When to Call a 24 Hour Electrician (and When It Can Wait)
It is late, something electrical has gone wrong and you are wondering whether to call out an electrician now or wait. Calling too late can be dangerous, and calling when you did not need to can be an unnecessary expense. Use this guide to decide.
Call a 24 hour electrician straight away if…
- There is a burning smell from a socket, switch, appliance or the consumer unit.
- You can see sparks, smoke or scorch marks.
- A breaker or RCD trips again immediately after you reset it, with nothing plugged in.
- Water has reached electrical fittings, for example after a leak or flood.
- Sockets or switches are hot, buzzing or crackling.
- Exposed or damaged wiring is within reach, particularly with children or pets in the home.
- Half the house has lost power and your neighbours still have theirs.
In all of these, switch off at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so and leave the circuit off. For more on burning smells, see our burning smell service page.
It can usually wait until morning if…
- A single light fitting or bulb has stopped working and nothing else is affected
- A socket does not work but is cold, undamaged and has no smell
- A breaker tripped once, reset fine and has stayed on
- An outside light has failed and the circuit is otherwise normal
Even then, if the cause is unclear, it is sensible to phone and ask. A short conversation will usually tell you whether it is safe to wait.
What if the whole street is out?
If your neighbours have no power either, the fault is likely with the network, not your wiring. In England, Scotland and Wales you can call 105 free to reach your local network operator. An electrician cannot fix a supply fault outside your property.
Landlords and tenants
If you are a tenant, tell your landlord or agent about any electrical fault. If there is immediate danger, make it safe first and call for help. Landlords have a legal duty to keep the electrical installation safe, and we work with landlords and managing agents who need a fast response.
What a 24 hour electrician will do
On arrival they will make the area safe, find the fault with proper test equipment, explain it in plain terms and agree the price before work starts. Where a full repair is not possible straight away, they should make the property safe and tell you what is needed next. Read how we handle the most common call, fuse box tripping.
Still unsure? Call us on 020 3411 2027, day or night, and we will tell you honestly whether it needs attention now.
