If one or more of your Maryland light fixtures is flickering, odds are good that they shouldn’t be. Festive and novelty lights aside, your home lighting should be even and steady. Any fluctuations in your light fixtures should probably be looked into, and flickering lights are more often than not indicative of a problem.
Sometimes the issue, and solution, is incredibly simple. But sometimes it’s not, and ignoring the problem puts your home at risk for an electrical fire.
Having endless issues with flickering lights in your Montgomery, Frederick, or Howard County home? Contact the certified electricians at GAC Services right away!
How to Diagnose and Fix Your Maryland Home’s Flickering Lights
Read on, to learn how to tell what your problem is, and when you need to call a professional for electrical repair!
Using LED or Fluorescent Lights
First thing’s first, is the flickering light in question using an LED or fluorescent bulb? If so, then some flickering may be normal. Fluorescent lights are known to flicker when they are first turned on, as the phosphorous powers up, and when the bulb is dying and in need of replacement. LEDs, on the other hand, often flicker when not attached to specialty dimmer switches. Be sure your LED bulb and dimmer switch are compatible!
Loose Bulb
If your bulb isn’t an LED or fluorescent, or you think their flickering is unrelated to the reasons above, the first thing you should do is gently tighten the bulb in its socket. If the bulb isn’t screwed in all the way, the weak connection between the bulb and the socket usually causes the light to flicker. Don’t over-tighten, though, or you might reduce your bulb’s lifespan!
Loose Connection to the Outlet
If the bulb isn’t the problem, it’s time to start branching out. Assuming your light plugs in at an outlet, head there first. If your plug’s prongs aren’t seated firmly in the outlet, that loose connection can cause flickering when the light is turned on. Try unplugging the light, adjusting the prongs if need be, and firmly re-seating the plug into the outlet.
Weak Connection to the Light Switch
Next on the list is checking your light switches. If your fixture is connected to a switch in your house, head there with the light turned on. Give the switch a jiggle — up and down, side to side, both if you want! If doing so causes the light to start flickering, the switch may very well be your problem. Try tightening the screws on the switch’s face plate. If that doesn’t fix the problem, you’re going to need an electrician.
Voltage Fluctuation
If you notice your flickering lights coincide with time when you’re using certain power-intensive appliances (furnaces, an air conditioner, microwave, washer or dryer) then your home’s voltage may be fluctuating too much. Slight fluctuations in voltage are okay — enough fluctuation to make your lights flicker or bulbs burn out can be dangerous. Contact an electrician to check your voltage readings and make sure your home is safe.
Malfunctioning Wiring
The final potential culprit that can make your lights flicker is faulty wiring in your home. This is, needless to say, a very bad thing. Loose, damaged, and/or faulty wiring can easily lead to house fires if left unaddressed.
Schedule Electrical Repair in Your Maryland Home Today
If you’ve gone through this list, tried all the easy solutions, and still aren’t sure what could be causing your lights to flicker, please be sure to contact our professionals at GAC Services. We’re Maryland’s number one team for fast, effective electrical repair!
