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Keeping your home’s electrical system up to code isn’t just about meeting regulations — it’s about keeping your family safe. Faulty wiring and outdated components can quietly increase the risk of shocks, fires, and costly damage.
Here in Fort Myers, we see a wide mix of homes — from 1950s ranches to newer builds — and many of them still have electrical systems that don’t meet today’s safety standards. Florida’s humidity, salt air, and frequent storms can also take a toll, making regular inspections and updates essential.
At Coharbor Electric, we inspect hundreds of homes across Lee County every year, and the same code issues keep showing up. Here are the top 7 electrical code problems we find most often — and what they mean for your home.
Many older Fort Myers homes still have 60-amp or 100-amp panels, which were never designed to handle modern power demands. With today’s air conditioners, smart devices, and kitchen appliances, these panels can easily become overloaded.
Some even use fuse boxes or recalled brands like Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or Challenger — all known fire hazards.
If your breakers trip frequently or your lights dim when you use appliances, your panel may be due for an upgrade. A new 200-amp service ensures your system can safely power your home today — and in the future.
(Learn more: Panel Upgrade Permits in Fort Myers)
With our humid, coastal climate, Fort Myers homes face a constant battle with moisture. That’s why GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are required in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, and all outdoor areas.
GFCIs instantly shut off power when they detect a ground fault — preventing electrical shocks, especially around water.
If your home still has standard outlets near sinks or outside, it’s time to upgrade. It’s a simple change that can save lives.
Homes built in the 1960s and 1970s often used aluminum wiring, which was considered cost-effective at the time. But aluminum expands and contracts with heat, loosens over time, and increases the risk of overheating and fire.
We’ve replaced aluminum wiring in several Naples and Fort Myers homes where outlets were already showing signs of heat damage.
The safest long-term fix is a whole-home rewire with copper wiring — the industry standard for durability and safety.
(See our project: Whole-Home Rewire in Naples Park)
Plugging too many high-power devices into one circuit is more common than you’d think. We often see kitchens with a microwave, toaster oven, and refrigerator all sharing the same 20-amp line — or garages powering multiple tools from a single outlet.
Overloaded circuits cause breaker trips, overheating wires, and fire hazards.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires dedicated circuits for major appliances to prevent these problems.
If you’re relying on extension cords or power strips to make things work, it’s time to add new circuits.
Most people know about GFCIs, but AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters) are just as important.
AFCIs detect dangerous electrical arcs — small sparks that can happen inside walls from loose connections or damaged cords. They shut off power before a fire starts.
Current code requires AFCIs in most living areas, bedrooms, and hallways. Many older Fort Myers homes still don’t have them, leaving families at risk.
Upgrading your panel with AFCI breakers is one of the easiest ways to modernize your system’s safety.
(Learn more: Arc-Fault & GFCI Breakers in Fort Myers Homes Explained)
We get it — DIY electrical work can seem like a quick fix. But we’ve seen plenty of “handyman” jobs that create bigger issues down the road.
Common problems include:
Loose or exposed wire connections
Improper grounding
Overstuffed junction boxes
Underrated breakers and circuits
Even if the lights turn on, that doesn’t mean the wiring is safe. DIY mistakes can cause shorts, shocks, and fires — and may void your homeowner’s insurance.
When in doubt, have your work inspected by a licensed electrician before closing up the walls.
A proper grounding system protects your home by giving stray electrical current a safe path to the earth.
Older Fort Myers homes often have inadequate or missing grounding, especially those built before the 1970s. Without grounding, you’re more vulnerable to shocks, power surges, and appliance damage — particularly during our summer lightning storms.
During an inspection, we check that your panel, outlets, and metallic systems are all properly grounded and bonded to meet code.
Code compliance isn’t just a box to check — it’s about protecting your investment and your family.
Here’s why it matters:
Safety: Prevents fires, shocks, and electrocution.
Insurance: Many insurers require code compliance to maintain coverage.
Resale Value: Home inspectors flag outdated wiring, lowering property value.
Peace of Mind: You’ll know your home is safe, efficient, and future-ready.
Not sure if your home has any of these code issues? A professional inspection is the best way to find out.
At Coharbor Electric, we specialize in electrical safety inspections for Fort Myers homes — identifying risks, explaining your options clearly, and bringing your system up to code.
Don’t wait until a breaker trips or a spark appears.
Contact Coharbor Electric today to schedule your inspection and make sure your home’s electrical system is safe, compliant, and built to last.
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Serving Southwest Florida including: Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, and more...
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At Coharbor Electric, this is what to expect when entrusting us with fixing your electrical issues.
The first step is to get all the information we will need so that we can correctly assess the problem or situation. The photos or videos you send will be sent directly to the electrician.
Once our electrician has the info he needs, we will dispatch one in the next available spot–armed with expertise, equipment, and the parts he’ll most likely need.
Our Promise is to to You is to perform the job completely, efficiently, and to the Florida electrical code standards. We are committed to fair and honest pricing.
We offer flat rate pricing for service calls, so you always know the price up front. Simple to understand. Flat-rate fixed price so you can be confident you’ll get what paid for.
As a Florida homeowner, you have an endless list of choices for electrical contractors to hire…some great, some good, some bad.
At Coharbor Electric, our benchmark is to be “great”. If you decide to hire us for your electrical service, here’s what you can expect from our electricians:
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