Identifying Existing Circuits

An electrician can help identify existing circuits and make sure that your new lighting fixtures or devices won’t be too much for existing circuits to handle. It’s a terrible thing when you wake up early to get ready for work and your electric shaver or blow dryer trip the breaker box.

Installing Necessary Junction and Switch Boxes

Often, bathroom remodels will require additional junction boxes to be installed to accommodate any layout changes, including changes to switches and outlets. These boxes need to be accessible and ensure that there is enough room for electrical wiring. Additionally, it’s incredibly important that all wiring in the bathroom be grounded. The bathroom is a more humid and wet environment than other rooms in your home, so properly grounded GFCI outlets ensure you can safely plug in your devices.

Ensures Your Wiring is Up to Code

Before you start your bathroom remodel, you should get a permit from the county in which you live. You will need to have an inspection before your project is complete, making hiring a licensed, insured electrician much more important. In Sedgwick County, permits can be obtained through the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD). Once you receive your permit, licensed professionals must be used to complete the work.

A Licensed Electrician is the Wise Choice

By hiring electricians such as Raceway Electric, you can be sure that the electrical work for your bathroom remodel will be done the right way. Our team will identify existing circuits, install necessary junction and switch boxes, and ensure your electrical work is up to code. Hiring a professional for your bathroom remodel will save you time and money in the long run. Contact us today for a quote!

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Checklist for Winter Electrical Hazards

1. Check your outlets. Are they coming unscrewed or unstable? Do they work? Have you noticed any discoloration around the outlet? If you have any issues with your outlets, be sure to contact a licensed electrician like Raceway Electric to safely inspect and correct any issues.
2. Are your outlets overloaded? It’s tempting to plug in extension cords with multiple outlets, but that may not be the safest course of action. Don’t create an “octopus” of cords into your outlets and spread out your electrical usage.
3. Don’t use cords that are frayed, or with exposed wiring. Avoid the temptation to use Christmas lights that have bad cords simply because they still light up. If the cords are frayed, it’s time for new ones.
4. Be sure your home doesn’t have any leaks that could fall onto electrical outlets, wires, or paneling. If you do have a leak, seek out the help of professionals including a licensed electrician for repairs.
5. Electrical surges can destroy thousands of dollars in electronics and additional costs for professional wiring repair. Consider installing a certified surge protector in the main electrical panel to protect your home from damaging power surges.
6. Watch for signs of problems. This can include smoke from outlets, unusual smells like something is burning, or sizzling sounds from electrical outlets. Other signs include lights that won’t turn on or off anymore. These issues indicate that you should contact a licensed electrician like Raceway Electric to investigate and fix the problems.
7. While outside your home, utility poles can also cause issues in the winter if overloaded with ice. Be sure your trees are properly maintained so they are less likely to fall in severe weather and destroy electrical lines to your home. In the Wichita Metro area, contact Evergy if you have an issue.
8.  If you are leaving your home for an extended period, unplug all unnecessary appliances such as televisions, computers, toasters, etc. Only leave appliances such as the refrigerator and freezers plugged in. This reduces the risk of electrical fires and could even save money while no one is home.

Contact the insured and licensed electricians at Raceway Electric for any of your home or business electrical needs or to check your home for winter electrical hazards. Our goal is to make sure you have a safe and happy holiday season!

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Create and Practice a Fire Safety Plan during National Fire Prevention Month

When a house fire occurs, it’s hard not to panic. However, the more you practice your plan—especially with children—the more likely everyone is to stay safe in an actual emergency. Below are the steps you should take to create and practice your fire safety plan, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA).

Creating Your Fire Safety Plan

1. Determine which areas in your house are escape routes. Be sure to walk every floor of your home. If your home is on multiple floors, be sure you have ladders you can use to safely escape from a window.
2. Make sure your windows can be easily opened and if not, do what you need to get them in working order.
3. If you have small children or older adults who need assistance, make sure you plan to have someone who will assist them in case of an emergency.
4. Choose a spot outside to meet your family. This could be at your mailbox, or in a neighbor’s yard. Make sure everyone knows where to meet.
5. Make sure your house number can be seen from the street. This will help firefighters easily identify your home.
6. If you have kids, you can draw out the plan for them in addition to practicing it.

Practicing Your Fire Escape Plan

1. Practice your plan at least twice a year! Usually, Spring and Fall are the best times, around the time changes.
2. Practice your plan together as a family, and then organize a “surprise practice”. This will help your family, especially children, be better prepared in an actual emergency. Don’t scare your children, however. You can let them know there will be a practice in the middle of the night when they go to bed so they aren’t terrified when you get them up to practice or they hear the fire alarm.
3. Practice escaping from all the floors. Make sure everyone knows where an escape ladder is and how it should be used. You can practice with small children from a first-floor window.
4. Practice getting low to the ground to avoid smoke and fumes.
5. Make sure everyone can hear, and not sleep through, a fire alarm. Practice assisting them if they need it.

Lastly, any time you have electrical work performed in your home, make sure you are hiring a licensed, and insured electrician, like the pros at Raceway Electric. Safety is our top concern and we believe in doing work the right way the first time to keep you and your family safe. Contact Raceway Electric for your electrical needs. For more fire prevention information, go to the NFPA website.

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Electrical Problem Warning Signs

There are signs that your home’s electrical system may need repair. Obviously, it’s important not to ignore potential problems. If you notice any of the issues listed below, you should contact a licensed electrician as soon as possible.

1. Obvious signs, such as a burning smell, smoke, buzzing or sizzling sounds should be investigated right away by a licensed electrician. In addition, if you get a shock when touching a cord, or plugging a cord into an outlet, contact an electrician.
2. Do you have breakers that are frequently tripped or blown? This could indicate an issue.
3. Insulation that is cracked, cut, or broken should be inspected.
4. Even loose outlets could cause or indicate an issue. If outlets, cords, or switch plates get hot or discolored, this is also a cause for concern.
5. Sometimes a light bulb that burns out quickly can indicate that the fixture can’t withstand the bulb wattage.
6. Sparks or electrical arcs, when you plug in or unplug a cord, should be inspected.
7. If you have an over-amped or over-fused electrical panel, it should be reviewed by a licensed electrician.
8. Even something as simple as lights that flicker or dim could mean a circuit is overloaded or has a loose connection.

Hidden Dangers in Your Home

Undoubtedly, the signs above indicate issues with your home’s electrical wiring that should be inspected, and repaired by a licensed electrician. However, there are some reasons to have your electrical system inspected, even if you don’t notice issues.

For instance, if your home is more than 40 years old, you should have it inspected. Especially if you intend to remodel or make any major changes. Alternatively, you might need an inspection if you’ve already made home improvements or if you’ve purchased new appliances that might stress your electrical system.

Some older homes still have ungrounded, two-prong outlets that should be replaced with safer versions. Similarly, if your home was built in the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum wiring may have been used instead of copper and may need to be replaced at the connections. Aluminum wiring is no longer in code, so if you make major renovations, you will likely need to budget for replacement wiring. With this in mind, you should plan to have a licensed electrician do the work.

Let a Licensed Electrician Handle the Job

In general, when it comes to electrical systems in your home, it’s best to contact a professional, licensed electrician to inspect and do the work. Professional electricians know local and state safety codes to ensure the work will pass an inspection. Most importantly, a professional electrician will know how to perform the work safely and up to quality standards.

If you need electrical work for your home, contact us at Raceway Electric, LLC. We have licensed, professional electricians, and decades of experience and would love to help.

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