Electrical repair in Columbus GA
Dead outlets, flickering lights, warm switch plates and breakers that won't stay on all have a cause. Good electrical repair means finding that cause instead of swapping parts until something works. Sherrill Co. has been tracing and fixing electrical problems in Columbus homes and businesses since 1984.
We fix what you called about, and if we notice anything else that could become a problem, we tell you, like the loose breaker wire one customer never knew was there.
- We trace the real cause
- Unsafe issues pointed out
- Follow up call after the job
How our electrical repair works
Electrical problems rarely fix themselves, and guessing can make them worse. Every electrical repair we do follows the same five steps, from your first call to the follow up.
-
Describe the problem
When did it start, which outlets or lights, and does anything trip? Those details on the phone often point us in the right direction.
-
Check it safely
We make the area safe first, then test circuits, outlets, switches and the panel with the right meters instead of guessing.
-
Find the real cause
A loose connection, a failing breaker, an overloaded circuit or damaged wiring. We find it and show you what we found.
-
Fix it right
We repair or replace what's faulty with the right parts, and explain your options if a bigger fix makes more sense.
-
Test and check back
We test everything we touched, tell you about anything else we noticed, and call a few days later to make sure it's holding up.
What's going on? Common electrical problems
Pick what you're seeing. You'll get what it usually means, a few safe things to check yourself, and when it's time for electrical repair by a licensed electrician. The colored dot shows how urgent it is.
Breaker keeps tripping
Call soonWhat it usually means
A breaker that keeps tripping is doing its job. It's shutting off a circuit that is overloaded, shorted or has a ground fault. Less often, the breaker itself is worn out.
Safe things to check first
- Unplug everything on that circuit, reset the breaker once, then plug things back in one at a time.
- Note which appliance or outlet trips it, like a space heater, microwave or hair dryer.
- Check whether the breaker feels warm or looks damaged. If so, leave it off.
When to call us
If it trips right away with nothing plugged in, trips every day, or feels warm, call us. Don't keep resetting it.
Outlet not working
Call soonWhat it usually means
A dead outlet is often on a tripped GFCI in another room, a tripped breaker, or a loose connection at that outlet or one upstream on the same circuit.
Safe things to check first
- Look for a GFCI outlet in the kitchen, bath, garage or outside and press its reset button.
- Check the panel for a tripped breaker.
- Try a lamp you know works to confirm the outlet is really dead.
When to call us
If nothing resets it, several outlets are dead, or the cover looks scorched or feels warm, it's time to call.
Flickering or dimming lights
Call soonWhat it usually means
One flickering bulb is usually the bulb or a loose connection at the fixture. Lights that dim across the house when the AC or dryer starts can point to an overloaded circuit, a loose connection at the panel or a service problem.
Safe things to check first
- Tighten or replace the bulb, and make sure LED bulbs match the dimmer.
- Note whether it happens in one room or all over the house.
- Note whether it happens when a large appliance turns on.
When to call us
Flickering in several rooms, or lights that brighten and dim on their own, should be checked soon. Loose connections can overheat.
Power out in part of the house
Call todayWhat it usually means
If some rooms have power and others don't, it can be a tripped main or branch breaker, a problem with one leg of your service, or damage to the meter or the line coming to the house.
Safe things to check first
- Check the panel for tripped breakers, including the main.
- Ask a neighbor whether they have power, or check your utility's outage map.
- Look outside for a damaged meter, mast or service line after a storm, but don't touch anything.
When to call us
If breakers aren't tripped and the utility isn't reporting an outage, call us today. Half power can damage appliances.
Warm, buzzing or burning outlet
Call nowWhat it usually means
Heat, buzzing, crackling or a burning smell means electricity is arcing or overheating at a loose or failing connection. This is a fire risk.
Safe things to check first
- Stop using the outlet or switch right away.
- If it's safe, turn off the breaker for that circuit.
- If you see smoke or flames, get everyone out and call 911.
When to call us
Call our emergency services line at (706) 566-3994. Don't wait for a regular appointment.
Shocks or tingling
Call nowWhat it usually means
Getting a shock or tingle from a switch, appliance, faucet or fixture can mean a ground fault or damaged wiring, and it can be dangerous.
Safe things to check first
- Stop using whatever gave the shock.
- Turn off the breaker for that circuit if you can do it safely.
- Keep kids and pets away from the area.
When to call us
Call our emergency services line at (706) 566-3994 so we can find the fault before someone gets hurt.
Electrical repair services we handle
Most electrical repair calls fall into one of these four groups. If yours doesn't, call anyway. After four decades in Columbus, there isn't much we haven't traced and fixed.
Troubleshooting and repair
Something stopped working, flickers or trips, and you don't know why. We trace the problem from the outlet or fixture back to the panel and fix the actual cause.
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Loose and burnt connections
- Partial power loss
Outlets and switches
Dead, loose, warm or scorched outlets and switches, plus upgrades to GFCI protection in kitchens, baths, garages and outdoors, and grounded outlets in older homes.
