If your rental property has electrical issues like flickering lights, non-functioning outlets, or circuit breakers that trip often, you might wonder how to fix them.
While ensuring safety and considering a licensed electrician for major issues is important, there are troubleshooting steps you can take for common electrical problems. By checking tripped circuit breakers, testing outlets, and inspecting light fixtures, you can better diagnose the problem and decide on the next steps.
Visual Inspection
If an appliance, lamp, or electrical device stops functioning, initially inspect the outlet and cord for any signs of damage. Now and then, a power outlet may fail and go dead. You might see visible damage, such as discoloration. In the same way, check all plugs and cords for any breaks, fraying, or damage. When the outlet or cord shows damage, it’s probably time to replace them.
Try a Different Outlet
If the outlet and power cord are in good condition, the next step is to plug your lamp or device into a different outlet. It’s important to find out if the outlet or the electrical item is the source of the issue. If your device works when plugged into a different outlet (preferably in another room), then the outlet is the main issue.
Reset the GFCI
A common reason an outlet stops working is due to it being connected to a tripped GFCI outlet. Most outlets have a reset button. If you don’t see it, the reset button is on another outlet in that circuit.
The reset button for the circuit is on a GFCI outlet, typically in the bathroom or kitchen, but occasionally in places like the garage or laundry room. You may have to search for it, but once found, resetting a GFCI outlet is an easy fix for a dead outlet.
Check the Breaker Panel
Occasionally, the problem lies not with the outlets but with a bad circuit breaker. You can often locate the bad breaker by examining your home’s electrical panel. Many breaker boxes have clearly labeled circuits, showing which areas of the house they serve. If this applies, simply turning the breaker off and then back on can often fix the problem. There are cases where the breaker itself is faulty or has a loose connection. If this is the situation, the breaker must be replaced.
Call Your Landlord
Regardless of the electrical issue you encounter, make sure to contact your landlord and inform them of the problem and your troubleshooting efforts. Should these issues arise frequently, they might indicate more substantial electrical problems.
When troubleshooting doesn’t fix the non-working outlets, your landlord must call a professional electrician. Either way, effective communication with your Raleigh property manager is essential for quickly resolving electrical problems.
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