Whole-Home Electrical Inspections in Olympia

Not sure what state your home’s electrical system is in? Schedule a whole-home electrical inspection with Black Hills. We’ll ensure your electrical system and wiring are up-to-date and safe. We serve customers throughout Thurston, Mason, Cowlitz, Pierce, King, Kitsap, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties.

Electrical Safety

Electrical problems occur every day around the country. Did you know that according to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2015-2019, there was an estimated average of 46,700 home fires each year due to electrical failure or malfunction? That’s a scary statistic.

Luckily, many home electrical fires can be prevented by following some basic safety procedures provided by the Electrical Safety Foundation and paying attention to your home’s electrical system.

Contact us to request an appointment for electrical services in Western Washington, including SeaTac, Olympia and throughout Thurston County.

What Are Common Signs that Point to an Electrical Issue

Keep your eyes out for the following signs that you have an electrical issue on your hands:

• Flickering Lights: A light can dim or brighten when a sudden pull of electricity occurs from a major electrical appliance like the air conditioner, vacuum, or microwave. You need to pay attention when your lights start flickering randomly or even turn off and on seemingly on their own. Ensure that you have the proper wattage bulb, if the bulb is non-dimmable in a dimming socket, and that the bulb is seated correctly. If the bulb is still flickering, you could have an electrical problem.
• Excessive Breaker Tripping: If you find your breaker constantly tripping multiple times a month, that’s a sign of a problem. Your circuit may be overloaded or have a problematic ground fault. If your breaker continues to trip or won’t reset at all, you have an electrical issue.
• Vibration, Warmth, Discoloration, & Burns: If you notice an outlet or switch is pretty warm to the touch, is vibrating, or has any discoloration or burns, you may have a problem. Light switches in the on position may be a little warm, which is natural, but if it’s hot, there is a problem.
• Crackling or Buzzing Noise: Listen for crackling, buzzing, or popping noises. These noises indicate electrical arcing. Typical, harmless causes may include dimmer switches or very infrequent crackles when using a light control.
• Burning Odor: A burnt smell may indicate the overheating or melting of insulator materials (the coverings over wires). These smells can indicate damage from overheating. If the odor does not go away or gets worse, you may have a hidden fire developing. Play it safe, dial 911, and get out of your home.

If you notice these issues, schedule an electrical repair with Black Hills. If you aren’t sure or suspect you may have hidden problems, consider scheduling a whole-home electrical system inspection with Black Hills.

Whole-Home Electrical Inspections

Do you have an older house with older wiring? Are you worried your electrical circuits are overloaded? Are you unsure if your home’s electrical wiring is safe?

Is there a new home you are considering buying, but would like to know the exact state of the wiring and electrical system? If you answered any of these questions affirmatively, schedule a home electrical inspection in greater Western Washington state with Black Hills.

Black Hills electricians are highly-experienced and know what to look for. Their equipment allows them to track down problems and find out exactly how to fix them. Our electricians can give a whole-home evaluation and let homeowners know what’s going on in the bones of their home.

If you live in an older home, are planning a remodel, or just haven’t had an electrical inspection in the last five years, we recommend scheduling one.

What Gets Inspected During a Residential Electrical Evaluation?

Our electricians will check the following:

• Breaker Box: sometimes called an electrical panel, the breaker box is your home's main circuit distribution point. We check that the connections are tight, the labels are correct, and all breaker are functioning.
• Outlets: We check that they are in good working order, meeting building codes, correctly grounded, and free from burn marks.
• Home Equipment: We’ll inspect your furnace, AC, and water heater for wiring, grounding, and breaker issues.
• GFCI Outlets: These outlets protect you from electrical shock. They should be installed in your kitchen, bathrooms, unfinished basement, garage, and outdoor outlets.
• Attics, Basements, & Crawl Spaces: We’ll check the wiring in these locations, looking for open splices, damaged wiring, burn marks, or outdated wiring.

If you are worried about any particular space, fixture, appliance, or equipment–even one not listed above–we will take a look!

After the inspection, we’ll deliver a full report with our findings, expert advice, and recommendations. Get peace of mind with a whole-home electrical evaluation in Olympia and Thurston County, Washington, today with Black Hills.

We serve customers throughout Thurston, Mason, Cowlitz, Pierce, King, Kitsap, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties.