Many modern American homes were constructed significantly before many modern Americans were born. We have homes that have been around since the Victorian Era and before, with all that that implies. Many houses are rife with out of date, unsafe electrical wiring, insufficient or toxic insulation, or other structural problems best corrected for the health and safety of anyone currently living there. Flicking on and off the light switches is nowhere near sufficient as a way to test the efficacy of any home’s electrical wiring. The intricacies of electricity extend further than simple functionality.

Before the 1940s, electricity was often done in a knob and tube wiring style that is currently vastly out of date. People should not assume that previous tenants or homeowners updated their electricity systems without inspections, since repairing knob and tube wiring was very expensive years ago. Knob and tube wiring is unsafe and prone to problems, but it is also highly inconvenient. Home inspections and getting your home wiring checked can save families significant time, money, and heartache in the long run. People that live in houses constructed around or before the 1940s, and especially between 1880 and 1940, are strongly encouraged to get their homes inspected. Licensed electricians can tell you if the wiring in your home poses an increased risk of fire or electrocution on a large scale, or inefficiency and proneness to blackouts on a small scale.

Knob and tubing wiring was never fitted with a grounding conductor for safety back in the pre-War period. Knob and tubing wiring used to have advantages in terms of cost, but today, the price of labor tends to outstrip the cost of material. Many knob and tubing wiring systems do not have enough branch circuits to suit the needs of a typical modern household, and will strain to supply the necessary electrical load. The amount and intensity of electrical equipment required by an Information Age resident substantially outstrips anything the people of the 1940s could have expected. Knob and tubing wiring left over from decades previously may well have been damaged further by renovations over the years, wear and tear, and various household pests, which only increases the risk of problems.

There are very few situations where a knob and tubing wiring system is legally installed today, according to building codes. Insurance companies are increasingly denying coverage to homes that have not upgraded their wiring from knob and tube wiring to a more modern power cables system. Updating your home’s wiring can add a substantial amount of money to your resale value, so families will increase the value and safety of their homes by updating them to meet modern electricity specifications.

Having a detached garage or tool shed is a great asset for any Des Moines home. While many homeowners these days are accustomed to attached garages that make it easier to carry in groceries and for gathering the kids for soccer practice, detached garages provide a great deal of worth because they allow for storage of power tools, lawn chemicals, and other potentially dangerous materials that you wish to keep away from your pets and children. Additionally, a shed allows a place for messier projects to be completed as well as a spot for loud power tools to be used without disrupting the rest of your family. However, due to the complications of building and electrical codes, many homes with detached garages either do not have electricity running to the garage or have been wired in an improper way

At Electrical Gurus, we are experts in electrical installation. Whether you simply want to run enough electricity for one light or wish to have enough power to run a woodshop, a residential electrician can properly and safely get your detached garage or shed running with electricity. And in the event a previous owner took a shortcut to get power to the garage, we can properly manage your house wiring to make everything is up to code. When it comes to electrical installation, it is the best interest of you and your family’s safety to have it done the right way. Call Des Moines’ Top Rated Local ® electrician today at 515-446-7040 or contact Electrical Gurus online for service you can trust.

Outdoor lighting of many varieties can effectively keep your space well-lit, safe, and inviting for you and your guests. These lights are typically reliable and long-lasting, but if they stop working and leave you in the dark, it can be a frustrating experience. Having an understanding of your lights and their potential issues can help you if you need to conduct outdoor lighting troubleshooting. There are several types of outdoor lights, all with different looks and objectives. Spotlights provide bright, direct light onto a specific area. Uplights are installed at or below ground level to shine upwards onto objects while downlights are installed high in a tree or structure to shine down. Floodlights use a motion sensor to shine directly onto an area when they sense someone there. Path or walkway lights are installed as individual fixtures along a walkway to illuminate it. Solar lights gather energy from the sun throughout the day, then turn on at night. These lights are installed in a variety of areas such as on a home; on a deck;  around a patio, deck, sitting area, or pool; or on the ground. There are also a variety of bulbs including halogen, incandescent, LED (light emitting diode) and bug light, each with their own uses and benefits. Each of these fixtures has several parts and can be susceptible to different issues depending on their parts and assembly. If your lights aren’t working properly, it can be concerning, and create potentially dangerous situations.

water and vinegar to remove residue and keep your lights shining brightly.While some outdoor lighting troubleshooting can easily be done on your own, outdoor lights are complex fixtures that aren’t always easy to diagnose and fix.

