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Month: October 2018

Stay Aware with These Electrical Safety Tips

Posted on by oleg

Now that fall is here, it’s time to start giving some focus to the up and coming winter weather ahead. Heavy rains, strong winds, and low temperatures can certainly wreak a bit of havoc on your home’s electrical system. It is important to be able to keep your electrical system powered up and running properly, which is why we thought it useful to share some electrical safety tips that every homeowner should be aware of during the cold winter weather.

For starters, if anything appears to be malfunctioning or simply not performing at peak levels, rest assure that our fully licensed and experienced electricians are on call to handle it all. There is truly no project too big or too small for our electricians. We are committed and dedicated to providing top-rated electrical services to all our valued clients.

Indoor Space Heaters

We would like to start by giving attention to indoor space heaters. Whether you choose to use a portable heating device in your efforts to conserve energy or just as a quick solution to adding comfort to a cold and drafty room, be sure you take every precaution when portable heating devices are in use. You should never run the cord of your space heater underneath carpets or furniture of any type. Also, never use a space heater in an area of the home that is damp or wet. Finally, make certain that you never connect your space heater with an extension cord, but rather be sure to plug it directly into the wall outlets. Space heaters tend to draw a great deal of electrical current to warm a room rapidly. When you use an extension cord, they can easily spark or overheat and lead to a home fire.

Ice Buildup on Limbs and Lines

Turning our attention to the possibility of ice-weighed lines or branches: It’s completely probable that the weight of ice can create downed limbs and power lines because one cup of water weighs over half-a-pound and a gallon of water weighs over eight pounds. If ever a storm presents with downed power lines, be sure to stay away. Winter weather often disrupts the overall flow of electricity and power to residences. If there are downed lines or damaged lines that run to your home or nearby, be sure you contact your power company and do not attempt to handle the lines yourself.

Automotive Accidents

Finally, we think it’s very important to remind our valued clients about road safety. If you are involved in (or witness to) any type of auto accident due to ice-slicked streets that involves a vehicle striking a power pole, be sure you stay in your vehicle even after the accident occurs – unless, of course, your vehicle catches fire. All too often, motorists will lose control of their vehicle and strike a power pole. By stepping outside the vehicle with power lines down, you put yourself and your passengers at great risk.

Remember, to pay attention to these important electrical safety tips. Whatever your electrical needs may be, winter, spring, summer or fall, reach out to our five-star-rated team of experts. Whether electrical problems within your home or those in your outdoor living space, we are the team for you. Simply give a call out to our technicians and know we will be there in a flash to take care of your every electrical need. So, don’t delay. Contact our professionals today!!

Important Facts About Location of GFCI Outlets

Posted on by oleg

GFCI stands for Ground-Fault Circuit Interruptions.   GFCI outlets are specialized outlets that need to be placed in specific parts of your home. If you have been living in your home for years now and are unsure whether or not you have GFCI outlets installed, it’s important you contact our professionals at Gervais Electric and schedule a home electrical inspection. When we come out to your home, we will not only check for proper installations, but also check to be sure that those installed are up to code and working the way they’re designed to work.

Codes Requirements

GFCI outlets can detect when there is a problem of any type that can ultimately cause or lead to an electric shock. When this occurs the power to the outlet is cut immediately. This ensures any dangerous issues are thwarted. These outlets are a method for protection. There are specific requirements that come into play regarding their installation. GFCI outlets are installed to address safety concerns for home kitchens, wet bars, pool lighting, bathrooms and other areas of your home or business. They are required by current building codes. Without them, electric shocks could be a common occurrence. They must be installed in residences, businesses, construction sites, garages and even hotels and motels within 6 feet of any area that is susceptible of getting wet.

These requirements have served to protect homes and families for years. Is your home up to code? To ensure that your home is up to code it is important to reach out to our expert team and schedule a home electrical inspection. Our electricians will perform a thorough inspection, identify any problem areas and provide you with efficient (and usually affordable) solutions. If your home is a new construction, chances are these specialized outlets will be installed in every room of the house.

The overall comfort and safety of your home and family is our number one priority. We are committed and dedicated to providing our premier electrical services to all our valued clients in timelines that are accommodating to your individual needs and at prices that are affordable.

