Electrical repairs that ensure the safety of homes and businesses
Outlets that seem burned? Flickering lights? Circuit breakers tripping all the time? These are all signs of electrical malfunctions in your home or office. As an electrical contractor in San Antonio, we need to advise you to call a licensed electrician to proceed immediately with the necessary electrical repairs.
Being “in the trenches” for almost 30 years, we have seen on more occasions that we can count a small electrical malfunction become a full-scale problem jeopardizing the safety of an entire building. We made a specialty in performing electrical repairs efficiently and quickly. There is never any time to lose.
Here is a list of a examples of electrical repairs we perform. Click on any of the links below to jump directly to the section most relevant to your needs.
- Circuit breakers issues
- Light fixture repairs
- Wiring issues
- Overloaded circuits
- Flickering lights
- Electrical surge damage
- Electrical noise issues
Circuit Breakers: Common Issues and Solutions
Breakers Tripping
One of the most common issues we encounter is circuit breakers that frequently trip. This usually indicates overloaded circuits. Our licensed electricians assess the load on each circuit and suggest upgrading, redistributing appliances, or installing additional circuits to alleviate the load on the circuit.
Breakers Constantly Resetting
If you find yourself constantly resetting a breaker, it could be a sign of a serious electrical issue. Our team conducts a thorough inspection to identify and rectify the underlying cause, which could range from a faulty appliance to a wiring problem. In any case, the electrical repair must be completed.
Old or Faulty Breakers
Over time, circuit breakers will wear out and fail to perform effectively. We replace old or faulty breakers with new, high-quality ones that ensure better protection and efficiency.
Breaker Not Staying Reset
If a breaker won’t stay reset, it often points to a more severe issue like a short circuit. Our licensed electricians use advanced diagnostic tools to locate and fix the short circuit. This is a critical electrical repair to be done as the safety and reliability of your installation is in jeopardy.
Unusual Noises from the Breaker Box
Buzzing or humming sounds from the breaker box can indicate loose connections or faulty breakers. We inspect the breaker box, tighten connections, and replace any components that compromise system integrity.
In addition to addressing immediate issues, we also focus on preventive measures. Inspecting your your breaker box as we do a more comprehensive electrical safety inspection will preempt many common issues. For older homes or commercial buildings, we often have to recommend breaker box upgrades to accommodate typical electrical loads and bring up an installation to code. If this is the issue you are experiencing, please call us at (210) 391-0274 or contact us here.
Light Fixture Repair Services
All Star Electric offers expert electrical repairs of light fixtures in both residential and commercial settings. We restore misfunctioning light fixtures to their full functionality and safety. Some examples:
Flickering Lights
Flickering can be due to loose wiring, faulty connections, or issues with the light fixture itself. Our electricians diagnose and rectify these problems, ensuring a stable and consistent light output.
Damaged Fixtures
Light fixtures can be physically damaged, often by impact or just wear and tear. We look at the extent of the damage and either repair the fixture or suggest a suitable replacement.
Upgrades for Energy Efficiency
You may want to change fixtures that are outdated or consume a lot of electricity. We definitely do these installations all day long. With LED technology, there are many solutions on the market to lower your power bill and improve the lighting quality throughout your home or business.
Examples of Light Fixture Electrical Repairs
Restoring Antique Fixtures
We have expertise in repairing and restoring antique light fixtures, preserving their historical value while ensuring they function safely with modern electrical systems.
Emergency Repairs
In cases like a short-circuiting chandelier or a broken security light, our team of electricians provides prompt emergency repair services to address your safety concerns immediately.
Commercial Lighting Repairs
For businesses, we handle electrical repairs on large-scale lighting systems, ensuring minimal disruption to operations and maintaining optimal lighting conditions.
Whichever light fixture you need to repair, please call us at (210) 391-0274 or contact us here.
Wiring Repair & Upgrade Services
All Star Electric offers wiring repair and upgrade services in residential and commercial properties. We consider these services as electrical repairs because they are essential for enhancing safety, functionality, and compliance with current codes.
Risks related to faulty wiring
Old or outdated wiring not only creates a serious risk of electrical fire, but it can also lead to inconsistent power supply and damage to appliances.
If you operate your business in an old building, chances are your electrical installation is not up to code. If your home dates back from the 80s and earlier, and your electrical installation has never been updated, we urge you to consider an electrical safety inspection to assess what electrical repairs are necessary. You benefit from having an updated wiring system for:
- Safety: Reducing the risk of electrical fires and shocks.
