Don't Forget Your Home's Electrical System While Making Your Spring Cleaning List

By websitebuilder • 16 October 2016
A living room with a couch and a bookshelf
It's hard not to get excited when the temperature starts to rise, and the leaves begin to grow back on the trees. Spring means summer is on its way, and this season is one when many homeowners make a list of chores to tackle before it gets too hot.

One important task many homeowners overlook when making the spring clean list is a check of the home's electrical system. There are three ways your electrics benefit from a once-over by an electrician before heavy usage begins.

Pest or Rodent Wiring Damage

Nobody wants to hang outside in the cold during the winter, and that includes pests and rodents. Rats, mice and even possums prefer to find somewhere cosy and snug to hide out until spring arrives. The problem with these creatures taking up residence in your house is the damage they can do to your wiring.


You may not immediately see evidence of rodents in your home, and this is especially so if they choose to stay up in your roof area rather than venturing into the kitchen. However, rodents chewing on your wiring in the roof or wall cavities leads to a fire hazard in your home.


Once their teeth break through the plastic shielding the wires beneath, the wires can spark or short out. If you notice outlets haphazardly working, this is a sign of electrical shorting, and you need an electrician to find the problem and fix it.

Corrosion Damage to Outdoor Electrical Points

Checking your outdoor lighting as part of your spring cleaning list is another must-do since many families love to spend time entertaining outdoors during summer. The moist air of winter can corrode the metal fixtures of your outdoor lights, so head out and check each one.


Firstly, turn each of the outdoor lights on one by one. If the light bulb does not work, replace it with a new one. If the new bulb blows out within the first 48 hours of being inserted, look at the metal socket for signs of corrosion. Surface rust can be washed away using soapy water and a rag, but rust that has eaten into the metal socket means you need a new one. Run your finger across the corrosion to feel for signs of unevenness in the metal. This unevenness is a sign corrosion has eaten into the metal.


The reason why corroded sockets are dangerous is that they cause heat to build up, which in turns causes the light bulb to blow. If you are lucky, it is only the filament within the light bulbs that explodes due to this overheating rather than the whole light bulb itself. An electrician can replace the damaged socket for you.

Reducing Energy Costs Before Summer

The warm months of the year are also a time when you see an increase in your electricity bill. Air conditioning by itself can account for close to a quarter of the amount you are paying to your electricity provider. Before spring turns to summer, having an energy audit conducted in your home can save you money long term.


Calling an electrician is the fastest way to get an audit done. Some appliances use more energy than others. Having an electrician point out which ones are higher energy users allows you to make a decision whether you should replace them or whether they should only be run during the off-peak electricity periods so you can save money. Lighting is another area you can save costs by replacing high energy usage light bulbs with lower usage models.


When it comes to spring cleaning your home's electrical system, the team at AJC Electrical Service can help with all the repairs or replacements you need to make sure the only thing you'll be doing this summer is enjoying some time at the beach.

5 Steps for Maintaining Sanitary Stainless Steel Food Services Equipment

by By websitebuilder • 13 June 2016
Whether you run a dairy processing plant or a local butcher shop, you likely rely heavily on stainless steel trays, trolleys and mechanised equipment. Stainless steel provides one of the most sanitary and durable surfaces, making it an obvious choice in food service settings. However, to keep your stainless steel safe, clean and useable over time, you must start with the correct metal and perform routine maintenance. In this blog, we guide you through the process of maintaining sanitary stainless steel equipment when you process or serve food.

4 Reasons to Hire an Electrician to Install Your Smoke Detectors.

by By websitebuilder • 16 March 2016
You've recently built a new home, and you want to do everything you can to protect it. You've purchased a comprehensive insurance policy. You've installed security fencing and lighting. And you've carefully landscaped your property to minimise bushfire risks. All these extra investments have sapped your budget, and you still need to install a few smoke detectors to finish the job. Battery-powered detectors seem like a simple, straightforward and affordable approach, and you know you can easily place a few on the ceiling yourself. But before you move forward with that idea, keep in mind that you should hire an electrician to install and replace your smoke detectors for the following reasons.

Are You Smart About Your Switchboard?

by By websitebuilder • 16 February 2016
During the course of a typical day, you may not think much about your electrical system. When you reach out to turn on the lights or power up an electronic device, you expect your electrical output to respond automatically. However, if you often deal with blown fuses, tripped circuits or flickering lights, your electrical switchboard may need some prompt a ttention. Smart home or business owners pay attention to these signals before further problems arise.