The Electrical Safety Inspection Nobody Wants—Until They Need It

Most homeowners don’t think about their electrical system until something goes wrong. A light switch that sparks. A breaker that keeps tripping. An outlet that feels warm.

By then, you’re often dealing with an expensive repair—or worse, an electrical fire.

Electrical safety inspections find problems before they find you. In South Florida’s humid climate, with homes ranging from 1920s Coral Gables historic properties to modern Brickell high-rises, electrical systems face unique stresses that make regular inspections critical.

⚡ Quick Answers: Electrical Inspection FAQ

How often should I inspect my electrical system?

Every 3-5 years for routine maintenance. Immediate inspection if:

• You buy a home (pre-purchase inspection)
• Your home is over 25 years old
• You notice any warning signs (flickering, buzzing, burning smells)
• After a lightning strike or power surge
• Before major renovations
• You’re selling your home
• Your insurance company requests it

What exactly do you inspect?

Everything electrical:

• Main electrical panel and all breakers
• Sub-panels and disconnects
• Service entrance and weather head
• All visible wiring throughout the home
• Outlets, switches, and junction boxes
• GFCI protection (bathrooms, kitchen, garage, outdoor)
• AFCI protection (bedrooms, living areas)
• Grounding and bonding systems
• Smoke detectors and CO detectors
• Outdoor electrical (pool, AC, landscape lighting)
• Code compliance with current NEC and Florida Building Code

You receive a comprehensive written report with photos documenting all findings.

Will you find every problem?

We inspect everything accessible without demolition. This includes:

• ✅ All exposed wiring in attics, crawl spaces, garage
• ✅ Inside panels and junction boxes
• ✅ Testing all outlets and switches
• ✅ Infrared thermography for hidden hot spots

We cannot see:

• ❌ Wiring inside closed walls (unless we use thermal imaging)
• ❌ Underground conduit runs (without excavation)
• ❌ Inside finished ceilings

If we suspect hidden problems, we recommend further investigation with specialized equipment or targeted exploratory work.

Why Miami Homes Need Regular Electrical Inspections

The Florida Climate Factor

South Florida’s environment is harsh on electrical systems:

Humidity: Constant moisture causes:

• Corrosion on electrical connections
• Deterioration of wire insulation
• Rust on panel components
• Mold growth in junction boxes

Heat: Year-round AC usage means:

• Circuits running near capacity constantly
• Higher risk of connection failures from thermal expansion/contraction
• Accelerated aging of components

Storms: Hurricane season brings:

• Lightning strikes and surges
• Flooding that compromises ground-level electrical
• Wind damage to service drops and weather heads

The Aging Home Problem

Miami-Dade and Broward have thousands of homes from the 1960s-1980s boom. These homes often have:

Federal Pacific Panels: Known fire hazards with breakers that don’t trip Zinsco Panels: Similar dangerous failure-to-trip issues Aluminum Wiring: Installed 1965-1973, prone to overheating at connections Insufficient Capacity: 100-amp service that can’t handle modern loads Missing GFCI Protection: Code now requires GFCIs in many locations No AFCI Protection: Modern code requires AFCI breakers for most circuits

An inspection identifies these hazards before they cause fires.

The Home-Buying Scenario

If you’re buying a home in Miami, never skip the electrical inspection. Home inspectors do a basic electrical check, but they’re generalists, not electricians.

We regularly find serious problems home inspectors miss:

• Improper panel wiring (double-tapped breakers, reversed polarity)
• Aluminum wiring splice failures
• Missing ground wires
• Improper outdoor wiring
• Code violations that affect insurance coverage

A $300-500 electrical inspection can save you $10,000+ in unexpected repairs.

What Our Comprehensive Inspection Includes

1. Electrical Panel Deep Dive

We don’t just look at the panel—we open it and examine:

• Main breaker: Proper size, tight connections, no corrosion
• All branch breakers: Correct amp rating, proper termination, no burnt connections
• Bus bars: No signs of overheating, proper lubrication
• Grounding and bonding: Proper size, tight connections, code compliance
• Panel brand: Identify Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or other problematic brands
• Labeling: Circuits should be clearly labeled
• Available capacity: Room for additional circuits if needed

What we find: Double-tapped breakers (two wires on one breaker—a code violation), oversized breakers protecting undersized wire (fire hazard), corroded connections, and improperly installed breakers.

2. Wiring Evaluation

We trace visible wiring in:

• Attics
• Crawl spaces
• Garages
• Basements (rare in South Florida, but we check when present)
• Exposed areas

What we check:

• Wire type (copper vs. aluminum)
• Insulation condition (cracked, frayed, deteriorated)
• Proper wire size for circuit protection
• Junction box accessibility and proper covering
• Romex vs. conduit (conduit required in many areas)
• Knob-and-tube or cloth-wrapped wiring (needs replacement)

What we find: Splices buried in walls (code violation), undersized wire, deteriorated insulation exposing bare copper, and improper connections.