- Efficiency: Ensuring a stable and adequate power supply for appliances and electronics.
- Compliance: Meeting current electrical codes and standards.
Detecting Faulty Wiring and Upgrading It
Our initial assessment begins with a thorough inspection of your existing wiring system to identify outdated or damaged components. Then we develop an upgrade plan that addresses the issues detected and meets the needs of the property.
We use high-quality, durable wiring materials and employ code-compliant techniques for installation, ensuring longevity and reliability. Our team of electricians works efficiently to minimize disruption to your daily activities.
Examples of Wiring Upgrade Projects
Residential Upgrades
We recently completed a residential wiring upgrade on a home. The home actually nearly burned to the ground due to faulty wiring. Luckily, no one was at home when the fire started: the neighbors saw the fire and called the fire department, and the fire department was there to save the home within a few minutes.
The damage was extensive however, even with the rapid response from the fire department. We had to go in and install an entirely new electrical service, all new devices, and all new wiring to repair the damage to the home.
Commercial Building Rewiring
Businesses are a bit of a different story. We don’t see too many businesses that have outdated or faulty wiring. Many times however, we observe businesses with undersized wiring compared with what is connected to the circuit or panel. Under these circumstances, we replace wiring to protect a business from potential electrical fires.
Historic Property Rewiring
We have rewired several homes in historic districts. They tend to have a very dangerous type of wiring called knob-and-tube. This type of wiring is responsible for many house fires and many electrocution deaths. The wires are exposed in the attic and on insulators. The wiring insulation tends to get brittle and fall off over the years. Then the conductors are directly exposed to being touched. Also, all the lights and plugs in the home are usually connected to one or two circuits which allows for the circuits to easily be overloaded. This can also cause electrical fires.
Whenever there is knob-and-tube wiring in a home, we always recommend a complete home rewire. This means replacing all the existing wiring with modern wiring, and removing the old two-prong plugs to replace them with three-prong plugs. Our makeover also includes adding the code-required receptacles that were not code-required when the home was built. We change the old fuse box with a modern service panel and breakers. Oftentimes, we also need to take down the existing service meter and panel to replace them updated technology up to current codes.
Do you think you may have a problem with faulty wiring that may require specialized electrical repairs? Please call us at (210) 391-0274 or contact us here.
Repairing Overloaded Circuits
Overloaded circuits are a common issue in many homes, often arising from increasing demands on an electrical system that was not designed for modern electrical loads. This problem can manifest in various ways, such as frequent tripping of circuit breakers, flickering lights, or outlets that stop working.
How Does Overloading Occur?
In a typical household, the operation of numerous devices like computers, gaming consoles, and large appliances can overload circuits. For example, running a microwave, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator on the same circuit can exceed its capacity.
Homes built several decades ago usually features fewer circuits, each with lower capacity. This makes them prone to overloading as more appliances and devices are used simultaneously.
This is also the case in retail spaces that date back from the early-to-mid 20th century.
Risks Related to Overloaded Circuits
Overloaded circuits create significant risks for any building and activity.
- Electrical Fires: Overheating of wires due to excessive load can trigger a fire.
- Damage to Appliances and Electronics: Fluctuating power supply harms sensitive electronics.
- Electrical Shocks: Overloaded circuits increase the risk of electrical shocks during appliance use.
Most Visible Indicators of Overloaded Circuits
- Circuit Breakers Frequently Tripping: This is when a particular circuit breaker trips often, especially when multiple devices are used simultaneously.
- Dimming or Flickering Lights: When lights dim or flicker upon the activation of other appliances, it indicates the circuit is struggling to handle the electrical load.
- Outlets or Switches Feeling Warm to the Touch: Overloaded circuits cause outlets and switches to become unusually warm or even hot: the wiring opposes too much resistance to the current.
- Burning Smell from Outlets or Switches: A burning odor near electrical outlets or switches signals an overloaded circuit. It is a serious warning sign of potential fire hazards.
- Buzzing Sounds from Outlets or Switches: Any unusual buzzing or humming noises from electrical outlets or switches suggests that the circuit is overloaded and struggling to cope with the demand.
Resolving Overloaded Circuits
As part of our work as an electrical contractor to address overloaded circuits in a home, we take the following steps:
- Assessment and Diagnosis: We conduct a thorough evaluation of your home electrical installation to identify overloaded circuits and underlying causes.
