DIY, or Do-It-Yourself, repairs and renovations are a common response to many home needs or emergency situations. It can be time-saving to begin a job immediately, could cut down on the costs of hiring a professional, or may just be an opportunity for homeowners to develop a skill or work on a hobby without calling a professional.

Certain areas of home repair and improvement, like plumbing and gas fixes, should be left to professionals. Electricians especially should be called in to oversee or complete repairs and renovations, as they know the laws, have built relationships with the local utilities, and have specialized training and expertise in the field.

Why You Shouldn’t DIY Electrical Work

DIY might work for small repairs in cases of electrical work, but since these issues deal with live wires and active electricity, it would be best to be safe and call in a professional in most cases. Electricians have specialized training and access to the tools necessary to safely and effectively make repairs and renovations to electricity. The result of DYI gone wrong with electrical work can be fires, electrocution or even death, so the margin for error is slim.

Electricians know how to test wires for power and turn power on and off safely before and after they have worked. While most homeowners know to test switches against breakers, few have voltage meters and insulated tools to protect themselves while working. When replacing circuits, rewiring a new space, or renovating old systems, most communities have codes and require permits for extensive work to oversee that is it done safely and in accordance with local law. In these instances, it’s best to call an electrician.

DIY work stops being time and cost-effective when it puts a homeowner and his or her family and property in danger. There are times when a professional electrician should be called in to help.

If you’re ever a contestant on Jeopardy and you’re asked what a GFCI is, you can respond by saying, “What is a ground fault circuit interrupter.” But knowing what GFCI stands for doesn’t mean you understand what it is. You’re not alone—the average homeowner is unaware of what a ground fault circuit interrupter does, but when your house’s ground fault is compromised, it can put the entire property, and your family, in danger.

A ground fault is an electrical path between a power source and a grounded surface. While all electrical devices and appliances are “grounded” to ensure they can be safely operated, devices can still lose their grounding and divert electrical currents to the nearest channel that provides a path to the ground: you. That’s why you need ground fault circuit interrupters in your home.

You’ve probably seen GFCI and never given them a second thought. They’re a common safety feature found on your electrical outlets that can be identified as two small buttons located in between the two sockets, the GFCI’s function is to constantly monitor the power current flowing through a circuit. At the first sign of a discrepancy between the current flowing into the outlet and the return current, it intervenes by shutting off the power to the outlet.

Having a ceiling fan in the bedroom or living room is a pretty common feature in many homes. The fans are far more energy efficient than an air conditioner and can help keep a room’s temperature fairly comfortable in mild heat. Any movement of the air helps keep it feeling fresh in a space and the warm environment is much more tolerable. An electrician in Santa Monica is here to tell you it isn’t just your living room and bedroom that could benefit from a ceiling fan. Your patio could as well. The team at The Electric Connection can get you all set up with an outdoor ceiling fan that makes sitting outside on a summer day much more tolerable.

An outdoor ceiling fan isn’t quite as common as the ones you will find for inside the home, but they are available. The fans will need to be installed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners who have a deck or patio that is partially covered can take advantage of these awesome fans. The fans are specially designed to withstand the elements. The wiring and electrical components for the fan are housed inside protective plastic that keeps the fan from shorting out. The blades are made with a variety of materials that will keep them from rusting or rotting.

An outdoor fan has a number of benefits. You can enjoy a meal or a little relaxation on the patio without worrying about the stifling heat. A slight breeze can make it all better. The gentle breeze over the patio will also keep a lot of the irritating bugs like flies, mosquitoes and bees at bay explains a Santa Monica electrician. This will make your outdoor dining experience that much better. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you would like to learn more about outdoor ceiling fans or would like to have one installed.