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5 Signs You Need to Hire an Electrician in Washington DC

Electrician service Bethesda MD

electrician doing a repair

5 Signs You Need to Hire an Electrician in Washington DC

Your Washington DC household runs on electricity: From work, play, and education to health, comfort, and communication, you need safe, reliable electric service. So when electrical issues occur, you need a licensed electrician in Washington DC.

Electricity should never be taken lightly. Hundreds of people die and thousands more are injured in electrical accidents every year. Electrical fires cause even greater loss of life, injuries, and property damage. When you see these five signs of electrical issues in your home, rely on professional electrical contractors to keep you safe and keep the lights on.

1. Repeated Tripped Circuits

The circuit breaker is the central controller that delivers electricity throughout your home. Circuit breakers also serve as the key safety feature to shut down electricity when there’s a problem. Surges and strains to the electrical systems cause the circuit breaker to “trip,” cutting power to some or even all of the electric outlets and fixtures in your home.

2. Damage to Electrical Fixtures

When you see signs of damage to the electrical system, call an electrician right away! Damaged or melted wires and hot outlets let you know you need help fast. Rodents and other vermin like to chew on electrical wiring, so if you find yourself fighting off an infestation, you should also call an electrician in Washington DC to assess the damage.

3. Flickering Lights and Brownouts

When your lights or electrical equipment flicker or dim, it could mean different things, but none of them are good. Loose or shorting wires interrupt the flow of electricity to an area, causing flickers or low power.

Another common electrical issue happens when you plug too many electrical items into the same circuit. It takes a set voltage to power certain appliances and technology, so if too many things pull power at once, or the outlet is not rated for the appliance’s needs, the draw overstrains the outlet.

If you are using extension cords and power strips to force more items onto limited outlets, get an electrician to install more.

4. Bad Smells

If you smell burning, melted plastic or harsh, irritating fumes with no source in sight, the threat might be coming from inside the walls. For your health and safety, call an electrician immediately.

5. Buzzing, Shocks, and Sparks

When you hear, see, or feel electricity through buzzing noises, small shocks, sparks or any other evidence that concerns you, call an electrician to evaluate the situation and perform repairs.

Contact a Trusted DC Electrician

Your safety comes first, so act at the first sign of an electrical concern. Get a licensed, certified, and insured professional whenever electrical problems strike. Electrical repairs always require an electrical license and insurance. Call Handyman at Your Command at 301-556-3948 whenever you need an electrician in Washington DC.

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How to Prevent Plumbing Problems in Your Washington DC Home

How to Prevent Plumbing Problems in Your Washington DC Home

Due to the variety of homes and apartment buildings and the density of the population, plumbing in Washington DC can be complicated. Save yourself the hassle of a plumbing disaster with these tips.

Skip the DIY

Do-it-yourself projects seem like a great way to save money and fix up your space, but leave the plumbing to the experts. Not only does plumbing in Washington DC require specific tools and know-how, but plumbing contractors have insurance! The smallest mistake in your plumbing project could cause costly damage, so save money by getting a licensed plumber to do it right.

Take Care of Your Drains

The phrase goes “everything BUT the kitchen sink,” not everything IN it. Oils, coffee grounds, eggshells, and other kitchen waste should never go down the drain. Hot oils cool quickly to form fatty clogs, and coffee grounds form dense, stubborn clumps. If you use a garbage disposal in your sink, avoid grinding fibrous materials and eggshells, and run lots of cold water to carry away the things you do grind.

Use screens in your showers and sinks to keep out debris, and regularly flush drains regularly with hot water to keep them clear, particularly low-volume areas that might gather debris. Also, never flush anything that doesn’t dissolve down the toilet or drain. Throw hair and other sanitary products in the garbage.

Protect Exposed Pipes

Don’t let anything bang or push against exposed pipes, including the pipes under the sink. The pipes inside sink cabinets sustain damage from items you store there. Taking steps to protect your exposed pipes saves the sink!

Skip Damaging Chemicals

Toilet cleaners make a lot of claims, promising to save you effort and keep your toilets fresh. But leaving chemicals in your toilet degrades the fixtures and corrodes your plumbing over time.

Store-bought drain cleaners may say they strip buildup and force out clogs, but they rarely work very well and can corrode plumbing and cause pipe failure.

Look After the Details

Pay attention to your water meter, water heater, washer hoses, water fixtures, and line connections that provide a fresh supply of water. Stay alert for the first sign of a problem, like discolored water, noisy pipes, or dripping sounds, and get a licensed plumber to do maintenance and repairs before disaster strikes. 

If you don’t know the date of your last pipe cleaning, or the state of your water heater, call a licensed plumber to get it checked. 

Dealing with a Plumbing Issue in DC? Call Handyman at Your Command

Washingtonians thrive on challenge, but plumbing problems pose a challenge nobody wants to deal with.

Make Handyman at Your Command your trusted local service for plumbing in Washington DC. Call 301-556-3948 to make an appointment with a trusted DC plumber.