5 Signs Your Fort Myers Home Wiring Is Failing | CoHarbor Electric

5 Signs Your Fort Myers Home Wiring Is Failing

Electrical wiring isn’t something most people think about. It’s out of sight, tucked behind the walls, and as long as everything turns on when you flip a switch, it’s easy to assume it’s all fine.

But when wiring starts to go bad, it can turn into one of the most serious problems in your home — fast.

Here in Fort Myers, we’ve seen how Florida’s heat, humidity, and storms can wear down even good wiring over time. Homes built before the 1990s are especially at risk. The materials were different back then, and after decades of use, insulation breaks down, connections loosen, and corrosion starts to set in.

Most wiring issues start small — a flicker here, a trip there — but if they’re ignored, they can lead to overheating, arcing, or worse.

Here are five clear signs your home’s wiring might be failing and what to do before a small problem turns into a major safety issue.

1. Flickering or Dimming Lights

This is usually the first thing homeowners notice.

If your lights flicker when the air conditioner kicks on, or dim when you use the microwave, it’s not just annoying — it’s your system telling you it’s under stress. That kind of fluctuation often means your wiring or panel is struggling to deliver steady power.

Sometimes it’s a loose neutral wire, sometimes it’s an overloaded circuit, and sometimes it’s just old connections that need attention. Whatever the cause, it’s worth checking before it gets worse.

Possible causes:

• Loose wiring connections

• Overloaded circuits

• Failing neutral wire

• Aging electrical panel

In coastal areas like Fort Myers, corrosion on connections can cause fluctuating voltage. That’s why lights in one room might dim while another room stays bright — your wiring is struggling to carry a stable current.

When to worry:

If lights flicker in multiple rooms or at random times, it’s time to have your wiring inspected.

Learn more: When a Light Flicker in Fort Myers Homes Means Trouble

2. Warm or Hot Outlets

If an outlet feels hot to the touch or smells like something is burning, unplug everything and call an electrician immediately.

Heat is a clear sign that current isn’t flowing properly. It’s often caused by:

• Loose wiring behind the outlet

• Worn-out receptacles

• Overloaded circuits

• Aluminum wiring expanding and contracting

In older Fort Myers homes (especially from the 1970s–1980s), outlets may have back-stabbed connections that loosen over time, creating dangerous resistance.

3. Burning Smells or Scorch Marks

This one’s non-negotiable: if you ever smell burning plastic or ozone near an outlet, switch, or panel, shut off power and call a licensed electrician immediately.

A burning smell usually means arcing — when electricity jumps across a loose connection. Arcing can generate temperatures over 1,000°F and is a major cause of electrical fires.

You might also see:

• Scorch marks around outlets or switches

• Melted plugs or discolored covers

• Buzzing or popping sounds

These are all signs of serious wiring failure that should never be ignored.

4. Frequently Tripping Breakers

A breaker that trips once in a while is normal — that’s what it’s designed to do. But if it happens repeatedly, something’s wrong.

Possible causes:

• Circuit overload

• Short circuits

• Faulty appliances

• Loose or failing wiring

If the same breaker keeps tripping, it may be signaling a deeper wiring fault. In older panels, like Federal Pacific or Challenger, breakers sometimes fail to trip when they should — creating a serious fire risk.

Local Tip:

Fort Myers’ high humidity often accelerates corrosion inside electrical panels, causing weak connections and heat buildup.

Learn more: Troubleshooting Tripping Breakers in Fort Myers Homes

5. Old or Aluminum Wiring

Homes built in the 1960s through early 1980s often used aluminum wiring instead of copper — a cost-saving measure at the time.

Unfortunately, aluminum expands and contracts with heat, loosening connections over time. This causes:

• Arcing

• Overheating

• Outlet failures

• Potential fires

Even if your aluminum wiring hasn’t failed yet, it’s worth having it inspected and retrofitted with COPALUM connectors or replaced entirely with copper.

At Coharbor Electric, we’ve seen firsthand how humidity and salt air in Fort Myers accelerate the breakdown of aluminum wiring — far faster than in inland homes.

Bonus Sign: Shocks or Tingling Sensations

If you ever feel a small shock when touching a metal appliance, outlet, or switch, it could mean your home has a grounding issue or a faulty neutral connection.

This isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s dangerous. A missing or compromised ground path can allow current to travel through you instead of the circuit.

Learn more: Case Study: Hidden Neutral Fault in a 1978 Fort Myers Home

What Causes Wiring to Fail in Fort Myers Homes?

Florida’s coastal environment is especially harsh on electrical systems. Common local factors include:

• High humidity → causes corrosion and loose connections.

• Salt air → accelerates oxidation on copper and aluminum wires.

• Hurricanes and flooding → introduce moisture into panels and junction boxes.

• Older materials → insulation and connections degrade faster in the heat.

That’s why even newer homes can experience wiring problems sooner than expected if preventive maintenance isn’t done.

Preventing Wiring Failures

Here’s what every Fort Myers homeowner can do to protect their home:

✅ Schedule regular electrical inspections — every 3–5 years, or after major storms.
✅ Replace outdated panels (especially Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger).
✅ Upgrade aluminum or brittle wiring.
✅ Add AFCI and GFCI protection to prevent fires and shocks.
✅ Install whole-home surge protection to guard against lightning strikes.
✅ Use corrosion-resistant components for coastal climates.

Learn more: Electrical Maintenance Plans for Fort Myers Homes

Real Example: A 1981 Fort Myers Home with Hidden Wiring Damage

We were called to a home near Whiskey Creek where the homeowner reported flickering lights and a faint burning smell.

After inspection, we found multiple loose aluminum splices behind outlets and switches — all hidden behind drywall. The wiring insulation had started to melt in places.

We replaced the affected sections, retrofitted remaining aluminum connections, and upgraded the panel with a modern 200A copper system.

The lights stabilized, and the homeowner’s insurance company approved the upgrade with a discount on their premium.

Final Thoughts

Failing wiring isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s one of the leading causes of electrical fires in Florida homes.

If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs — flickering lights, warm outlets, burning smells, or tripping breakers — don’t ignore them. These are early signs of wiring stress that can be corrected safely with professional inspection and repair.

Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule a home wiring inspection. Our Fort Myers team specializes in diagnosing and repairing aging electrical systems in Florida’s coastal environment — keeping your home safe, efficient, and up to modern code.