From a small storefront in New Jersey to 1800lighting.com around the world, Capitol Lighting remains committed to satisfying the illuminating needs of customers through personalized, professional service.  With extreme gratitude for trusted employees and a loyal customer base, we take a look back as we go forward to a brighter future for all…

• 1924:  An award-winning, family-owned retailing tradition begins January 24, 1924.  Capitol Lighting takes root as Ethel and Max Lebersfeld, recent immigrants from Austria-Hungary, open a lighting and home furnishings store on Prince Street in Newark, New Jersey.

• 1927:  Capitol Lighting moves to larger headquarters on Springfield Avenue in Newark.

• 1940:  Arthur Lebersfeld, son of Ethel and Max, conceptualizes a lighting store that is not only functional, but decorative as well.

Arthur’s keys to success:

– Delivering excellent service

– Maintaining a beautiful showroom

– Providing top quality merchandise at unbeatable prices

– Having well-trained, competent salespeople.

• 1960’s: Powered by the motto “The customer is always right,” the business continues to thrive; and Arthur and his wife, Rose, open more Capitol Lighting showrooms in New Jersey. Their sons, Herman and Max, follow in their parents’ footsteps and begin their professional careers with Capitol Lighting.

• 1967:  The largest lighting specialty store ever built, 60,000 square feet, opens its doors in East Hanover, New Jersey and Capitol Lighting becomes the most important retailer of lighting in the United States.

• 1980’s: Five generations later, Capitol Lighting remains a family owned and operated business committed to the time-honored traditions of delivering the finest in home lighting and accessories, the best prices, and providing outstanding service.

• 2000’s: Along with a committed staff of dedicated employees, Herman and Max Lebersfeld serve as Co Chairmen of the Board;  Herman’s sons, Ken and Eric as CEO and CFO respectively;  Max’s sons, Jason and Brian as Vice Presidents; and Daniel Silver, a member of the family’s fifth generation, starts his professional lighting career in Florida.

• 2011:  Capitol Lighting partners with Habitat for Humanity and HGTV star Rob Van Winkle (aka Vanilla Ice) to launch the “Making Lives Brighter” Campaign. The campaign continues to collect and donate lighting fixtures for new homes at Habitat for Humanity sites in New Jersey and South Florida.

• Today: With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, the guaranteed best prices and an outstanding selection of home lighting products and decorative accessories, Capitol Lighting has earned numerous awards, including the prestigious ARTS award for “Best Lighting Showroom” in the East Atlantic and New Jersey Monthly magazine’s “Family Business of the Year” and “Best of New Jersey” for “Where to Shop for Lighting.”

Capitol Lighting remains a family-owned and operated business with a commitment to customer satisfaction, top-quality products and unbeatable prices.  To find the best prices on your personal lighting project or to request a quote for your next commercial lighting job, please visit Capitol Lighting at 1800lighting.com or call 1-800-544-4846.

Whether you are searching for custom designed chandeliers, top quality landscape lighting, or a complimentary and personalized lighting plan to showcase your entire home, professional lighting consultants at Capitol Lighting are here for you.

With eight lighting showrooms (four in New Jersey and four in Florida) and a worldwide website at 1800lighting.com, Capitol Lighting celebrates their 90th anniversary this year.  We thank our loyal customers. We will continue to provide the best value, most innovative lighting designs and your guaranteed satisfaction.