common electrical issues
important note about troubleshooting electrical issues:
Troubleshooting and fixing common electrical problems in your home should be approached with caution. The guide below provides instructions and troubleshooting steps for common, simple issues. However, if you’re not comfortable performing any of the troubleshooting steps below it’s best to contact your Property Manager. Never attempt to remove or repair outlets, switches, fixtures or any other electrical component in your home!
common problems
Common electrical problems and their solutions
Power Outage or Outlets Not Working in One Room:
- Check Circuit Breakers: Locate the circuit breaker panel and check for tripped breakers. Reset any tripped breakers to restore power.
- GFCI Outlets: In bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas, look for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets. Press the “Reset” button to restore power.
Tripped Circuit Breaker:
- Identify the Cause: If a circuit breaker repeatedly trips, it indicates an overloaded circuit. Unplug devices from the affected circuit and reset the breaker.
- Reduce Load: Spread high-power appliances across different circuits to prevent overloading.
Flickering Lights:
- Loose Bulbs: Ensure light bulbs are securely screwed into fixtures. Loose bulbs can cause flickering.
Constantly Tripping GFCI Outlet:
- Inspect Connected Devices: Unplug devices connected to the GFCI outlet. If the outlet stops tripping, one of the devices may have a ground fault.
Warm or Discolored Outlets:
- Turn Off Power: If an outlet feels warm or shows signs of discoloration, turn off power to the affected circuit immediately.
outlets
outlets
- Turn off the power to the disposal by unplugging it or switching it off at the circuit breaker.
- Look for a hole located directly in the middle of the underside of the unit.
- Insert a 1/4″ Allen wrench or hex key into the hole and turn it clockwise and counterclockwise to manually rotate the disposal blades. Typically there is an Allen wrench attached to the side of the disposal specifically for this purpose.
- This helps to free up any obstructions that may be causing the motor to stall. If you feel or hear items being dislodged by turning the blades manually you will want to remove the debris before using the disposal. See the previous step for instructions on how to remove jammed objects.
- After removing the object, plug it back in or switch on the breaker and press the reset button on the underside of the disposal (see #2 in the previous section for instructions on the reset button).
- Turn on the disposal and see if it’s functioning properly.
lighting
lighting
- Turn off the power to the disposal by unplugging it or switching it off at the circuit breaker.
- Use a flashlight to look into the disposal for any foreign objects such as utensils, bones, glass, or other debris.
- If you see anything jammed, use long-handled tongs or pliers to carefully remove the obstruction. Do not put your hand in the disposal!
- After removing the object, plug it back in or switch on the breaker and press the reset button on the underside of the disposal (see #2 in the previous section for instructions on the reset button).
- Turn on the disposal and see if it’s functioning properly.