GFCI Failures

These GFCI outlets can go bad or fail over time in one of three ways. The first type of failure is the simple fact that the outlet will not trip when the test button is pushed. The second type of failure is that the trip button on the outlet stays out and is unable to be reset and the third and most dangerous failure is that the button actually trips out but the outlet itself stays hot. With these facts in mind, don’t delay in contacting our team to ensure that your GFCI outlets are working and installed properly or, if need be, perform any necessary installations where required in your home.

If you need to upgrade the GFCI outlets in your home, are not sure whether your existing outlets are up to code or want to ensure that they are installed where required, then we are the team for you. Simply give us a call or send us an email below to schedule your appointment today. We don’t want you to fall victim to any unfortunate occurrences, so be sure to discuss your concerns with our team.

For more information about GFCI outlets or to schedule an inspection or additional installations, contact Gervais Electric at (615) 973-1436. Don’t delay. Contact our team today!!

What is Causing Flickering Lights in Your Home?

Posted on by oleg

As homeowners, we are always looking out for ways to improve energy savings while ensuring the safety and well-being of our families. If your home is experiencing flickering lights, most homeowners may think there’s a serious issue with their home’s electrical system. This is not always the case. Chances are, flickering lights may not be directly linked to your electrical system. It is, however, still important to investigate the issue to discover where the problem lies. Take the time to determine which lights are flickering and why.

To understand how to service your lighting problems, you first need to identify your home’s exact situation. If only one bulb in your home is flickering, the problem will, nine out of ten times, be caused by the bulb itself. Solving a single flickering light problem begins by ensuring that the light bulb is fully tightened in the socket. If it is not, chances are the connection between the bulb and the socket is interrupted. To repair it, be sure to turn the power to the light off first before you attempt to resolve the issue. Simply adjust the bulb completely by screwing it tightly into the socket. If, after making this simple adjustment, the light continues to flicker, the problem may be because the bulb is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.

Light Bulbs

If you find that replacing the bulb with a new light bulb does not solve the problem, then it’s time to give focus to the light fixture or the light switch. There may be a loose connection in the light fixture or the switch may have a loose connection to one of the terminals. Turn the light switch on and off several times to see if this puts an end to the flickering. If that does not solve the problem, then it may very well be time to replace the light switch or check the wiring in the wall or the light fixture. This is where the professionals Gervais Electric come in. Our qualified electricians are on hand to take care of all your electrical issues, from light switches and receptacles to other troubleshooting methods that may require more technical testing to reach a definitive conclusion.

If the flickering light stems from a bulb in a lamp that is plugged into a wall socket, turn off the power to the lamp then unplug it and re-plug it into a different wall socket. Turn the power on. If the light flickering has stopped, then the problem lies within the socket itself. For this type of electrical problem, the professionals at Gervais Electric, Inc. are on hand to help solve that problem as well. Remember that detailed electrical work can be complicated and quite dangerous if not performed by professionals.

If you have multiple flickering lights in your home, more than likely you have a much bigger issue to deal with. Inclement weather can certainly cause flickering lights, but if the problem occurs quite frequently then the source may be that the voltage in your home has begun to fluctuate. You should keep track of when the flickering occurs and provide these details to the electrician when he arrives. A professional can evaluate your entire situation before it gets even worse—providing you with effective solutions and normally quick turnaround times.

If you have noticed that the lights in your home flicker for just a quick moment immediately after turning the light switch on but then become fully illuminated in a matter of seconds, there is no need to fret. If you are using fluorescent light bulbs, this is quite common. The slight flickering when first turning the light on is natural provided the flicker stops after the fluorescent bulb is fully warmed up.

If you find yourself still unsure of what the source of the problem may be, then don’t delay in contacting our professional electricians. We will come out to your home and evaluate your current situation. Our professionals can determine the underlying cause of your flickering lights, identify the problem and provide effective and efficient solutions. When you rely upon our top-rated electricians, you are putting your trust into the hands of some of the absolute best in Middle Tennessee’s electrical profession. Reach out to Gervais Electric by calling 615-973-1436 or send us an email on the short form below for a quick response back!