Skip to Content

Troubleshooting Electrical Issues

Electrician working on electrical components in a new house.
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.

Considering trading your current rental home for one maintained year-round by qualified professionals? Get your new home with Real Property Management Metro Detroit! Please browse our listings or call us at 248-808-6550 today!

 

Originally published: April 2, 2021

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details