Signs You Need an Electrician

Quick Summary: When to Call an Electrician

• Burning smells or heat

• Flickering or dimming lights

• Repeated tripping

• Buzzing or crackling sounds

• Electric shocks

• Old or unsafe electrics

• Water damage near electrics

• Any electrical issue you don’t fully understand

As an electrician working across London, one of the most common things I hear is: “I wasn’t sure if this was serious enough to call an electrician.”

It’s normal to hesitate, but in electrical work, waiting too long can make a small problem dangerous. This guide is here to help you know exactly when to call an electrician in London, based on real situations I see every week.

No scare tactics. No technical overload. Just clear signs you shouldn’t ignore.

When Should You Call an Electrician?

You should call an electrician as soon as something doesn’t feel right with your electrics — especially if it involves safety, repeated faults, or anything you don’t fully understand.

London properties are a mix of old wiring, modern upgrades, flats, and extensions. That combination means electrical issues don’t always look dramatic — but they can still be serious.

Below are the real warning signs I see on jobs where people waited a bit too long.

Flickering or Dimming Lights

When it’s normal

• A single bulb nearing the end of its life

• A brief flicker during a power surge

When to call an electrician

• Lights flicker in multiple rooms

• Lights dim when appliances turn on

• The issue keeps coming back

Why this matters

This often points to:

• Loose connections

• Overloaded circuits

• Wiring issues behind walls

These are not DIY fixes. In London homes, especially older ones, this can escalate quickly if ignored.

Burning Smells or Heat From Sockets

This is always a call-out situation

If you smell burning plastic, notice:

• Warm sockets or switches

• Discolouration around outlets

• Crackling sounds

👉 Call an electrician immediately

What’s usually happening

• Loose wiring

• Overheating terminals

• Failing sockets

This is one of the most common causes of electrical fires I see after the fact.

Circuit Breakers Tripping Repeatedly

One trip can happen

Repeated trips are a warning

If your fuse box or consumer unit trips:

• Frequently

• When using normal appliances

• Without an obvious cause

It’s time to call an electrician.

Common causes

• Overloaded circuits

• Faulty appliances

• Aging or damaged wiring

• A consumer unit that’s no longer suitable

In London flats and rentals, this is extremely common — especially where electrics have been added over time.

Buzzing Sounds From Switches or Fuse Boxes

Electrical systems should be silent.

Call an electrician if you hear:

• Buzzing

• Humming

• Crackling

What it usually means

• Loose connections

• Failing breakers

• Arcing electricity (which is dangerous)

This isn’t something that “goes away on its own”.

Electric Shocks or Tingling Sensations

Even small shocks matter

If you feel a shock when:

• Touching switches

• Plugging something in

• Using appliances

You should stop using that circuit immediately and call an electrician.

Why this is serious

This often points to:

• Poor earthing

• Wiring faults

• Unsafe installations

In London properties with mixed old and new wiring, this is a major safety issue.

Old or Outdated Electrical Systems

Common in London homes

You should consider calling an electrician if:

• Your fuse box is very old

• There’s no RCD protection

• Wiring hasn’t been checked in years

Signs of outdated electrics

• No modern consumer unit

• Fabric or rubber cables

• Limited sockets leading to extension overuse

Even if nothing has “gone wrong yet”, this is preventative — and often saves money long-term.

Frequent Blown Fuses or Dead Sockets

One dead socket is manageable

Multiple failures aren’t

Call an electrician if:

• Sockets stop working suddenly

• Fuses blow repeatedly

• Power cuts affect only part of the property

This usually means there’s a deeper issue within the circuit.

After Flooding, Leaks, or Water Damage

Water and electrics never mix.

Always call an electrician if:

• Water has reached sockets or switches

• There’s been a leak near wiring

• A property has flooded

Even if things seem to work afterwards, hidden damage is common.

Electrical Work Done by Someone Unqualified

This is more common than people admit.

Red flags include:

• DIY wiring

• Poorly installed sockets

• No certificates for past work

If you’re unsure, get it checked. I regularly fix issues caused by well-intended but unsafe electrical work.

When in Doubt — Call an Electrician

Here’s the honest truth from someone who does this daily:

If you’re asking yourself whether you should call an electrician — you probably should.

Most call-outs are about preventing problems, not reacting to disasters. Early checks are quicker, safer, and cheaper than emergency repairs.