Home electrical problems rarely announce themselves loudly. Sometimes it’s a light that flickers when you turn on the microwave. Other times, it’s a breaker that trips every time someone uses a hair dryer in the bathroom.
And in the worst cases, it’s a burning smell you can’t quite locate.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Electrical issues are among the most common problems Michigan homeowners deal with—especially in older homes across SE Michigan.
And according to a recent Hire It Done episode with **Josh Young of **Voltron Power, most homeowners are sitting on electrical risks without realizing it.
Josh has been a licensed, insured master electrician for more than 15 years. His company, Voltron Power, LLC, serves Waterford, Oakland County, and surrounding areas, specializing in electrical troubleshooting, rewiring, panel upgrades, generator installation, lighting, and full electrical solutions for remodeling projects.
He sees firsthand how quickly electrical issues turn unsafe when ignored.
This blog breaks down why an electrical inspection is one of the smartest decisions you can make—and how it protects your home, your family, and your peace of mind.
Why Electrical Inspections Matter
Most homeowners only call an electrician when something stops working. But by the time you notice a problem, it may already be dangerous behind the walls. Flickering lights, scorched outlets, warm switches, and tripping breakers are symptoms—not causes.
Josh explains it simply:
“Circuit breakers are there to protect the wire from overheating and catching on fire.” — Josh Young, Voltron Power
If your breaker trips often, it’s doing its best to protect you from a potential fire. But frequent tripping means the system is being pushed beyond what it was designed to handle.
A full electrical inspection helps you identify these issues early, before they turn into emergencies.
Hidden Dangers Behind the Walls
Electrical danger is rarely obvious. Most problems grow quietly inside the walls, outlets, and panel—areas you never see.
1. Aging Panels That Can’t Keep Up
A huge percentage of SE Michigan homes still operate on 100-amp service. Decades ago, that was enough. Today, with modern appliances, chargers, lighting, and electronics, it’s nowhere near adequate.
Josh shares that while some households can manage, most families need 150–200 amps for safe and comfortable usage.
“A hundred amps is kind of obsolete… If you’re going to upgrade, it makes sense to go to 200.” — Josh Young, Voltron Power
Upgrading your electrical panel increases capacity, reduces overloads, and helps your home handle everyday usage safely.
2. Bathroom Circuits That Overload Instantly
If your home was built before 2000, your bathroom outlets may share circuits with lights and other outlets. That alone is a problem, but when you add appliances like:
-
Hair dryers
-
Curling irons
-
Straighteners
…you create one of the biggest electrical draws in the entire house.
Josh explains:
“A hairdryer exceeds the wattage of a 15-amp circuit. You’re automatically above the circuit’s capacity.” — Josh Young
This is why bathrooms are notorious for tripping breakers—and why your electrician may recommend a dedicated 20-amp circuit.
3. Overloaded Holiday Lighting and Exterior Circuits
Michigan’s winter and holiday season adds another layer of risk. Outdoor outlets often tie into interior circuits, and most homeowners don’t know how easily these get overloaded.
“You end up overloading it and tripping the circuit breaker or the GFI.” — Josh Young
LED holiday lighting uses less energy, but when combined with other exterior electrical use, it still adds up quickly.
4. Deteriorating Outdoor Service Lines
Michigan weather is brutal on electrical components exposed to:
-
Snow
-
Ice
-
Rain
-
Sun
-
Moisture
Josh points out that many homeowners don’t realize their outdoor service lines are deteriorating until something stops working—or worse.
A professional inspection helps identify issues long before they become unsafe.
What an Electrical Inspection Actually Includes
Most homeowners aren’t sure what an electrician checks during an inspection. It’s more comprehensive than you think—and it covers far more than “does the outlet work?”
A full Voltron Power inspection includes:
Circuit Load Evaluation
Your electrician checks how much power each circuit is drawing and compares that to what the wiring can safely handle.
Panel Safety Check
This includes looking for:
-
Burn marks
-
Corrosion
-
Loose wiring
-
Outdated or failing breakers
These warning signs often appear before any visible symptom in the home.
Bathroom and Kitchen Circuit Review
Two of the highest-risk areas in any home.
