Electrical Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling your Home

Remodeling can be a very exciting experience but you don’t want to commit any of the following electrical mistakes. Electrical shocks and short circuits are deadly and you need to prevent them by making sure you avoid common electrical service mistakes. We are going to look at some mistakes that inexperienced electricians make during renovations that may cause serious shocks and potential fires. 

Stuffing too many wires in an electrical box

No experienced electrician will make the mistake of stuffing too many wires in the box because of the risk of overheating. The box size should be increased to facilitate the many different wires in order to avoid the risk of short-circuiting. Some homes have even experienced fire damage due to electrical wires that are stuffed in a small electrical box. 

Underground wiring

Many people make the mistake of using normal household wiring on the backyard or garden. There are specific cables and wires that are meant for underground wiring. Using the wrong type of cable or wire can cause a lot of potential risks. The underground wires need to have conduit protection at the top so that they do not easily get damaged by soil or pressure.

Using the junction box and clamps to protect wires/cables

Most people will not install these components because they seem to occupy too much space. However, when the renovations are done especially in the kitchens, junction boxes and clamps are important because they help to protect wires and cables that will be connected to kitchen appliances. Not only do they prevent damage to your electrical appliances but also ensure you don’t experience shocks and sparks when you connect the appliance to the electric supply. Having clamps and junction boxes can really help to maintain your electrical appliances.

Using extension cords as permanent wiring

This is often seen in outdoor spaces like on the lawn where one needs to use the sprinkler but there’s no power source. Using an extension cord as a permanent source of wiring is a very dangerous thing any homeowner can do. These cords are sometimes unable to withstand the load they are exposed to and may end up creating serious potential risks like house fires. If there is a need to use power outdoors, underground wiring should be done to facilitate this.

Cutting the wires too short

Many homeowners who choose to do their own electrical work during renovations end up making this common mistake. The issue with cutting the wires too short is that, you are more likely to make poor connections which end up becoming very dangerous. Make sure the wires are long enough to facilitate proper connections.

Connecting wires without electrical boxes

Connecting wires without the use of electrical boxes is a very huge risk. When you leave the wires hanging, the connections can easily get damaged and cause short circuits. There is also the risk of loose connections when electrical boxes are not used. These loose connections will cause shocks and also expose the wires to different forms of damage.   

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

Home Lighting Trends

You walk into the lighting section of any home improvement store and are quickly overwhelmed with the number of options available when it comes to lighting the interior and exterior of your home. Experts know the best tips for lighting that can provide both enough wattage for what you are doing and be flattering at the same time. They also know home lighting trends.

Let's begin by outlining the different kinds of lighting for each main room of the home.

Kitchen. They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is also a gathering place when company is over. When preparing meals, it's important to have proper lighting. The key in the kitchen is to focus primarily on the overhead lighting. Additionally lower light sources (think under-cabinet lighting) can shed more direct light onto work surfaces.

Dining Room. The best tip for this room is to illuminate the table so that it is the brightest location in the room. You'll find that in the majority of homes utilize a chandelier light fixture. Lighting experts suggest not going any higher than 100 watts total on the fixture. If a sideboard is in the room, then matching sconces can add great lighting features to the space. Pendants are popular over island seating or alternatively recessed light can also provide the same basic effect.

Living Room. Lighting this room will vary a little bit more from one home to the next. For the most part, you want to use the general rule of thumb which is to light three out of the four corners. One of these lights should be directed towards an object that you want to stand out in the room. Some homeowners like to feature a particular piece of artwork whereas others may point it at a chair or other favorite decorative element. Floor and table lamps can also be utilized in the living room space to add additional reading or task lighting.

Bedroom. The bedroom lighting should allow for an atmosphere that is primarily for reading. Any type of track or recessed fixtures should be pointed away from the bed and not directly aiming at the bed itself. Reading lamps commonly are found on bedside tables which can help create a cozier and more relaxing atmosphere.

Bathroom. Most often the first thing that comes to a woman's mind when thinking about lighting in the bathroom is the best type of light for applying makeup. For a man, it may be shaving. Whichever the task is, lighting that flanks the mirror is the best option for the space. Additionally overhead lighting can help not to allow shadows.

Lighting Types

Now onto the various types of lighting primarily used in the home. When shopping for lighting fixtures you will find a range of prices and types varying from the cheap builder-grade lighting to the high-end and custom lighting features. No matter your budget, you will usually find options in flush mount, semi-flush, chandeliers, pendant, sconces, track and recessed.

How Many Watts Do You Need?

While the wattage will vary from one light to the next, the normal that you will usually find is 60 watts. Whether you are putting on make-up, staring at a computer screen or reading, a 60-watt light bulb will fulfill the needs. You will also notice a wide variety of bulb types when you are shopping on the lighting aisle. The normal types are LED, incandescent and fluorescent.

No matter which room of the house it is, the appropriate task lighting should be used. And, having a well-lit home can make a big difference in every-day tasks.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric   http://blackstockelectric.com