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. Following these steps, such as checking tripped circuit breakers, testing outlets, and inspecting light fixtures, can help you understand the issue and decide how to proceed.
Visual Inspection
If an appliance, lamp, or electrical device fails, begin by examining the outlet and cord for damage. Power outlets can occasionally fail and become inactive. You may notice visible signs of damage, such as discoloration. Likewise, check all plugs and cords for any breaks, fraying, or other damage. If the outlet or cord is damaged, it’s likely time to replace them.
Try a Different Outlet
If the outlet and power cord are in good condition, the next step is to plug your lamp or device into a different outlet. It’s important to find out if the outlet or the electrical item is the source of the issue. If your device works in a different outlet (especially in another room), it means the outlet is the main issue.
Reset the GFCI
A common reason an outlet stops working is due to it being connected to a tripped GFCI outlet. Most outlets feature a reset button. If you can’t find it, another outlet in the circuit will have the reset button.
The circuit’s reset button is on a GFCI outlet, usually found in the bathroom or kitchen but sometimes in places like the garage or laundry room. It might take some searching, but once found, resetting a GFCI outlet is a simple fix for a dead outlet.
Check the Breaker Panel
At times, the problem isn’t the outlets but a malfunctioning circuit breaker. Frequently, you can spot the faulty breaker by looking at your home’s electrical panel. Many breaker boxes have clear labels showing which circuits correspond to which parts of the house. If so, flipping the breaker off and back on can often fix the problem. Other times, the breaker might be faulty or have a loose connection. If this is the situation, the breaker must be replaced.
Call Your Landlord
Regardless of the electrical issue you encounter, make sure to contact your landlord and inform them of the problem and your troubleshooting efforts. Frequent occurrences of these issues may indicate more serious electrical problems.
If troubleshooting doesn’t solve the non-working outlets, your landlord should bring in a professional electrician. Regardless, maintaining good communication with your Issaquah property manager ensures swift resolution of electrical issues.
Considering trading your current rental home for one maintained year-round by qualified professionals? Discover your new home with Real Property Management Eclipse! Please browse our listings or call us at 425-209-0252 today!
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.
