DIY projects are great but there’s a bit of a misconception going around. Some people think that electrical repairs fit into the same category as painting or other home improvement projects, but that can be a dangerous way of thinking.
Electrical work is in a different category of a lot of home projects, particularly because of how dangerous it can be and also because of how important the final product is. You don’t want that new thousand-dollar phone or TV being shorted out or destroyed due to faulty wiring, right?
In that case, you should definitely call an electrician in Cedar Falls, IA. Only a licensed electrician will be able to handle the job that you have in mind, for as little a price as possible. And, don’t forget the fact that an electrician can handle this kind of work quickly so there’s less time spent patching your wall or trying to flip light switches to test things out.
Wiring
If you’re planning on adding a series of wires to your home or your electrical panel, then you might want to hold off from doing any work yourself. It sounds like an easy job, in theory, but no home’s electrical system looks the same.
There’s a lot of science behind electrical currents, and that’s not even mentioning the safety procedures that are required for each job. Wiring can be fast and easy, but only if you’re a licensed and well-trained electrician, like the ones on our team.
Lighting
Lighting jobs can be deceptively easy. Installing sconces on your wall, a set of track lights, or even just a simple ceiling lamp might sound like a one-and-done job with some wires, screws, and gloves. But it’s way more complicated than that.
Lights need to be wired to a switch properly and safely, and they even need to be hooked into the power grid correctly. You might find old knob and tube wires while you’re working that are live and unsafe. There are a lot of unknowns, which is why a professional electrician will be your best friend in this situation.
Digging
Most types of digging are fine for homeowners to do. For instance, if you want to set up that new garden or fence this spring, then we’re fully supportive of that! However, there are some things you need to take into consideration, or at least call a licensed electrician to discuss.
Many power lines run underground. This can mostly be alleviated by calling 8-11 DIG, which is a free phone call that allows city utility and power companies to mark your property for any gas or electric lines. The one problem with this is that they can’t mark the lines they don’t know about, which might be your own private lines on the property.
A power line might run between your home and your garage or shed, and nobody else is going to be able to tell you about it. A licensed electrician, however, will be able to do a quick inspection and let you know where you shouldn’t dig. In this case, instead of digging a live series of wires underground, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Falls area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.