When Should I Replace My Outlets?

Just like anything else in your home, your outlets can experience wear and tear over the years. At a certain point, you might consider replacing them. 

If you’ve lived in your house for a long time or even moved into an older house, it can be hard to tell when you should replace your outlets. 

An electrical handyman can help you figure out the best time to replace your outlets, but there are a few things to look out for. 

What are the signs that an outlet needs replaced? 

An easy way to tell if your outlet needs replaced is to take a look at it. If your outlet’s shape is warped or damaged, cracked or discolored, you should look into replacing the outlet sooner rather than later. If your outlet sparks when you plug something into it, you should call an electrical handyman immediately to look into replacing it. 

Why should I replace outlets? 

As our world continues to grow around us, so do our needs. As outlets get older, they might not be able to withstand the voltage required. 

If your outlet is older (think over five years) or you experience a lot of electrical problems, that also might be a sign that you need to replace your outlets. Sometimes modernizing your outlets to increase your voltage can help save you problems down the road. 

You also should make sure that all of your outlets are grounded. Outlets in bathrooms or kitchens should be GCFI outlets that will power themselves off if something isn’t right. 

Not sure what outlets to replace? 

You should always have any electrical work done in your home by a professional electrical handyman. Reach out to Handyman Connection today to have someone help you decide which outlets in your home would benefit from replacement.