Lights that will not stop flickering without explanation? Breakers that go the way of the microwave and toaster when they are on at once? One has to ask if the wiring in a home of some age is really up to snuff.

You would be hard pressed to find an older home in the Flint area with as much character, but you would also find electrical systems that have no business being asked to do what we put them through these days. We of Design Electric Services have been of service to families in this part of the country since 1927 and can put those concerns to rest. (810) 631-1223 is our number.

From Genesee and Lapeer to the other counties around here there are plenty of homes that predate the modern appliance or the home office and all the devices that come with it. The electrical in such houses has stood up to time for the most part, but there are problems an owner ought to be aware of. Here is what we tend to come across.

Outdated Wiring

What you will see more than anything in an old home is wiring not equipped for the kind of load a family puts on it now. Put more current through something from the 40s or 50s than was intended and you have a safety issue on your hands.

We make note of the following in Flint-area homes:

• Knob-and-tube that is long gone past its safe life
• Cloth insulation on wires, brittle and cracked with age
• Aluminum of a certain vintage that has a habit of working loose at the connection
• Wiring too small for everyday use that will overheat
• Unpermitted splices and the like left by former owners

Let a licensed electrician have a look at it if any of this is present. More often than not a homeowner is none the wiser until a failure occurs.

An Overloaded Panel

The panel is where your system is run from, yet in an older house it is apt to be undersized. What was 60 amps then is expected to put out the same while central air and a garage full of tools are drawing power.

There are indications the panel is having trouble:

• Frequent tripping of breakers
• Warmth when you put a hand to it
• An old fuse box in place of circuit breakers
• Some buzzing or crackling
• A dearth of circuits to go around

An experienced crew can put in a new panel without difficulty and you will see the improvement in convenience and safety.

Not Enough Outlets

Back in the day one outlet in a room was thought to be enough. Now families are making do with extension cords and power strips, which is asking for trouble. And you will likely find two-prong outlets about the place; ungrounded ones give you less protection for yourself and your electronics. We can put in three-prong receptacles and GFCI in the wet areas of the house to bring things in line with standards.

Safety Features That Are Not There

A lot of the protections in the code today were not around when many of the homes in the Flint area were put up. GFCI and AFCI are there to ward off fire and shock, and you will not find them in an older home. It is a practical matter to add them for the good of the family.

Have Your Home Inspected

A professional inspection is advisable if you are renovating or have put an offer in on an older property, or should you have seen any of the above. Should there be sparking outlets or a burning smell, do not put it off.

We are a family concern at Design Electric Services, as we have been since 1927. Licensed and insured, we hold a Michigan General Contractor license and an A+ with the BBB. Our pricing is honest and upfront, with nothing hidden or tacked on at the end. We will give you a free estimate and veterans and seniors get 10 per cent off. We are open 7 to 5 Monday to Friday and provide emergency service the rest of the time.

For an older home in the Flint area that is in need of some attention, let us help you get it up to date and safe. Call (810) 631-1223.