Electrical troubleshooting in Colorado Springs: let's figure it out together.
Some electrical problems have a simple fix you can safely try yourself. Others are a sign of something bigger. Here's how to tell the difference before you book a visit.
Like a Celtic knot, every connection matters
- Free, honest advice
- Safe homeowner checks only
- Call us when it's more
- ✓A breaker that keeps tripping
- ✓A dead outlet
- ✓Flickering lights
- ✓A chirping smoke alarm
- ✓Part of the house without power
What's going on, and what to try
Tap a problem to see what's safe to check yourself and when it's time to call. Never open your panel cover or work on wiring yourself.
A breaker trippedSafe to check+
- Unplug or switch off what was running on that circuit.
- Push the breaker fully to OFF, then back to ON. A tripped breaker often sits in the middle.
- Plug things back in one at a time to see what trips it.
- It trips again right away or with nothing plugged in.
- It trips more than once in a week.
- The breaker feels hot or won't reset.
An outlet is deadSafe to check+
- Look for a GFCI outlet with Test and Reset buttons nearby, often in a bathroom, kitchen, garage or outside. Press Reset.
- Check for a tripped breaker.
- Try a switch nearby. Some outlets are controlled by a wall switch.
- Several outlets in different rooms are dead.
- The GFCI won't reset or trips again.
- The outlet is discolored, cracked or warm.
Lights flickerSafe to check+
- Try a new bulb and make sure it's screwed in snug.
- If it's on a dimmer, check that the bulb is labeled dimmable.
- Notice if it happens when something big turns on, like the AC or a dryer.
- Lights flicker in more than one room.
- Lights dim hard when the AC or a big appliance starts.
- You hear buzzing or crackling.
A smoke alarm keeps chirpingSafe to check+
- Check the date on the back. Alarms older than 10 years need to be replaced.
- Replace the backup battery if it has one.
- Press and hold the test button to reset it.
- It keeps chirping with a new battery.
- Your alarms are more than 10 years old.
- You have missing alarms in bedrooms or on a level.
Half the house lost powerCall right away+
- Check if your neighbors lost power too.
- Check your main breaker and any large two-pole breakers.
- Turn off sensitive electronics until power is fully back.
- Lights are dim in some rooms and extra bright in others. This can mean a loose neutral and needs attention now.
- Only part of your home has power and your neighbors are fine.
An outlet or switch is warm, buzzing or smells hotStop and call+
- Stop using it. Turn off the breaker for that circuit if you can do it safely.
- Don't plug anything back in until it's checked.
- Always. Heat, buzzing and burning smells are signs of a loose or failing connection. If you see smoke or fire, get out and call 911.
A trip is a symptom, not the problem
If one thing is tripping, there may be something bigger going on behind the walls. Like a Celtic knot, a problem on one side of the home can show up on the other. You just saved the cost of a service call, so why not put it toward a whole-home safety check and know for sure?
Hard-to-find problem? No open-ended hourly bill.
Every diagnostic starts with a capped Level 1 visit, so you know the most it can cost before we arrive. Nothing goes further without your OK. Walkthroughs for upgrades and new projects are always free. If something isn't working, needs a repair or needs an inspection, that's a diagnostic visit.
- ✓Most problems are found and explained in this visit
- ✓A heads up at the 1.5 hour mark if it is still hiding
- ✓We stop at 2 hours. Never more without your OK
- ✓Notes on everything we tested and ruled out
- ✓Only with your approval after Level 1
- ✓The team reads the Level 1 notes, so nothing is retested
- ✓Two sets of hands find stubborn problems faster
- ✓Scheduled at a time that works for you
When to stop and call right away
This page is general guidance for simple checks only. Never remove your panel cover or work on wiring. When in doubt, call a licensed electrician.
Goes great together
If a problem keeps coming back, these services often solve the root cause.
Panel Upgrades
Frequent trips and flickering lights can mean an older or overloaded panel is due for an upgrade.
See Panel Upgrades →Powerworx Surge Protection
Surges can damage electronics and appliances. Whole-home protection at the panel helps guard them.
See Surge Protection →Annual Care Plan
A yearly check looks for loose or overheating connections before they become a problem.
See Annual Care Plan →Troubleshooting questions
Don't see yours? Call 719-659-4715 and talk to someone who actually knows electrical.
What does a diagnostic visit cost?+
We give you the Level 1 rate when you book, and the visit is capped at 2 hours, so there are no surprises. Any repair we find gets 15% off, up to $150.
Is a diagnostic visit the same as a free walkthrough?+
No. Walkthroughs for upgrades and new projects are always free. If something isn't working, needs a repair or needs an inspection, that's a diagnostic visit.
What if you don't find it in 2 hours?+
We stop and walk you through what we tested and ruled out. If you want to keep going, we quote and schedule a Level 2 return visit with two electricians and specialty equipment.
Is it safe to reset a breaker?+
Yes, once. If it trips again, stop resetting it. A breaker that keeps tripping is protecting you from a problem that needs to be found.
Why does my GFCI keep tripping?+
It could be moisture, a worn-out device or a real ground fault somewhere on the circuit. If it trips again after a reset, have it checked.
Can you diagnose over the phone?+
We can often point you in the right direction over the phone. If it needs a visit, we'll send an electrician to find the cause.
What if I can't find the problem?+
That's what we're here for. Our electricians use testing equipment to track down problems that can't be seen.
Still not sure? We'll find it.
Book a diagnostic visit and an electrician will track down the cause.