Need electrical outlet repair or installation? Have no fear, the pro electricians at ARS/Rescue Rooter are here. Whether you have a bad outlet that doesn't work or can't hold a plug, or you found that your kitchen counter is one plug short of accommodating your new blender, we are here to help.
ARS/Rescue Rooter Is the Preferred Source for Electrical Outlet Service
We’re proud of the reputation we’ve earned for being the source homeowners rely on for an electrician to fix broken outlet systems. Read on for details about our services and capabilities.
Electrical outlet repair
Plenty of things can go wrong with your electrical outlets, some trivial and some serious. Common electrical outlet problems include:
- Unable to hold a plug or plugs feel loose
- Don't work at all or don't provide enough juice
- Are warm, vibrating, burnt, or making sounds
- Are loose or move when you plug something in
- Excess sparking when you plug something in
Some electrical outlet issues are relatively minor and just signs of aging like being unable to hold a plug, but some are very serious indicators of a dangerous problem. If your outlet is making sounds, popping, smells funny, or is warm or burnt, then it's likely a problem with a live electrical wire touching something it shouldn't. This can lead to painful (even fatal) electric shocks or house fires.
If you suspect your outlet is broken, turn off the circuit breaker switch to that outlet and call a professional electrician like those at ARS/Rescue Rooter immediately.
Electrical outlet installation
Whether you need new outlets installed in an older home to accommodate the ever-increasing number of electronics in your home, or you need a new GFCI outlet in your kitchen or bathroom, the electricians at ARS/Rescue Rooter have you covered.
Upgrade to grounded outlets
A common issue in older homes (built before 1962) is the presence of two-pronged outlets. These outlets are called "ungrounded" outlets, and the lack of third prong hole means the outlet isn't grounded. You can buy two-prong adapters for a few bucks at your local hardware store, but this is hardly an ideal solution, a band-aid on a larger wound. A grounded outlet has a third prong that grounds the electricity from your device or appliance that can help protect from sudden surges in your home's electrical system. Without this protection, you can be at risk for shocks or even electrical fires.
GFCI outlet installation
Anywhere moisture collects in your home like your bathroom, it's required that outlets are GFCI which stands for "ground fault circuit interrupter." You can recognize these outlets by their two buttons between the top and bottom plugs, often one red button and one black button (though they may be white). They are required by law in new construction and definitely worth installing in older homes as well.
GFCI outlets have a fast-acting sensor that can detect if electricity connected to the outlet takes an unintended step to ground, which may be you or something you're touching. If you are that unintended step to ground, you will experience a painful or even deadly electric shock. Water is a common conductor of live electric charge between something in your bathroom and your body. That's why GFCI outlets are required by law in often wet places like your home's bathroom, garage, basement, or near kitchen sinks.
Standard outlets installation
Few things are more annoying than running out of space to charge your electronic devices, or being unable to find a place on your kitchen counter to plug in your new kitchen gadget. Don't let your house's initial design dictate where you can put that new lamp, or that you can't wall-mount your television. If you find that more things in your home require electricity than your home was designed to handle, you should consider calling your local ARS/Rescue Rooter electrician to install a new outlet with safety and your needs as our priority.
Electrical Outlet FAQs
Many homeowners prioritize upgrading their electrical outlets when they start a home improvement project. But it’s not always obvious what kinds of products and tools to use or how to do the work safely.
You might not even be sure about how to get started with electric outlet repair. No worries! The ARS/Rescue Rooter team frequently gets calls from homeowners about such issues. With that in mind, here are our responses to some of the most frequently asked questions concerning electrical outlet repairs and upgrades.
What should a homeowner do if an electrical outlet begins giving off sparks?
It is a scary experience to see sparks flying out of an electrical outlet! This is a dangerous situation, potentially leading to a fire or even death by electrocution. Turn off devices and unplug them as soon as you notice the problem. Then, contact ARS/Rescue Rooter to book an appointment for electrical outlet installation services.
What can homeowners do to keep electrical outlets from breaking?
You have several ways to keep your home’s electrical outlets from breaking. First, make an appointment to have one of our expert electricians come to your house to inspect all the outlets and replace any that are on the verge of failing. Do this every couple of years for the best results.
In between visits from ARS/Rescue Rooter, make a point of unplugging appliances or any devices when you are not using them. This avoids damage from power surges. Finally, remind your family not to plug too many items into a single outlet because this can lead to a dangerous overload. Make electrical safety a priority in your household.
What are the main reasons an electrical outlet will fail?
