Electrical Safety Inspections in Northern Virginia

Unsafe Outlets and Switches

• Damaged Outlets or Switches: Worn-out or damaged outlets and switches can pose safety risks.
• Incorrectly Installed Outlets: Outlets installed in areas where they are exposed to moisture without proper protection can be hazardous.

Inadequate Insulation

• Insulation Issues: Damaged or insufficient insulation can expose wires, leading to the risk of electrical shock and fires.

Lighting Issues

• Inadequate Lighting: Poorly lit areas can contribute to safety hazards.
• Incorrectly Installed Lighting Fixtures: Fixtures installed too close to combustible materials or inappropriately wired can pose risks.

Appliance and Equipment Concerns

• Faulty Appliances: Appliances with damaged cords or faulty components can be dangerous.
• Unsafe Use of Extension Cords: Extension cords should be used appropriately and not as permanent wiring solutions.

Electrical Panel Accessibility

• Blocked Access to Electrical Panels: Electrical panels should be easily accessible for maintenance and in case of emergencies.

Inadequate Surge Protection

• Lack of Surge Protectors: In areas prone to electrical surges, the absence of surge protection can lead to damage of electronic devices.

It's important to note that electrical inspections should be carried out by qualified professionals who are familiar with local electrical codes and safety standards. If any issues are identified during an inspection, they should be promptly addressed to ensure the safety of the electrical system and the occupants of the building.

When Should You Get an Electrical Inspection?

There’s almost never a bad time to get an electrical inspection—the more you know about your electrical equipment and the devices that depend on it, the better. Electrical and building codes are also always changing, and that means you’ll need to regularly update your system in order to ensure you stay safe and that your home won’t experience any issues if you’re planning on selling or if you’re trying to purchase home insurance.

We strongly advise getting an inspection in the following situations:

• When purchasing a new home
• Every five years after your home reaches the age of 40
• When adding a new appliance or replacing an existing one
• When your home has undergone a major renovation

What’s Covered in an Electrical Safety Inspection?

Our Northern Virginia electrical inspection services are thorough and meticulous, ensuring that no potential problem is missed and no system goes unchecked. Each inspection is different because each home has a unique electrical system. While we follow a pattern to ensure nothing is missed, we tailor our inspection to deliver personalized results.

Our inspections cover a wide range of electrical components, from the most common and basic to the most unique and individual. We even cover things that you may not anticipate!

Our inspections cover:

• Switch and wall outlet condition
• Electrical panel condition
• Function of arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI)
• Proper installation and function of ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detector testing
• Verification and testing of surge protection
• Confirmation of grounding systems
• Safety and security outdoor lighting checks
• Electrical code conformity inspections

While there are certain times where it’s extremely important to have an inspection, we strongly advise having your electrical system inspected at least once every two to three years to ensure that everything stays up to date and that no potential issues have emerged. Our electricians especially advise this if you’ve experienced any major issues, such as one particular circuit continually shutting off, rolling brown-outs, and more. There could be an issue with your system that you’re unaware of causing these symptoms.

Contact Reddick & Sons to get more information about our high-quality electrical inspections in Northern Virginia and to schedule one for your home!