Like many things in life, your electrical system doesn't last forever. It can be difficult to know when your electrical systems need replacing, however, several things work as warning signs. Here are the top five warning signs you need your electrical systems replaced by professional electricians.

1. Hot Switches

You might feel some heat when switching off your lights after having them on. This probably means that your switch is overloaded and it needs to be looked at by an electrician. Remember that this could lead to fatal accidents, such as home fires.

2. Broken Wires

Sometimes, your outlets can get dirty from dust and dirt buildup. That being said, if your dirty outlet looks like it is covered in soot, it's a sign you need a check-up on your electrical system. This occurs because some wires on the inside are broken and when they come into contact with each other they produce sparks which cause this build-up of soot that later lead to fires.

3. Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are protective installations that sense a change in the voltage and will automatically put out lights to prevent destroying your gadgets. If the circuit breaker keeps breaking, you might consider getting it checked. You might have also gotten a device that uses more volts than your previous gadgets did and this means that you need to upgrade your electrical system to manage the new number of volts.

4. Higher Bills

If your electric bills have been trending higher than usual, that means that you need an electrician to check your wiring. When there is a problem with the wires, they tend to draw off more electricity to do the same task. If you haven't added any new fixtures or technology to your home that uses electricity, your electrical system could be to blame for your increased bills.

5. Flickering Lights

Lights could flicker for various reasons. If it's happening in your whole neighborhood, that means the problem might not be in your house. However, if flickering occurs only in your house, you need to call electricians to take a look at your wiring system.

As you can see, there are many warning signs you can look out for that may mean you need your electric system replaced. Remember electrical fires account for 51,000 fires and are responsible for 500 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage annually, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Give us a call today and let the electricians at Grant Plumbing and Electric take a look at the minor issues before they turn into major issues.