The Ultimate Guide to Electrical Safety Inspections in Minneapolis-St. Paul

In our modern world, so much of our day-to-day activities rely on electrical access. But while electricity provides contemporary convenience, homeowners still need to exercise caution when it comes to electrical safety in their residences.

Each year, approximately 51,000 electrical fires cause $1.3 billion in property damage, according to Electrical Safety Foundation International. Homes built before 1960 are at even greater risk for experiencing an electrical fire, as many of these structures rely on fuses to deliver power across your home’s appliances and devices. With 65% of Minneapolis-St. Paul’s homes having been built before 1960, it’s crucial that homeowners in the region conduct routine electrical safety inspections to ensure their risk is reduced.

What is an Electrical Safety Inspection & Why is it Important?

An electrical safety inspection is exactly that: a whole-home, comprehensive assessment of your electrical safety. Conducted by a certified electrician, each of your home’s electrical devices will be thoroughly inspected to spot faulty equipment and detect potential hazards prior to escalation. In addition to ensuring full functionality, your electrician should check to ensure all of your essential equipment is up to date and capable of providing the safety measures required for your home.

Not only important for ensuring safety in your home, an electrical safety inspection can also help you regain confidence in your home’s power supply. Especially if you frequently experience tripped circuits, flickering lights, or power surges, an electrical safety inspection can help identify opportunities for optimization that will eliminate these issues from your daily life.

Homeowners should schedule an electrical safety inspection if their home is older than 20 years, and especially if their home was built before 1960. Homes built before this time may have electrical panels with fuses to control and limit the power traveling through each individual circuit. If a circuit demands more power than it’s rated for, the fuse will blow and will need replacement. The “blown” fuse can sometimes result in a spark or melted fuse, easily leading to an electrical fire and catastrophic damage to your home. If your electrical panel is older than 20 years, your home was built before 1960, or you experience frequent electrical malfunctions in your home, it’s a good idea to call in a professional electrician to conduct a safety inspection.

What to Expect During a Minneapolis-St. Paul Electrical Safety Inspection

During your safety inspection, an electrician will test all outlets and switches in your home to ensure correct operation. In addition to outlets and switches, your safety inspection should also observe the following:

• Extension Cords: Excessive use of extension cords can be a huge safety issue, especially if extension cords are used as a long-term solution for insufficient outlet availability.
• GFCIs & AFCIs: Your GFCIs and AFCIs should be tested every 30 days to ensure your bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and garages have sufficient, reliable, and safe power supply.
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors: 65% of home fire deaths are a result of malfunctioning smoke detectors, and a broken carbon monoxide detector can prevent homeowners from knowing when their home has been infiltrated by the colorless, odorless, poisonous gas.
• Electrical Panel: Your electrician should inspect your panel for issues with frequently tripped circuit breakers, blown fuses, and the label with the date of its last service.

At the end of your electrical safety inspection, your electrician will fill out an electrical inspection report that is emailed to you for your records. Following your initial safety inspection, it’s recommended that homeowners complete the process again every six months to ensure the utmost safety. When you’re in need of an expert electrician for a whole-home safety inspection, the team at Genz-Ryan Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning has the skilled professionals you need to get the job done right.

Genz-Ryan for Minneapolis-St. Paul’s Electrical Safety Needs

Genz-Ryan proudly delivers exceptional electrical services to Minneapolis-St. Paul homes. Our skilled electricians have the experience and tools necessary to ensure your home is outfitted with the safest, most reliable electrical access available. We’ll fully inspect each aspect of your home’s electrical system to identify any faulty equipment or potential fire hazards to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

Contact us today at (612) 223-6158 to schedule an electrical safety inspection for your Minneapolis-St. Paul home!