When facing electrical issues in your rental property, such as flickering lights, outlets that don’t work, or often-tripping circuit breakers, you may seek ways to resolve them.
Although it’s vital to prioritize safety and think about hiring a licensed electrician for major issues, you can still attempt some troubleshooting for common electrical problems. By following steps like checking tripped circuit breakers, testing outlets, and inspecting light fixtures, you can gain a better understanding of the issue and make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Visual Inspection
If an appliance, lamp, or electrical device stops functioning, initially inspect the outlet and cord for any signs of damage. At times, a power outlet may malfunction and become nonfunctional. Damage might be visible, such as discoloration. In the same way, check all plugs and cords for any breaks, fraying, or damage. If there is damage to the outlet or cord, it’s probably time for a replacement.
Try a Different Outlet
If the outlet and power cord look okay, the next thing to do is plug your lamp or device into another outlet. It’s crucial to identify whether the outlet or the electrical item is causing the problem. If plugging your device into a different outlet (especially in another room) makes it work, the outlet is the main problem.
Reset the GFCI
One frequent cause of an outlet ceasing to work is its connection to a GFCI outlet that has tripped. The majority of outlets come with a reset button. If you can’t find it, look for the reset button 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
Sometimes, the issue is not with the outlets but with a defective circuit breaker. Often, you can find the faulty breaker by inspecting your home’s electrical panel. Many breaker boxes have clearly labeled circuits, showing which areas of the house they serve. When this is the case, turning the breaker off and on again can often solve the issue. In some instances, the breaker may be faulty or have a loose connection. If this is the case, the breaker will need replacing.
Call Your Landlord
Whatever type of electrical problem you face, ensure you call your landlord and explain the issue and what you’ve done to troubleshoot it. If these issues occur often, it might signal more serious electrical problems.
If troubleshooting doesn’t fix the non-working outlets, your landlord should call a professional electrician. Regardless, maintaining good communication with your Troy property manager ensures swift resolution of electrical issues.
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Originally published: April 2, 2021
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