Electrical faults and repairs in Broxbourne and East Hertfordshire

What counts as an electrical fault?

An electrical fault is anything in your wiring, sockets, switches, lights or fuse board that is not working as it should. Common examples include:

• a switch on the fuse board that keeps tripping, or will not reset
• sockets or lights that have stopped working in one part of the building
• lights that flicker, dim or buzz
• a socket, switch or plug that feels warm, looks scorched or crackles
• a mild shock or tingle from a switch, appliance or metal fitting
• an outside light, extractor fan or electric shower that has stopped working

Some faults are simple, such as a worn switch. Others point to a problem hidden in the wiring, which is why it helps to have a qualified electrician find the cause rather than replacing parts on guesswork. If you are not sure whether your problem counts, describe it in your enquiry and the electrician can tell you.

What should I do if I smell burning or see sparks or smoke?

Treat it as an emergency and do not wait for a call back. If you can reach it safely, switch off the main switch on your fuse board, which cuts the power to the whole property. Do not touch anything that is hot, scorched or sparking, and keep everyone away from it.

If there is a fire, or smoke you cannot account for, get everyone out and call 999. Do not use water on an electrical fire.

If the power has gone off across your street or area rather than just in your property, call 105. It is the free national number for power cuts and puts you through to your local network operator.

Is there anything I can safely check first?

Two checks are safe for anyone and sometimes find the cause. First, look at your fuse board. If a switch has tripped to the off position, try switching it back on once. If it trips again straight away, leave it off.

Second, a faulty appliance is a common reason for tripping. Unplug everything on the affected circuit, reset the switch, then plug items back in one at a time. If the switch trips when a particular appliance goes back in, keep that appliance unplugged and mention it to the electrician.

Beyond that, please leave the work to an electrician. Do not remove covers from sockets, switches or the fuse board, and do not replace a fuse with anything other than the correct rating. Electrical work carries a real risk of shock and fire, and some repairs in homes must be certified under building regulations.

What should I tell the electrician?

A clear description saves time on both sides. Helpful details include:

• what has stopped working, and whether it affects one room, one circuit or the whole property
• whether a switch on the fuse board has tripped, and which one, if it is labelled
• when the problem started and anything that happened just before, such as a storm, a leak or a new appliance
• whether the fault comes and goes or is constant
• roughly how old the fuse board looks, and a photo of it if you can take one safely
• whether the property is your home, a rented home or business premises

What happens after I send an enquiry?

With your consent, we pass your enquiry to one local electrician who covers your postcode. We never send it to a list of firms, so you will not be chased by several companies. The electrician contacts you to talk through the fault, arranges a visit if one is needed and agrees any price with you before starting work. Whether you go ahead is up to you.

Sending an enquiry is free and there is no obligation. We are an independent enquiry service, not an electrical contractor, and the electrician may pay us a fee for the introduction.

Can businesses send an enquiry too?

Yes. Shops, offices, workshops, restaurants and other business premises can send an enquiry in the same way as households. Tell us the type of premises and whether the fault is affecting trading, lighting in a public area or equipment you rely on, so the electrician understands what is at stake.

Which areas do you cover?

We pass enquiries to an electrician covering Hoddesdon and Broxbourne, Cheshunt and Waltham Cross, Ware, Hertford, Enfield, Harlow and Waltham Abbey. If you are not sure whether your postcode is included, send your enquiry anyway and we will let you know if we cannot help.