Your home’s electrical outlets can break for a variety of reasons. For example, someone might inadvertently drive a nail into an outlet during home upgrades or repairs. Sometimes outlets are damaged from water infiltration after a pipe leak. Electrical outlets are also prone to breaking during power surges.
Sometimes the problem isn’t with the outlet itself, but with wiring that has come loose. Whatever the cause, a professional electrician from ARS/Rescue Rooter will discover the root of the problem and devise a customized plan to fix or replace your outlet.
What are my options for installing electrical outlets?
Essentially, you have a choice of the older, three-pronged outlets, which are commonly seen in people’s homes still, outlet strips if you have a large number of devices to plug in, or the more advanced ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, which offer better safety to protect your family and your property against electrical shocks. If you’re unsure what’s best for your dwelling, an ARS/Rescue Rooter electrician will advise you on the best options for electrical outlet installation.
In older homes, what kind of electrical outlets do you typically see?
Generally, older homes tend to have standard three-pronged outlets. But houses constructed before 1950 often only have two-pronged outlets. These older ones are not as safe as the units currently on the market. What’s more, they usually will not work with modern electronic devices. Contact ARS/Rescue Rooter if you need help identifying the type of outlets you have and what condition they are in.
When should we have a professional electrician inspect our home’s outlets?
Remember, as a rule of thumb, it’s best to have an expert electrician from ARS/Rescue Rooter visit your home once every couple of years to inspect all of the outlets and replace any on the verge of failing.
But don’t wait for the next inspection to call on us for service if you spot something wrong. If you are experiencing problems such as power surges, sparking, loose wiring, or anything else out of the ordinary, it’s a good idea to contact us today for assistance. We’ll send an electrician for the broken outlet service as soon as possible.
What are the benefits of hiring professionals to upgrade or install outlets?
From a safety standpoint, taking on a task like this as an untrained amateur is never a good idea. In addition, homeowners do not want to attempt do-it-yourself projects when live electricity lines are involved.
It’s best to hire professional electricians from ARS/Rescue Rooter, so you will have the peace of mind of knowing experts are doing the work safely and thoroughly. Our certified electricians are experienced and have the insight and training to safely upgrade and install electrical outlets. In addition, we follow industry best practices and ensure that our work at your home will adhere to current building codes.
What does it cost to fix a broken outlet?
An electrician from ARS/Rescue Rooter will need to check your system before giving you an estimate for the cost of repairing your broken electrical outlet. Cosmetic fixes, such as swapping out the cover of an outlet, are often tasks easily accomplished by homeowners without needing a professional. But for more involved repair jobs, such as repairing loose wires, an expert will have to assess to give a price quote.
How do you estimate the cost of upgrading electrical outlets?
There is no single, one-size-fits-all answer for upgrading a home’s outlets. You might be looking for an electrician to upgrade a single outlet with a GFCI unit in a home office to safeguard computers and other electronics, for example. The amount will depend on how many outlets you are installing or upgrading, and there will be additional fees if we need to install more wiring to connect the upgraded system. We will be happy to provide you with a professional estimate. Just give us a call to get started.
Why should I upgrade my home’s electrical outlets?
If you’ve determined that it’s time to put your house up for sale, the chances are that local building codes have changed since the construction time. As a result, you might need to upgrade the outlets to bring them up to code. In addition, the age of your home can be a factor. Houses over two decades old typically have outlets that are not up to the task of powering modern devices and appliances. Furthermore, outlets tend to become worn out as they age, leading to a potential fire hazard.
What is the potential for danger when an electrical outlet starts malfunctioning?
When an electrical outlet is not functioning properly, a host of issues can develop that threaten the safety of your family and property. Any device or large appliance plugged into a malfunctioning electrical outlet could become damaged beyond repair. But there are even more severe risks. For example, you can anticipate fire, power surges, and even the risk of death by electricity (called electrocution) when there are broken outlets.
What are the benefits of calling ARS/Rescue Rooter instead of taking care of outlet repairs on my own?
While it’s admirable when homeowners want to take care of repairs by themselves, this is generally not a good idea. If you lack training and certification, you can worsen the problem. It’s simply not safe to work with electrical outlets if you don’t have years of experience in the industry.
You may not have the necessary tools and parts to finish the job. In contrast, our professionals carry all that we need in our service vehicles, so there will be no delays running to a hardware shop midway through the job. In addition, amateur homeowners don’t typically know what’s wrong with an outlet and then determine the best approach for fixing it or upgrading it. We are prepared to meet any situation with problematic electrical outlets and ensure that the work will be up to code.