3. Outlet and Switch Testing

Every accessible outlet and switch gets tested:

• Voltage testing: Verify proper 120V
• Polarity testing: Hot and neutral correct
• Ground testing: Proper ground connection
• GFCI testing: All GFCIs trip and reset properly
• AFCI testing: Bedroom and living area AFCI breakers function
• Visual inspection: Cracks, discoloration, loose faceplate

What we find: Ungrounded outlets (two-prong), missing GFCIs where required, reversed polarity (hot/neutral swapped), loose connections, and worn-out devices.

4. Grounding System Verification

Proper grounding protects you from shocks and surges. We verify:

• Ground rod(s) present and properly installed
• Bonding between electrical system and water/gas lines
• Ground wire continuity throughout system
• Proper grounding in pools, spas, and outdoor equipment

What we find: Missing ground rods, improper bonding, disconnected ground wires, and code violations in pool grounding.

5. Service Entrance Inspection

The service entrance is where power enters your home from FPL:

• Weather head condition
• Service drop attachment
• Meter base security
• Service cable condition
• Clearances from windows, doors, and grade

What we find: Damaged weather heads allowing water intrusion, loose service cables, improperly secured meter bases, and clearance violations.

Specialized Inspections for Miami Properties

Condo and High-Rise Electrical Inspections

Condos have unique requirements:

• Individual unit panels vs. building systems
• Shared electrical in common areas
• Aluminum wiring common in older buildings
• MC cable or conduit (no Romex in plenum ceilings)
• HOA electrical standards

We understand condo electrical systems and what you actually control vs. building responsibility.

Historic Home Inspections (Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove)

Historic homes often have:

• Original knob-and-tube wiring (obsolete, needs replacement)
• Inadequate service (60-amp fuse boxes common)
• Cloth-wrapped wiring (deteriorating insulation)
• Ungrounded outlets throughout
• Historic preservation restrictions on modifications

We balance safety requirements with historic preservation guidelines.

Pool and Outdoor Electrical

South Florida homes with pools need special attention:

• Pool pump bonding and GFCI protection
• Underwater lighting ground-fault protection
• Spa and hot tub electrical compliance
• Outdoor kitchen circuits
• Landscape lighting safety

Pool electrical failures can be deadly. We verify every safety system.

The Inspection Process: What to Expect

Before the Inspection

You prepare:

• Clear access to electrical panel
• Clear access to attic/crawl space hatches
• Provide any previous electrical reports
• Note any electrical concerns you’ve noticed

We bring:

• Voltage testers and multimeters
• Outlet testers
• Infrared thermography camera (detects hot spots)
• Inspection mirrors and flashlights
• Camera for documentation

During the Inspection (2-3 Hours)

We systematically check:

1. Exterior: Service entrance, meter, weather head, outdoor outlets
2. Main Panel: Full panel inspection and testing
3. Interior: All rooms, outlets, switches, fixtures
4. Attic/Crawl Space: Visible wiring, junction boxes
5. Garage: Outlets, GFCI protection, ceiling fixtures
6. Special Areas: Pool equipment, outdoor kitchen, generators

You’re welcome to follow along and ask questions. We explain findings as we discover them.

After the Inspection

You receive a comprehensive written report including:

• Executive summary of critical issues
• Detailed findings for each system
• Photos documenting all problems
• Code violations requiring correction
• Recommended repairs prioritized by urgency
• Estimated scope for major issues

Common Problems We Find in Miami Homes

In Older Homes (Pre-1990):

• Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels
• Aluminum branch circuit wiring
• Two-prong ungrounded outlets
• Insufficient GFCI protection
• Undersized 100-amp service
• Deteriorated wire insulation

In All Homes:

• Double-tapped breakers
• Missing AFCI protection
• Loose wire connections
• Corroded panel components
• Improperly wired ceiling fans
• Missing smoke/CO detectors

In South Florida Specifically:

• Corroded outdoor connections from salt air
• Pool bonding violations
• Improper outdoor outlet installation
• Lightning damage
• Missing surge protection

When to Schedule an Immediate Inspection

Don’t wait if you notice:

• ⚠️ Burning smell from outlets or panel
• ⚠️ Buzzing or crackling sounds from outlets
• ⚠️ Warm or discolored outlets
• ⚠️ Frequent breaker trips
• ⚠️ Flickering lights throughout house
• ⚠️ Sparks when plugging in devices
• ⚠️ Light bulbs burning out frequently
• ⚠️ Shocked when touching appliances

These indicate active electrical problems requiring immediate attention.

Schedule Your Electrical Safety Inspection
Licensed electricians providing comprehensive inspections throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
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The Value of Peace of Mind

An electrical inspection provides:

• Safety: Identify fire hazards before disaster strikes
• Insurance: Some insurers require inspections for older homes
• Home Value: Certified safe electrical increases marketability
• Code Compliance: Ensure your home meets current standards
• Planning: Know what upgrades you’ll need and when
• Negotiation: Buyers can request seller repairs based on findings

Most importantly: You’ll sleep better knowing your family is safe.

Expert Electrical Inspections Throughout Miami

Serving Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Brickell, Pinecrest, Kendall, Homestead, and all of Miami-Dade and Broward.