Kolb Electric, here, and we wanted to discuss a fairly common topic we’ve noted with our patrons as of late. We’ve been getting a lot of “Is this normal?” Or “Is this a common problem?” questions on our projects and calls recently. This got us to thinking; maybe people would be interested in learning a bit about what electrical problems our Baltimore electricians encounter regularly.

What would we consider to be a fairly normal issue? And what would be an oddball? Answers to this and more today in:

No problem is ever “normal’, per se. That’s why it’s a problem! But there are certainly some issues we see regularly:

So why do we feel like it’s a good idea to clue you in on our most common repairs? Partially because information is fun, but mostly because problem is the key word here. Understanding that these common issues are indeed problems that should be looked into by our Baltimore electricians is important.

Any instance of poor wiring, flickering lights, under-maintained equipment or general electrical funny business should be addressed right away! Leaving them alone or ignoring them can be hazardous, or can lead to much larger electrical problems. So have them handled by a pro right away!

If you note any of the issues we mentioned today (or any other electrical problems), contact the certified Baltimore electricians at Kolb today! Our experts can have your electrical appliances and wiring in perfect working order in no time at all!

My dad might just be the most difficult person I know to find gifts for. Unlike other dads, who might enjoy fishing, golfing, or watching football, mine rides and restores vintage motorcycles for fun. What’s so difficult about that? Well, there are only so many spark plugs and screwdrivers he needs, and only so many specialty parts I can track down before I’m in over my head.

That’s why I went out on a limb this Christmas, and decided to give him one of our

As you can see, the light’s long neck lets it curve and reach to illuminate the motorcycle’s body for detailed work.

We’re excited to announce that we now offer

Multi-panel light systems are designed to add a point of interest and liven up a room. They can be used for numerous applications, including dental office lighting, lobby lighting, hospital lighting, classroom lighting, waiting rooms, conference rooms, basements, and more. A choice of stock cloud images can be split into two-, three-, four-, or six-panel displays depending on the chosen panel size. Custom panels can include any image and number of panels, and they can be arranged in any way.

Each Even-Glow® LED panel light uses perimeter-mounted LEDs with an optical diffuser to emit natural white illumination without visible bulbs or hot spots.

Dimmable and non-dimmable panels are available for custom or static levels of light. Dimmable panels consume just 40 watts of power, and non-dimmable 2-by-4-foot and 2-by-2-foot panels consume 50 or 72 watts respectively—significantly less than fluorescent fixtures. The panels have sturdy white or black aluminum alloy frames. They operate within a 100-277V AC range and are designed to last three times longer than fluorescent troffers.

Electrical repair isn’t a subject most people think of on a regular basis. Unless you’re an electrician, or you know an electrician, you don’t really think about the wiring inside your home and office walls, wiring that makes just about everything in our world possible!

Sometimes, though, an electrical system needs a little help. When it does, you’ll find yourself thinking about electrical repairs more than you ever thought you would. And you’ll need to find a good electrician, too!

But, first, how do you know you might need to make electrical repairs to your home or office?

If these sound familiar, you might be in need of electrical repairs in your home or office:

-> Appliances that switch off, consistently, when another appliance is switched on

-> Power off in just one part of the home

-> Do you consistently replace a certain breaker in your breaker box?

If any of these symptoms sounds familiar to you, you might need to make electrical repairs to your home or office. The best place to start is to find a good electrician. A good electrician can help you to locate the problem, estimate the repair cost, and get the job done right!

There’s no real science to finding a good electrician just like there’s no real science to living life! Ask your friends or neighbors for advice, or do some research online. Whatever your process might be, the following two items are *essential*. Your electrician must be both certified/licensed and insured.

The electrical system in your home is a complex and delicate thing. Don’t neglect it! Fire is a real danger when it comes to ignored electrical problems – in just 2011, alone, 43,700 domestic fires in the United States were linked to electrical problems in the home or office.

So, if you suspect trouble, no matter how small, find yourself a good electrician and find peace of mind!

There are some home repairs you don’t want to tackle. Here are several red flags to look for when you’re buying a home.

common plumbing problems. Water damage is the homeowner’s mortal enemy. Water causes foundation problems, rot and mold. Want to move into that mess? Probably not.

To see if your potential purchase has suffered the consequences of water damage, start outside and

When you see water damage near an electrical outlet or a light fixture, you may have stumbled onto a fire risk. But outlets aren’t the only place to look for potential electrical problems.

Look for flickering and blinking, which signals a poor connection somewhere along the circuit. Check to see if both halves of electrical outlets are functioning. Make sure bathrooms, kitchens, garages and outdoors have professional electrician should determine whether the home’s circuits or fuses provide adequate power and service. The electrician can look for burned wiring, improper connections, dead-end wiring or ungrounded switches and outlets.

Your home inspector is a font of knowledge! Have the inspector check the air quality of the home to see if any mold spores are present — if water leakage or other common plumbing problems have been an issue, mold may be, too.

The inspector can ensure that the heating and cooling systems are properly installed. The inspector can also determine how old the HVAC system is and ensure that its been maintained

Your inspector will also determine the type of pipe that supplies water to the house—old lead and galvanized steel pipes are going to need replacing.

If the house you’re considering fails these tests, it may be best to move onto the next. If you still think it’s the right house for you, despite the presence of common plumbing problems or the need for an electrical overhaul, negotiate a lower price or ask the seller to pay for needed fixes.

Questions? Thoughts? Leave a note in the Comments section orschedule service today.