Exterior Electrical Assessment
This covers outdoor outlets, holiday lighting usage, and the home’s main service connection.
Troubleshooting Recurring Breaker Trips
If your home regularly loses power in the same area, this tells an electrician a lot about the system’s limitations.
Tailored Recommendations
The key benefit of an inspection is professional guidance on what to fix, what to upgrade, and what to monitor over time.
Josh’s approach is simple: homeowners deserve clear, friendly, no-pressure explanations they can understand.
How an Inspection Protects You
A thorough inspection does more than confirm that your outlets and circuits are working. It protects the three things that matter most: safety, comfort, and long-term savings.
Here’s how:
It reduces fire risk.
Most electrical fires begin with wiring that overheats quietly over time. Inspections identify the conditions that lead to overheating before they turn dangerous.
It prevents unexpected failures.
If your home is tripping breakers regularly—or you’re relying on space heaters in cold rooms—you’re likely pushing circuits beyond their limit.
It extends the life of your appliances.
Overloaded or unstable power damages today’s sensitive electronics.
It prepares your home for upgrades.
Whether you want a:
-
Kitchen remodel
-
Finished basement
-
Backup generator
-
EV charger
-
Hot tub
-
Outdoor lighting
…an inspection tells you if your current system can handle the load.
It increases home value.
Electrical upgrades remain one of the most attractive improvements to Michigan homebuyers.
When You Should Schedule an Inspection
A quick way to decide whether it’s time for one: if you have to think about whether you need it, you probably do.
But here are the strongest indicators:
-
Your home is more than 30 years old
-
You’ve recently remodeled or are planning to
-
You experience occasional flickering
-
Breakers trip regularly
-
Your outlets feel warm
-
You use multiple space heaters
-
You’re adding holiday or outdoor lighting
-
You’re installing a generator or EV charger
Josh shared that many homeowners call him only after they’ve dealt with the inconvenience of constant trips. But the real fix begins with understanding the entire system—not just the one outlet that failed.
Why Voltron Power Is a Top Choice in SE Michigan
Based in Waterford and serving Oakland County and nearby communities, Voltron Power, LLC is known for:
-
Reliable scheduling
-
Clear explanations
-
Fair pricing
-
Expert troubleshooting
-
Clean, professional work
-
Strong safety standards
During the show, Adam shared that homeowners consistently call Josh back because he’s the only electrician who answers the phone quickly, shows up on time, and delivers excellent work at a fair price.
For Michigan homeowners who want licensed, insured, experienced, and trustworthy electrical services, Voltron Power is a top recommendation.
Final Thoughts
Electrical issues often start small—an outlet that warms up, a breaker that trips, a light that dims when the microwave runs. But those small signs can indicate larger risks behind the walls. An electrical inspection is one of the most affordable and effective ways to protect your home long-term.
It gives you clarity. It gives you safety. And most importantly, it gives you peace of mind.
According to Josh Young, it’s one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make—and based on the problems he sees every day across SE Michigan, he’s absolutely right.
If you want your home to be safer and better prepared for the way you live today, a professional electrical inspection is the perfect place to start.
———————
About Hire It Done:
Hire It Done is a trusted resource for navigating the home improvement process, led by industry expert Adam Helfman. Focused on educating homeowners, Hire It Done provides key questions to ask contractors, especially those they may avoid answering. Through its weekly national radio show, Hire It Done offers practical advice and connects homeowners with elite contractors for a hassle-free experience. The platform has become a go-to for homeowners seeking expert guidance and reliable contractors.
Website: https://hireitdone.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HireItDone
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone
About Adam Helfman:
Adam Helfman has been Metro Detroit's trusted home improvement expert for over 35 years. As the founder of Hire It Done, he’s connected homeowners with top-quality contractors for two decades. Adam's popular Saturday morning home improvement radio show has been a go-to resource for Metro Detroiters for 18 years.
With his extensive industry experience, he knows the critical questions homeowners need to ask. Including those contractors often avoid. Tune in to hear how you can hire the right pro and avoid costly mistakes.
Connect with Adam Helfman.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.helfman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helfystyle/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/
Tags: