Most of us only think about our electrics when something stops working. But your home's wiring is quietly doing its job behind the walls every hour of the day, and it usually gives you some warning before a small problem becomes a big one.

Edinburgh has a lot of older housing stock, from Victorian tenements to post-war bungalows and 1970s semis. Much of it has been rewired at some point, but not always recently, and not always well. Here are the signs that mean it is time to get a qualified electrician to have a look.

Signs you should not ignore

A burning smell or scorch marks. If you notice a burning smell near a socket, switch or your consumer unit, or see brown or black marks, switch off the circuit if it is safe to do so and get it checked promptly. This is the most urgent sign on the list.
Sockets or switches that feel warm. A faceplate that is warm to the touch can mean a loose connection or an overloaded circuit.
Circuits that trip repeatedly. A trip switch or RCD that keeps going off is doing its job by protecting you. The question is why. It might be a faulty appliance, damp getting into a fitting, or a wiring fault. Resetting it again and again without finding the cause is not a fix.
Flickering or dimming lights. Occasional flickering can be down to a bulb, but persistent flickering or dimming when appliances switch on can point to loose connections or a circuit under strain.
Buzzing or crackling. Electricity should be silent. Buzzing from switches, sockets or the consumer unit needs attention.
Mild shocks or tingles. If you feel a tingle when touching an appliance, a tap or a metal fitting, stop using it and get it checked.

Signs your installation may be ageing

Some things are not emergencies, but they are good reasons to arrange an inspection:

An old fuse box with rewireable fuses rather than modern circuit breakers and RCD protection.
Old cable types, such as rubber or fabric-covered wiring, which you might spot in a loft or under floors.
Not enough sockets, leading to extension leads and adaptors everywhere.
No RCD protection on circuits for sockets or bathrooms.
Two-pin sockets or round-pin sockets in older properties.
No record of when the electrics were last inspected.

Times to call even if nothing seems wrong

Before buying or after moving in. An electrical inspection gives you a clear picture of the condition of the installation, so there are no surprises.
Before major renovation. Kitchen or bathroom refits, loft conversions and extensions are the ideal time to upgrade wiring, add circuits and bring things up to current standards.
When adding big new loads. An electric car charger, heat pump, electric shower or induction hob can add significant demand. An electrician should check that your supply and consumer unit can handle it.
After flooding or water leaks. Water and electrics do not mix. If a leak has reached wiring or fittings, have it checked before relying on it.
If you are a landlord. In Scotland, private landlords need regular electrical safety inspections of their properties. More on that in our guide to consumer units and EICRs.

What about smoke and heat alarms?

Since 2022, homes in Scotland have needed interlinked smoke and heat alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors where there is a fuel-burning appliance or flue. If you are not sure whether your home meets the standard, an electrician can check and advise. Some alarms are mains-wired and some are sealed battery units, and both can meet the rules if they are the right type.

What you can safely do yourself

You can reset a tripped breaker once, test RCDs using the test button, replace bulbs, and unplug appliances to see whether one is causing a trip. Beyond that, electrical work should be left to a qualified electrician. It is not worth the risk.

Choosing an electrician

Look for an electrician who explains what they find in plain English, gives a written quote, and provides certificates for the work they do. You should never feel pressured into work you do not understand.

The short version

Burning smells, warm sockets, repeated trips, buzzing and shocks need prompt attention. An old fuse box, old wiring or no inspection history are good reasons to book a check. And any time you are renovating or adding big new loads, call an electrician first.

If something on this list sounds familiar, send us a short description through the contact form and we will come back to arrange a visit.

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When to Call an Electrician: Warning Signs Every Edinburgh Home Should Know