Electrical testing, like any other maintenance work, can often be put off until another day. However, there are a number of situations in which it becomes a necessity rather than an option.
Moving Into a New Home
Unless you had the wiring independently checked before you moved in, you have no real way of knowing the state of the installation. An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, checks whether the existing wiring and circuits are safe and highlights any areas that may cause problems in the future.
You Rent Out a Property
In England, the electrical safety in rental properties is the responsibility of the landlord. In line with government guidelines, electrical installations in rental properties must be tested every 5 years by a qualified electrician and the resulting report given to the tenant. Any fault found must be repaired within 28 days.
After Major Electrical Work
If a property has recently had electrical work done such as a rewire of the whole property, an inspection will confirm how the work has been installed and if it meets current electrical standards. This would also apply to an extension, a newly fitted kitchen or bathroom.
Selling Your Home
Recent EICRs can also be highly beneficial for homeowners selling their properties. In an era where increasingly more buyers and their solicitors are asking for recent Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) to be supplied prior to contract exchange, an up to date report can aid in the sale of a property and negate any potential delay in the property’s conveyancing.
An Older Installation
Older Installations – 20-40 years old, wired to older standards and may not be able to handle the power requirements of modern appliances. Most older installations will still be using old fuse boxes (containing rewirable fuses) as opposed to modern consumer units containing circuit breakers.
After Flood or Fire Damage
Water and heat can cause hidden damage to electrical cables and fittings and it is essential that these are tested prior to the reinstatement of supply following flood or fire damage. Electrical Testing Cheltenham is covered in more detail at www.blu-fish.co.uk/electrical-services-cheltenham/electrical-testing-cheltenham/.
Book an electrical test if any of the above situations apply to you.