- Upgrading the Service Panel: If your current service panel is outdated or lacks sufficient capacity, we will propose to upgrade to a modern panel with higher amperage. This allows for better distribution of electrical loads and the addition of more circuits if needed.
- Rewiring and Circuit Redistribution: In some cases, we can rewire parts of the home and redistribute electrical loads across different circuits to alleviate overloading. This involves running new wires for specific high-demand appliances and creating dedicated circuits for areas with heavy usage.
- Implementing Surge Protection: To safeguard against potential damage from overloaded circuits, we offer to install surge protectors: this is an effective measure to protect sensitive electronic equipment.
If you observe that type of electrical issue in your home or business, don’t wait for a larger issue to occur. Please call us at (210) 391-0274 or contact us here.
Flickering Lights Requiring Electrical Repairs
Flickering lights in a home or commercial setting are more than just a nuisance: they often signal underlying problems that need prompt electrical repairs. As an electrical contractor operating now for close to 30 years in San Antonio, understanding and resolving the causes of flickering lights is a key part of our service offerings.
Common Causes
Loose or Faulty Wiring
One of the primary reasons for flickering lights is loose wiring within the circuit. Over time, wiring can become loose due to factors such as the natural settling of a building, and seasonal temperature variations that expand and contract metal terminations.
Voltage Fluctuations
Significant fluctuations in voltage can cause lights to flicker. You can observe the issue when turning on high-power appliances (e.g., air conditioners, large power tools). Because they draw a large amount of current, they momentarily reduce the voltage available to other devices.
Faulty Light Bulbs or Fixtures
Sometimes, the issue is as simple as a faulty bulb or a malfunctioning light fixture. For instance, dimmer switches that are incompatible with certain types of light bulbs (especially LEDs) can cause flickering.
Associated Risks
While occasional flickering does not typically pose an immediate danger, we advise you not to ignore consistent or severe flickering. Several types of hazards can materialize if you don’t proceed with the necessary electrical repairs:
- Fire Hazards: Loose or faulty wiring can overheat, creating a risk of electrical fire.
- Damage to Electrical Appliances: Frequent voltage fluctuations can damage sensitive electronic devices.
- Electrical Shocks: Faulty electrical fixtures or wiring increase the risk of electrical shocks during use.
Repairing Flickering Lights
When we proceed with the electrical repairs necessary to fix flickering lights, we follow this protocol:
- Thorough Inspection: We conduct a comprehensive examination of your electrical system and specific circuits to pinpoint the exact cause of the flickering.
- Repairing or Replacing Wiring: When we see any instance of loose wiring, we secure the connections. If we observe old wiring that is not up to code, we replace it.
- Addressing Voltage Fluctuations: In some cases, we may installing voltage stabilizers. We may also propose you to redistribute circuits to help alleviate the load on a circuit. If necessary, we will discuss upgrading your service panel. Voltage stabilizers are very useful in facilities using computers and servers, and in healthcare facilities where medical equipment needs to operate under very stable conditions.
- Updating Light Fixtures and Changing Bulbs: Sometimes the problem is simply an outdated fixture, or an incompatible dimmer, or even more simply a faulty light bulb. In this case, we change the dimmer, the light bulb or the LED strip. If you need to purchase a new light fixture, we will discuss it beforehand.
If you observe persistently flickering lights in your home or in your business, don’t take a chance with safety. Call All Star Electric San Antonio at (210) 391-0274 or contact us here.
Electrical Repairs After Surge Damages
In San Antonio, we experience frequent thunderstorms. Our region is kind of well-known for this. Unfortunately, the sudden electrical surges that occur during these storms can cause significant damage to a residential electrical installation and your sensitive electronic devices. Businesses are typically more protected from surges than homes, but we have also seen many instances of computer drives and processors fried by power spikes.
Repairing surge damages and protecting electrical installations from these pikes is a significant part of our business as an electrical contractor.
Common Causes of Electrical Surges
- Lightning Strikes: Lightning induces high voltages in electrical lines.
- Power Outages: Surges often occur when power returns after an outage. The sudden influx of electricity can overwhelm an installation.
- Faulty Wiring or Appliances: Damaged wiring and malfunctioning appliances cause smaller, more frequent surges. These gradually damage other electrical devices.
Risks Associated with Electrical Surges
In our experience, there are 3 main risks associated with surges:
- Damage to Electrical Appliances: Surges can fry circuits in appliances and sensitive electronic devices.
