Electrical Repairs Near Me

1) There are times when our homes are struck by disaster.

1.0.1) Fire, flood or structural problems.

When this happens, it can wreak havoc on the electrical system in our homes. 

You may need the services of an electrician in order to put right any damage to your electrical wiring or home electrical system. 

When you need “ELECTRICAL REPAIRS NEAR ME” rest assured that we are here to help. We carry out a lot of insurance related works on behalf of insurers and for private customers. We are able to report on the damage, quote for repairs and produce all required safety certification following any remedial works. 

2) What work needs to be carried after a disaster?

Following some kind of trauma to an electrical wiring system it is advisable to have a full and thorough periodic electrical inspection carried out by a suitably qualified professional. This in-depth test and inspection of your home electrical system will detail any issues that are dangerous, potentially dangerous or not in compliance with the current edition of the electrical wiring regulations. From this a detailed report will be produced called an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). 

This is a technical document that will outline any repairs that need to be carried out. An EICR will sometimes be issued along with a quote for remedial works. It is not always possible to simply visually inspect a wiring system and produce a quote for works as this will not show any hidden faults or internal damage to cabling. 

3) Can the wiring system be saved after trauma?

There are many instances where the wiring system can be repaired or saved after suffering trauma. This, of course, depends on a number of factors such as:

• The age of the wiring system
• Its current condition
• The damage that has been caused, and
• The expected repair costs

Sometimes damage to a wiring system will be so extensive that it is economically more sensible to rewire the property instead of attempting a large and costly repair. Minor damage to a wiring system can usually be repaired. If there has been a house fire then, depending on the extent of that, it will often be the case that heat has damaged the internal insulation of the cabling and this needs to be replaced. 

Water can also cause permanent problems with wiring. Excessive water penetration can leave residues of salts and minerals behind which can be conductive, can degrade cable insulation and adversely affect the cabling such that it may need to be replaced. Testing of the electrical installation can give some idea as to any potential damage that has occurred so long as previous test results were available and accurate. 

4) I have broken sockets and switches; can these be replaced?

Yes, if you need “ELECTRICAL REPAIRS NEAR ME” and this involves replacing switches and sockets then this is something that is normally relatively straightforward to carry out. There are always exceptions to this for example if you currently have chunky white sockets but require slimline flush mounted steel type sockets then this may not be possible due to the room required behind the accessory for the terminals and wiring. If you have a normal on/off light switch and require a dimmer in place of this then this is often not possible without further work as the box that holds a light switch is often too shallow to receive a dimmer switch with its bulky transformer and workings. 

Straight swaps of broken accessories “like for like” are nearly always possible. The important thing is to find an electrician that you can trust and ask for their honest opinion regarding your electrical repairs. A good electrician will not try to force you in either direction but will explain your options and any pitfalls likely to occur with different ways of carrying out your repair project. For example, flat switches and sockets look lovely but can often require costly adaptive works behind the accessory, will not sit right if a wall is poorly plastered and may require wires extending as well as work to the walls. Nearly everything is possible but it will always come down to costs and budget.

The photograph shows a damaged wiring system prior to repair

5) Can damaged wires be repaired?

When a cable has become damaged there are a number of options for repairing the problem. Cables themselves are better replaced than repaired if possible, depending upon the location and accessibility. For example, a crushed cable in a loft that is easily accessible is easier to replace than repair. A new section can simply be joined in safely using the correct methods in line with the wiring regulations. 

A damaged cable in the wall may need more of a repair than a replacement. Jointing, soldering, crimping, taping, heat shrinking using correct products and methods can be an effective repair and often economically more sensible than opening up a ceiling to replace the entire length of cable from point A to point B. 

6) Can a damaged fuse board be repaired?

Often not unfortunately. This greatly depends on the age of the unit and the parts availability. Consumer units / fuse board are not often replaced in domestic settings and manufacturers regularly go out of business and change their product designs such that parts can be difficult or impossible to come by.

If the case of a consumer unit is cracked or broken then the manufacturer can be contacted to attempt to obtain a replacement, if a circuit breaker is burnt, broken or otherwise damaged and the consumer unit is old then often it means a replacement consumer unit may be necessary. 

7) Can you repair light fittings or appliances?

Generally, we do not repair light fittings, electrical accessories or appliances. Appliance repair should be left to appliance repair businesses and is not generally the business of electricians. Damaged light fittings are best replaced with new as a failed repair can disappoint and provide no guarantee of safety. Electrical plug sockets that have become damaged are also best replaced rather than a repair attempted. These items tend be relatively low cost to supply and install and attempting repair is likely to cost at least the same if not more. 

If you need “ELECTRICAL REPAIRS NEAR ME” then get in touch using our contact form on the website or give us a call. We can undertake fault diagnosis and repairs to wiring systems in your home and if anything else needs putting right we may know of someone who could help.