- Outlet repair and replacement
- GFCI outlet installation
- Two prong to grounded outlets
Breakers and circuits
Breakers that trip over and over usually mean an overloaded circuit, a short or a failing breaker. We find which one it is and fix it, including adding dedicated circuits.
- Breaker keeps tripping
- Dedicated circuits
- AFCI and GFCI breakers
Rewiring
Brittle insulation, cloth wiring, ungrounded circuits and years of do it yourself changes add up. We rewire sections or the whole house with as little wall damage as possible.
- House rewiring
- Kitchen and bath circuits
- Repairs after remodels
Signs it can't wait
Most electrical repair can be scheduled. These can't. If you notice any of them, call our emergency services line at (706) 566-3994.
- Burning smell or smoke From an outlet, switch, fixture or the panel. Turn off the circuit if it's safe and call right away. If you see flames, call 911.
- Sparks or scorch marks Blackened outlet covers or sparks when you plug something in mean a failing connection.
- Warm or hot to the touch Outlets, switches, cords or the panel should never feel hot.
- A breaker that trips right away Resetting it again and again is not the fix, and can make the damage worse.
- Water near electrical Leaks, flooding or storm damage around outlets, the panel or equipment.
For everything else, call the main office at (706) 569-7518 and we'll get you on the schedule.
What affects electrical repair cost
We can't price a repair before we know what's causing it, but we always explain the fix and the cost before we start. These are the things that move the number.
Finding the causeA loose outlet connection is quick. A problem hidden inside a wall or attic takes more time to trace.
AccessOpen basements and attics are easier than finished walls, tight crawl spaces or high ceilings.
PartsOutlets and switches are inexpensive. Breakers, GFCI and AFCI devices and wiring cost more.
How much wiring is involvedOne damaged connection is a small fix. Replacing a run of old wire is a bigger job.
Other issues foundIf we find something unsafe nearby, we explain it and let you decide before doing extra work.
The problem he didn't know he had
"Put an EV charger in my garage. They were reasonably priced, showed up on time, didn't leave a mess, and answered any questions I had. They also informed me of a loose wire breaker box that could have caused problems and fixed it for me. I have no complaints and would call them again for any electrical needs."
Brandon CurryGoogle review, EV charger installation
Is it an emergency?
Burning smells, sparks, hot outlets or a panel that buzzes can't wait for an appointment. Call our emergency services line at (706) 566-3994.
When to call for emergency serviceElectrical repair across our area
- Columbus
- Phenix City
- Auburn
- Opelika
- Fortson
- Cataula
- Smiths Station
Electrical repair questions
Answers to the problems we get called about most. When something doesn't look right, a quick call is still the fastest way to know what to do.
Describe the problem(706) 569-7518
Why does my breaker keep tripping?
The three most common reasons are an overloaded circuit, a short circuit and a ground fault. Too many high power devices on one circuit, like a space heater and a microwave, is the most common. A breaker that trips instantly with nothing plugged in, or one that feels warm, points to a short or a failing breaker and needs electrical repair.
Why did my outlet stop working?
Start by checking for a tripped GFCI outlet in a nearby kitchen, bath, garage or outdoor area and pressing reset, then check the panel for a tripped breaker. If neither fixes it, the cause is usually a loose or failed connection at that outlet or another one on the same circuit, which we can trace and repair.
Are flickering lights dangerous?
A single flickering bulb is usually just the bulb or a loose connection at the fixture. Lights that flicker in several rooms, or dim when big appliances start, can mean loose connections that overheat over time. Those should be checked by an electrician soon.
How much does electrical repair cost?
It depends on what is causing the problem, how easy it is to reach and what parts are needed. A loose outlet is a small fix, while tracing a fault inside a wall or replacing old wiring takes more time. We explain what we found and what the fix will cost before we do the work.
Should I replace two prong outlets?
Two prong outlets are common in older Columbus homes and have no ground. Swapping in a three prong outlet without a ground is unsafe. We can add a ground where the wiring allows it or install GFCI protection, which is an approved way to protect ungrounded outlets.
Do I need to rewire my whole house?
Not always. Many older homes only need certain circuits updated, such as the kitchen, bathrooms or rooms with a lot of problems. Signs of wiring that needs attention include cloth covered wire, brittle insulation, frequent tripping and outlets that are warm or loose. We will tell you honestly whether spot repairs or house rewiring makes more sense.
When is an electrical problem an emergency?
A burning smell, smoke, sparks, scorch marks, an outlet or panel that feels hot, buzzing at the panel, shocks, or water near electrical equipment. In any of those cases, turn off the circuit if it is safe and call our emergency services line at (706) 566-3994. If you see flames, call 911 first.
Do you do electrical repair in Phenix City and Auburn?
Yes. We are licensed in Georgia and Alabama and handle electrical repair in Columbus, Fortson and Cataula as well as Phenix City, Smiths Station, Opelika and Auburn. See our service area for the full list.