- Fire Hazards: Severe surges can overheat electrical systems, increasing the risk of fire.
- Compromised Electrical Safety: Surges can damage the safety mechanisms typically present in a modern electrical installation. This increases the risk of shocks or further damage.
Repairing Electrical Surge Damage
When we intervene on a site or a home which has suffered surge damage, we generally proceed in this manner:
Assessing the Extent of the Damage
We do a thorough inspection of the electrical installation and the connected appliances to understand the extent of the damage caused by the surge. Oftentimes, damages are not all immediately visible, but requiring “looking behind the curtain”.
Repairing Electrical Components
We repair all damaged wiring, circuit breakers, outlets, and other electrical components. If an appliance has been damaged, we advise the homeowners on their options: repair or replacement.
Installing Surge Protection
To prevent future surge damage, we recommend and install surge protectors. These devices help to regulate the flow of electricity and protect against voltage spikes.
Upgrading an Electrical Installation
If your electrical installation experiences recurrent damages due to surges, your circuitry may be outdated and require capacity upgrades. In this case, we would submit a quote to your attention before proceeding with the necessary electrical repairs and upgrades. If this is the issue you are experiencing, please call All Star Electric San Antonio at (210) 391-0274 or contact us here.
Addressing Electrical Noise Issues
In a home electrical installation, electrical noise can indicate deeper electrical problems. This is a situation we met many times in the course of our 30-year activity as an electrical contractor in San Antonio. Often overlooked and misunderstood, electrical noise issues must be addressed by competent licensed electricians. Only professionals can perform the necessary electrical repairs.
What is Electrical Noise and How Does it Occur?
What we call electrical noise refers to unwanted disturbances in an electrical signal. It is often perceivable as a buzzing or humming sound coming from outlets, switches, and other electrical devices.
This noise can occur due to:
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): EMI is caused by the electromagnetic fields generated by appliances and devices, particularly those with motors or transformers. This interference can disrupt the normal flow of electricity, creating noise.
- Grounding Issues: Poor or improper grounding generates electrical noise. This is because when grounding is bad, electrical systems pick up and amplify interference from external sources.
- Loose Connections: Loose wiring or connections can act as antennas, picking up and transmitting electrical noise throughout an electrical installation
Why is Electrical Noise a Safety Problem?
Electrical noise is not just an annoyance; it can flag safety issues called for electrical repairs:
- Indication of Faulty Wiring: Persistent noise can indicate problems with wiring, which, if left unaddressed, can create electrical fires.
- Potential for Electrical Shocks: When electrical noise is attributable to grounding issues, the risk of electrical shocks increases.
- Damage to Sensitive Electronics: Electrical noise can interfere with and damage sensitive electronic equipment.
Electrical Repairs Addressing Electrical Noise Issues
To tackle electrical noise, our licensed electricians implement the following protocol:
- Conduct a Detailed Inspection: We start by inspecting the electrical system to locate the source of the noise, checking for loose connections, grounding issues, and signs of EMI.
- Repair or Replace Faulty Wiring: We repair or replace any faulty or loose wiring.
- Improve Grounding: We ensure that your electrical installation is properly grounded. This might involve upgrading the grounding system or repairing existing grounding connections.
- Optional step – Install EMI Filters: If we detect noise caused by electromagnetic interference, we may recommend installing EMI filters to suppress the interference.
Electrical Repairs Are Best Left to Licensed Electricians
In our 3 decades of operation as electrical contractor in San Antonio, we have developed protocols and methods to find out quickly the root cause of any electrical issue. We bring this experience at the service of our customers every time we are called to diagnose a problem and perform the electrical repairs necessary.
Our mission is to keep your home and business safe of hazards like electrical fires and shocks. Most electrical malfunctions can develop into serious issues if not found out and remedied properly. We do not advise inexperienced DIY enthusiasts to perform electrical repairs themselves, but to call a licensed electrician and let them do the job safely with a work guarantee. At All Start Electric, we offer a full 2-year guarantee on our work.
When you see something wrong with your electrical installation, don’t wait for more problems to occur. Just call All Star Electric San Antonio at (210) 391-0274 or contact us here. We will come to your home or business to look at the electrical repairs to be done, and give you a precise estimate of their cost. Our rates are very fair, and as mentioned above, we guarantee our work.
Additional resources
All Star Electric offers the reliability of an A+ rating at the San Antonio BBB
All Star Electric also has a 4.5 rating on Google.
