5 Signs Your Home Needs Rewiring (And How to Tell Before It’s Too Late)

How to when it's time to rewire your house and what signs to look for before things get dangerous.

Let’s be real: rewiring your home isn’t as exciting as buying a new couch or air fryer. But when lights flicker for no reason, your sockets smell burnt, or you feel a zap plugging in your phone, it’s time to stop ignoring the signs.

Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of electrical fires in the UK. At Volt Electrical Solutions Ltd, we’ve helped countless homeowners catch these issues early, before they turn dangerous.

Here are 5 key signs your home may need a rewire:

Your Lights Are Flickering

If your lights dim or flicker across several rooms (and not just one dodgy bulb), your wiring might be outdated or overloaded. This can cause serious damage to your appliances and increase fire risk. A certified electrician can quickly spot the cause and advise on next steps.

Your Fuseboard/Consumer Unit Has Become Your Bestfriend

Tripped breakers now and then? Fine. But if you're resetting it like a routine, your system’s crying out for help. Modern homes run more devices than older wiring was built for such as laptops, TVs, microwaves, chargers, and more.

“If your breakers trip frequently, it’s your home’s way of saying the wiring isn’t keeping up.”

You might need a new consumer unit or a full rewire.

There’s a Burnt Smell but No Toast

A burning or fishy smell near sockets or switches usually means wires are overheating. If you notice this, shut off power to the area and call a qualified, insured and reliable electrician ASAP (that's where we come in). Delaying could lead to melted insulation or even an electrical fire.

Your Outlets Look Scorched

Brown or black marks on outlets usually mean electrical arcing or something has potentially short-circuited. They’re not “just dirt” they’re signs of serious danger. Don’t ignore them. Get an inspection ASAP (by us, of course).

You’re Getting Zapped Just Plugging in Your Phone

If you feel a zap when plugging in a charger or touching an appliance, that’s not static, it’s potentially a fault. Faulty earthing conductors ("grounding" for our non UK folks) or damaged circuits can send live current where it doesn’t belong.

Don’t Wait for Sparks to Fly

If your home is more than 30 years old or you’re noticing any of these signs, book a certified electrical inspection. Rewiring keeps your home safe, energy-efficient, and insurance-compliant.

Ready to upgrade your wiring the safe way?

Contact Volt Electrical Solutions Ltd today for a certified inspection or a full rewiring quote.

✅ Safe | ✅ Professional | ✅ Fully Compliant | ✅ Insured