It’s not often that we give any thought to our light switches. They are relatively low maintenance (only needing to be wiped down or dusted occasionally), and they always do what you expect…until they don’t.
Light switches can last for decades, but one day they will reach the end of their life. When this happens, you may start experiencing issues with the switch. Here are the tell-tale signs your light switch is going bad and needs to be replaced.
Your Switch or Switch Plate Feels Hot
If your light switches feel slightly warm to the touch, there could be underlying electrical issues or fire hazards behind the walls. The wiring to the switch could be going bad, or there could be loose wire connections. A professional electrician should be called to diagnose and repair the problem.
It’s important to note that it is normal for dimmer switches to feel a little warm to the touch. You shouldn’t need to call an electrician until the panel or switch feels very warm or hot.
Your Light Switch Makes Noises
If your light switches begin to sound like a cereal jingle (snap, crackle, pop), you should have them inspected by an electrical contractor. Unusual sounds from light switches could mean that the electricity is arcing, which is a potential fire hazard.
There’s a Delay Before Your Lights Pop On
When you flip the switch, you expect the room you are stepping into to be flooded with light. But what does it mean when the light doesn’t come on right away? It means it’s time to replace the switch.
The metal parts of the electrical contacts may be wearing out, impeding the flow of electricity to your light fixtures. The good news is that this electrical problem is more of a nuisance than a fire hazard. You can easily have the faulty light switch replaced with a new one by a professional electrician.
Your Light Switch Feels Loose
You know your light switch is bad when it wiggles easily under your fingers and doesn’t snap like it used to. When your light switch becomes a little loose, you’ll often experience the light delay that we described above. Since the switch has malfunctioning parts, it’s best to contact an electrician and have them replace it.
Light Switch Doesn’t Work? We Can Help!
If you’ve noticed any of these signs of a defective light switch, you can reach out to Cornerstone Electrical. We will diagnose the problem and get you situated with a new (and better) light switch. We can also install lighting in your NH home or set up a standby generator in your NH business. Get in touch for more information!
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