Emergency Electrical Repair Services

While these situations still require professional attention, they don't typically pose immediate safety risks and can be addressed during regular business hours:

• • Single non-essential circuit not working – If you lose power to one room but there's no burning smell or other danger signs
• • Light fixture or outlet not working – Individual fixtures or outlets that stop working without other symptoms
• • Frequent but non-critical breaker trips – Breakers that trip occasionally but reset successfully (though this should be investigated soon)
• • Dimming lights when appliances run – While this indicates an electrical issue, it's usually not immediately dangerous
• • Installing new fixtures or outlets – New installations can be scheduled during regular hours

When in doubt, it's always better to call and describe your situation. I can help you determine whether it's a true emergency or something that can safely wait.

Living in Northumberland County, Durham Region, and the Peterborough area brings unique electrical challenges. Here are the most common emergency scenarios I respond to and what causes them:

Storm-Related Damage

The March 2025 ice storm demonstrated just how vulnerable our electrical infrastructure becomes during severe weather. Over 20mm of ice accumulation destroyed power lines and brought down tree limbs weighted with ice, breaking over 1,900 poles region-wide. The storm left 63,000 Hydro One customers without power across Peterborough and Northumberland County, with some rural properties remaining dark for 7 to 10 days. Water-access-only properties took weeks to restore. This event, described as the worst since the 1998 ice storm, created more emergency electrical work than available contractors could handle.

Service mast damage from ice accumulation represents the most common storm emergency I respond to. Heavy ice loading pulls weatherheads away from buildings, breaks point-of-attachment hardware, and severs overhead service wires. Without proper repairs by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, Hydro One cannot reconnect power. ESA inspection remains mandatory even during major storm events, though ESA extends hours and prioritizes emergency inspections for 24-hour turnaround during widespread outages.

Lightning strikes damage electrical panels, surge through wiring, and destroy electronics even when surge protection is installed. The May 2022 derecho windstorm caused widespread destruction across Ontario. Strong winds, particularly common near Lake Ontario, damage overhead service lines, weatherheads, and outdoor electrical equipment. Spring runoff and heavy rains cause basement flooding, affecting electrical panels and creating serious electrocution hazards when water meets energized equipment.

Animal Damage

The research notes that animal damage to electrical systems is most common in spring and fall. Squirrels and raccoons are surprisingly destructive culprits in Northumberland County. Squirrels frequently chew through outdoor wiring and get into attics where they damage electrical cables. Raccoons damage weatherheads and service entrances while trying to gain attic access. Mice and rats chew through wire insulation inside walls, creating fire hazards and causing circuits to fail. Birds sometimes nest in outdoor electrical boxes or weatherheads, creating hazards and potential failures. Any scratching or movement sounds in walls or attics should be addressed immediately before animals damage wiring.

Electrical Panel Failures

Panel emergencies require immediate professional attention. Overheating panels, often caused by overloaded circuits, poor connections, or failing breakers, show warning signs including hot panel covers, burning smells, or discolored breakers. Main breaker failures cause complete power loss or dangerous arcing, more common in older panels. Water intrusion threatens basement panels vulnerable to flooding and improperly sealed outdoor panels.

Federal Pioneer Stab-Lok panels represent a documented fire hazard. Canadian testing conducted in 2020 demonstrated a 23% failure rate for these panels installed in millions of Canadian homes from the 1950s through 1990s. The Ontario New Home Warranty Program issued a recall in October 1997 for specific 15A models, but this barely addressed the total installations remaining in service. Insurance companies increasingly refuse coverage or demand immediate replacement, creating urgent demand. These panels can fail catastrophically without warning.

Overloaded Circuits and Wiring Failures

Modern electrical demands on older wiring systems create emergency situations. Overloaded circuits cause fires, particularly common in older homes where circuit capacity hasn't kept pace with modern usage. Aluminum wiring installed during the 1965 to 1975 copper shortage affects an estimated 55% of homes built during that era. The problem lies at connection points where thermal expansion and contraction loosens terminations and oxidation increases resistance. Without regular inspection and proper remediation, connections can overheat and fail. Knob-and-tube wiring found in pre-1950s homes throughout Northumberland County features cloth or rubber insulation that becomes brittle over decades. These systems lack ground wires entirely and were never designed for modern electrical loads, making them prone to sudden failure and fire risks.

Water Heater and HVAC Electrical Failures

Major appliances can experience electrical emergencies that affect your home's safety:

• • Water heater electrical failures – Can cause power loss, circuit damage, or in worst cases, pose fire hazards.
• • Furnace or air conditioner electrical issues – Especially problematic during extreme weather when these systems are most critical.
• • Heat pump failures – Common in our area's climate, electrical problems with heat pumps can leave you without heating or cooling.

While not all electrical emergencies can be prevented, many can be avoided with proper maintenance, awareness, and timely upgrades. Here's how to reduce your risk:

Regular Maintenance

• • Annual electrical inspections – Professional inspections can identify problems before they become emergencies, especially important for homes over 25 years old
• • Test GFCI outlets monthly – Push the test button and ensure the outlet trips. GFCIs prevent electrocution and should be tested regularly
• • Panel inspection – Check your electrical panel for signs of rust, corrosion, burning, or unusual warmth
• • Address flickering lights promptly – Don't ignore warning signs like flickering, dimming, or lights that vary in brightness

Upgrade Outdated Systems

• • Replace Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels immediately – These recalled panels are fire hazards
• • Upgrade aluminum wiring connections – Have all aluminum wiring connections inspected and upgraded with proper connectors
• • Replace two-prong outlets – Ungrounded outlets lack critical safety protection
• • Upgrade to AFCI protection – Arc-fault circuit interrupters prevent electrical fires from damaged or deteriorating wiring

Weather Preparation

• • Trim trees near power lines – Keep branches away from service lines to your home, especially important before ice storm season
• • Secure weatherheads and service entrances – Ensure your service entrance is properly secured and weatherproofed
• • Install whole-home surge protection – Protects against lightning strikes and power surges
• • Waterproof basement panels – If your panel is in a basement prone to flooding, consider relocation or proper protection

Wildlife Prevention

• • Seal attic and crawlspace entry points – Prevent squirrels and rodents from accessing areas with electrical wiring
• • Install weatherhead guards – Protect service entrances from raccoons and squirrels
• • Address signs of animal activity quickly – If you hear animals in walls or attic, address it before they damage wiring