Regular EICRs for homeowners are recommended to prevent hazards such as electrical fires and to avoid injury caused by electric shocks.
The recommendation is for homeowners to conduct an EICR at their property every 10 years. Although regular EICRs are not legally mandated, the inspection is a useful way to keep an eye on the electrical systems at your home in Emersons Green, Bristol. A regular EICR not only protects your family and property, you can actually save money in the long run by repairing or upgrading prior to costly, emergency repair work. An EICR at a 3 bedroom property in Emersons Green, Bristol costs between £160- £250 but this does not include the cost of remedial work you might need doing. MES Electrical Services work with landlords and homeowners on a regular basis to conduct EICR’s to help keep households safe.
What happens during an EICR?
A qualified electrician will conduct visual checks followed by electrical testing on the consumer unit, lighting, outlets and sockets. Outdoor electrical systems will also need to be checked. Any issues found are recorded and presented to the homeowner in the certificate issued after the inspection. We recently visited a home on Elmtree Avenue, Emersons Green, Bristol and were shocked at the “creative” wiring at the 3 bed, semi detached, late 90's built home. The previous owner had used a single outdoor light fitting circuit to supply outdoor sockets, power for the garage and garage lighting which is extremely dangerous and not to mention, against nearly all Building Regulations. A first for the team at MES Electrical Services was finding non-fire-rated downlights installed internally...with plant pots used as a substitute for fire hoods. Yep - actual plant pots!
What are the benefits of an EICR Emersons Green?
An EICR will highlight areas of wear and tear which is common for electrical cabling, typically concealed under flooring and behind walls. A common issue electricians find during an EICR is loose wiring or overheating in wires which is a major contributor to electrical fires. Overall, homeowners benefit from an EICR as electrical upgrades will ensure compliance with safety standards and provide options for future upgrades. The EICR at Elmtree Avenue was carried out in the nic of time as outdoor lighting circuits aren't designed to carry the load of sockets and garage supplies. The EICR meant homeowners could avoid nuisance tripping and cables becoming overloaded and overheating.
Why work with MES Electrical Services in Emersons Green, Bristol?
As experienced electricians, we can safely say that an EICR is not just a certificate, it identifies potentially dangerous installations that are not always visible to homeowners. If you’ve recently moved into a property or are unsure about the condition of electrical installations at your home, it’s always worth having them professionally inspected.
We don’t just hand over the EICR certificate and leave, the team has the skills and expertise to carry out remedial work and suggest improvements. For the home on Elmtree Avenue, we suggested proper RCD protection for all outdoor sockets to reduce the fire risk. After getting over the shock of seeing plant pots used as fire hoods, we explained the benefits of fire rated downlights which meet electrical and building regulations while preventing the spread of fires between floors.
Feel free to contact Marc on 07929 346 089 to arrange an EICR Emersons Green.
