some awkward questions if you're unlucky enough to find yourself in this position.

Uncovering the Truth

Before you move any closer to buying this property, bring in a qualified electrician to give you their professional opinion. You may have to factor in the cost of a complete reinstallation to your buying costs.