10 Signs You Need an Electrician for Urgent Electrical Repairs

Home 10 Signs You Need an Electrician for Urgent Electrical Repairs

Wondering if you need urgent electrical repairs in Melbourne? You’re not alone. Every day, electricians are called in to handle all sorts of emergencies and serious issues. In these situations, there’s no doubt that knowing when to call an electrician is arguably the most important step of all.

To help out, we’ve compiled a quick list of 10 signs you need an electrician for urgent repairs.

1. Power outage

Losing power at home is disruptive at the best of times. If the street is still lit and neighbours’ houses are running as normal, the problem is probably isolated within your property.

While it changes from case to case, faults inside the home are typically linked to overloaded circuits, damaged wiring or switchboard failures. Of course, Melbourne’s unpredictable weather also plays a role. Sudden storms and strong winds have the potential to bring down power lines, while heavy rain and lightning sometimes leave individual properties cut off from supply.

A qualified electrician will be able to identify whether the fault lies within your home or if it’s a network issue. Importantly, they can also check for hazards caused by fallen branches or water ingress. Restoring power safely and promptly means you don’t risk further damage.

2. Electric shocks

A sudden jolt from a switch or an appliance is never normal. Even if the shock feels relatively minor, what it actually shows is that electricity is somehow escaping from areas where it should be contained. Sometimes, moisture is another common culprit, especially in older homes where the wiring may have deteriorated.

Trust us when we say this isn’t an issue you want to ignore. Ultimately, it will only leave you more exposed to electrocution or electrical fires, neither of which we’d wish on anyone. Fortunately, an electrician can test the circuits, check the grounding, and pinpoint exactly where the leak is occurring. Avoid touching the switch or outlet again until the issue is resolved.

Experienced an electric shock or another issue requiring urgent attention? Let Day & Night Electrical come to the rescue. The next time you need emergency electricians in Clayton, Epping, Footscray, or anywhere across the city, we’ve got your back!

3. Faulty smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are nonnegotiable. Under current Victorian regulations, all homes must have working smoke alarms positioned correctly and within their service life. Here is an official statement from Consumer Affairs Victoria, “All Victorian homes must have smoke alarms. Rental providers must make sure that smoke alarms are properly installed and working.” (Source)

This is particularly important knowledge for landlords, and there are strict obligations in place to ensure that rental properties are both safe and compliant. A beeping alarm that won’t stop, an alarm that doesn’t respond when tested or one that’s more than ten years old are all issues that require urgent attention.

Smoke alarm inspections are very common, and it’s easy to organise one in your local service area. During this inspection, a licensed electrician can confirm whether or not your alarm is wired correctly, replace faulty units, and make sure that the batteries are good to go. It’s a small job that carries big weight.

4. Outdated switchboards

Switchboards are the heart of a home’s electrical system. If yours still runs on ceramic fuses, it’s well past its safe working life. These boards were never designed for today’s load of appliances, chargers, air conditioning units and entertainment systems.

Much like smoke alarms, switchboards are also subject to our state’s electrical safety rental minimum standard requirements. In large part, these rules are enforced because outdated boards are more likely to trip, overheat or spark. Victorian guidelines also recommend upgrading to modern boards with safety switches (RCDs) to protect against shocks and fire.

If your lights flicker when you use large appliances, or you find yourself constantly resetting fuses, it’s a strong sign your switchboard is struggling, and it’s time to give us a call to arrange your switchboard upgrades.

If your switchboard is outdated or struggling with modern electrical loads, call an experienced electrician in Yarraville, Sandringham, Taylors Hill, Taylors Lakes, or Truganina for a safe upgrade.

5. Unusual smells

A faint burning or metallic smell coming from a switch or outlet should set alarm bells ringing. Why? Essentially, it’s often a clear signal that wires are overheating or insulation is breaking down.

Plastic smells are another common warning sign, and they usually point to melting sockets or overloaded power boards. These problems tend to escalate quite quickly, and many electrical fires begin this way.

So, if you ever notice an odd odour, turn off the affected circuit at the switchboard and call an electrician immediately. Getting it checked early can and will prevent major damage.

6. Flickering lights

A single flickering globe is usually harmless. But if lights across your home dim, brighten or flicker without warning, it’s worth paying attention.

So, what’s at play here? It could either be a symptom of loose wiring, a failing switchboard or circuits that are carrying more than they can handle. In older properties, it’s sometimes caused by wiring that hasn’t been updated in decades.

Once on site, an electrician can test the system, tighten or replace faulty connections, and restore stable lighting. It’s a small comfort to know the cause is fixed, not just a bandaid solution of changing a couple of bulbs.

7. Visible sparks

Sparks from a power point, switchboard or appliance are always a red flag. This is another circumstance that must be taken very seriously. Remember, they have the potential to ignite nearby flammable material, and this is a situation where waiting is not an option.

Sparks may be the result of frayed wires, faulty outlets, overloaded circuits, or another underlying issue. Regardless of the actual cause, you’ll always want to call in a licensed electrician to get it checked out as soon as possible. If possible, switch off the circuit, though we do recommend playing it safe!

8. Water damage

It could be a burst pipe, a leaking roof or heavy flooding from a sudden storm, but in any case, water and electricity are a dangerous mix. Even after the water is cleared, moisture can still remain in walls or ceilings, then corrode your wiring.

Here are some signs to keep an eye out for; frequent circuit trips, damp smells near outlets or visible water stains close to switches. Using power in the affected area can also be extremely risky.

A licensed professional will be able to inspect the property for any hidden damage, test circuits for safety, and finally, carry out repairs as needed. These checks are especially important after major storms, which Melbourne is no stranger to.

Need to get your property assessed for water damage? Call and connect with us to find an experienced electrical contractor in Melbourne.

9. Electric hot water issues

If your hot water system runs on electricity, a sudden failure might not be the tank at all but the wiring that powers it.

Faulty thermostats, heating elements and connections can all leave you without hot water. Inconsistent temperatures or unusual noises from the system are also warning signs.

An electrician can determine whether the problem is in the system itself or the electrical supply. Either way, prompt repairs will save you the discomfort of cold showers and prevent further damage.

10. Smart home failures

With smart lighting, heating, security and entertainment systems, smart homes are becoming more and more popular. Despite all the benefits, an unfortunate byproduct of this is that electrical faults can now lock you out of essential features. This goes for Alexa, Google, or any of the other major brands.

Other than issues with apps or the tech itself, a smart home system that suddenly stops responding tends to happen because of wiring issues, poor circuit design or overloads. Because these systems are complex, they require an electrician who understands both the hardware and the wiring behind it.

Restoring a smart system quickly is important, particularly if it controls your heating or home security.

Call Day & Night Now for Urgent Electrical Repairs in Melbourne

In most cases, electrical emergencies strike when you least expect them, including the middle of the night. That’s where we step in. With dependable emergency electricians in the Melbourne CBD and the suburbs, we’ll guarantee a quick response and effective solutions to your electrical emergencies, any day, any time.