All electrical installations will deteriorate with use and age. This means that they should be tested and inspected at regular intervals to ensure that they remain in a satisfactory condition to enable continued use.
These safety checks are often referred to as a “periodic inspection and testing” and once completed, you will be issued with an Electrical Installation and Condition Report or EICR.
There are a number of important reasons for a periodic inspection. It will reveal if there are electrical equipment or circuits that are overloaded, if there are any potential fire hazards or electric shock risks.
During the inspection, any defective electrical work will be identified, and any lack of bonding or earthing will be highlighted. Tests will also be performed on fixed electrical equipment and wiring to check that everything is safe.
A periodic inspection should be performed every ten years for owner occupied homes, every five years for rental homes, three years for caravans and annually for swimming pools.
Periodic inspections should also be carried out every time a property is being made ready for letting or if you’re selling or buying a previously occupied property.
Any periodic inspections and testing should only be carried out by an electrically competent person. A professional electrician will check the current condition of your electrics against the latest UK standards for the safety of electrical installations.
During the inspection, the electrician will check the adequacy of bonding and earthing, and examine the suitability of your switchgear and control gear.
For example, you may have an old fuse box that has cast iron switches, a wooden back or a mix of both that need to be replaced.
The electrician will also check the serviceability of sockets, light fittings, and switches.
These items may need to be updated or replaced, such as round light switches, black switches, skirting board mounted sockets, older round pin sockets or cables with a fabric coating that are hanging from your ceiling roses to your light fittings.
It is also important that the condition and type of your wiring system is checked.
For example, you may have cables that are coated in black rubber that were actually phased out during the 1960s. Older properties may have cables coated in fabric or lead that are even older and need to be upgraded to the longer lasting PVC used in modern cables.
Once the inspection has been completed, the competent person will issue the Electrical Installation Condition Report.
This will detail any observed deterioration, damage, dangerous conditions, defects or any non compliances with the current safety standards that could pose a threat.
If there is anything potentially dangerous or hazardous, the overall condition of your electrical installation will be declared “unsatisfactory.” This will mean remedial action will be required immediately to remove any of the risks that could harm the property occupants.
If you are in need of an EICR, you can rest assured that all our recommended electricians are equipped to help you.
They can not only perform the inspection necessary for the EICR but also conduct any necessary repairs to ensure that your property is free of hazardous electrics.
If you’d like to speak to our recommended electrician in your area, you can find them here.
What we thought to be a simple fault turned out to be a big investigation to find the fault, then fix it. It wasnt easy as the house is a nightmare, as we previously discovered! However, Alfie was great. Very diligent and hard working. He solved the issue and I would definitely highly recommend him. We would certainly use his services again.
Amanda
A warm thank you to GES, especially Alfie who discussed the job and suggested solutions at our pre-meet phone call. Alfie arrived on site within time specified, was very, professional, respectful, polite and helpful. I really appreciated being briefed at the condition of the electrics and shown areas of concern. Due to the water damage in my outbuilding together with poor wiring and a dated circuit board, Alfie came up with a solution that was aesthetically pleasing, affordable, and more importantly, meets with current regulations. Alfie also suggested cosmetic and security solutions to the front facade of my house that I may wish to consider at some point in the future and without the hard sell! If you want that piece of mind at a competitive price, then I highly recommend GES for all electrical works.
Denise
We chose Alfie because of his extensive experience, which met our needs, and his competitive pricing. We found him to be very professional, friendly and approachable. Nothing was to much trouble and he went the extra mile to make things safe in our home. He was easy to contact and solved any problem that we might put his way. He was very reliable. We recommend Alfie to anybody that has electrical needs, he is second to none. Thank you Alfie !
Lynne
Had 3 double sockets installed in my conservatory and an extension to my outdoor lighting. Alfie and his team did an impeccable job, kept everywhere neat and tidy and the finished work was first class Thanks again
Joyce
Very pleased with the service. The job was completed promptly and efficiently and I would have no hesitation in using Greenhithe Electrical Sevices again.
Alison
Excellent service. Friendly, expert knowledge and very polite about by my botched foray into DIY electrics (never to be repeated). Found all the fault issues and dealt with them expertly. Would highly recommend.
Sam Jenny
I had a really great experience with Alfie extremely polite extremely decent and honest gentleman I couldn't have asked for a better electrician to come out really appreciating fantastic bloke and I would recommend it to anyone.
Peter Stanley
Alfie did a lot of work for us from the beginning when we just got our house, he helped us rewire the whole house and put switches and sockets exactly where we wanted them. He also helped us with all the lights and all other small electrical work. We will be calling him again for sure!
Shaun Scott
Fast and amazing service from GES. Alife was really helpful and easy to talk to. Definitely recommend.
Katie George
Excellent professional service would highly recommend. Very helpful and quick responses to all questions. Extremely happy with kitchen LED downlights and LED strips installed.
Jamie Evans
Great service,managed to speak to Sean out of hours,arrived on time,very helpful,would recommend and use in the future
Carol Cookson
Had a Currys delivery of a new cooker, their engineer could not install it as said there was an Earth Problem, Phoned in before 10am and electrician was here at 3pm. Inspected and found no fault with wiring, proceeded to install new cooker for me. No Hassle, Fast, Polite Safe COVID Secure Service, Professional Service. would definitely Recommend and Definitely use them again if need an Electrician Again. Thank You .
Stuart North
I called on behalf of my infirm brother in law, was called back after a little time and asked them to speak directly with my brother in law which they did, and arranged an appointment for he next day, appointment confirmed and work carried out . A very good outcome to the problem and this company are on my brother in laws preferred list. Well done.
Graham Nixon
Great service. Put up new light fittings, changed light sockets, and put light and sockets in cupboard. Very competitive and would definitely recommend. Electrician was very friendly and pleasant. Will be using again for some outside lights
Agnes McQuade
Excellent service, fast response high quality work and reasonable prices Happy to recommend Neil and his team
Peter MacDonald
Great service, very professional and polite.definitely use again.
Manda
Superb service. Professional & friendly. Very impressed and will be using Billy again. Great prices too. Highly recommended. Much appreciated.
Patrick James Stephens
Neil came to look at job. Fitting outside electric junction box. Gave me a great price and said he could do it right away. Half hour later he was gone. Great service. Recommend to anyone
Danny
Peter was brilliant. Efficient, great communicator and very reasonable. Highly recommened!
Andrew McIndoe
I found Safespark Electrical Services through My Trusted Expert. I read previous reviews & they were all 100% & within 5 minutes of chatting online regarding my query Leon called me & an appointment was made. The young guy ( really sorry but I’ve forgotten his name ) turned up at my Mums house at the said time, he was so polite & was very efficient. I would definitely recommend these guys, brilliant service.
Tina Jackson
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