5 Electrical Hazards in Older Tampa Homes & How to Fix Them

"Old homes tell stories—but unsafe wiring shouldn’t be one of them."

Older homes across Tampa and surrounding counties often carry more than just charm and character—they also come with hidden electrical hazards that can jeopardize your safety, increase fire risk, and lead to costly outages. At Keentel Electrical Contractors, we believe in empowering homeowners with the knowledge they need to maintain a safe, code-compliant home.

As licensed electrical contractors serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Hernando, and beyond, we’ve seen firsthand how outdated or damaged electrical systems can go unnoticed until it’s too late. In this article, we reveal five of the most common (but often overlooked) hazards and explain how our team can help you resolve them the right way.

1. Outdated Wiring Systems

The Danger
Many Tampa homes built before the 1980s still contain aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring. These aging systems are not equipped to handle the demands of modern appliances and can overheat, short out, or spark electrical fires.

What You Can Do
If your home still uses outdated wiring, it's time for a full inspection. Keentel offers home rewiring services that meet NEC standards and ensure your electrical system supports today’s energy loads. We specialize in discreet upgrades that preserve the aesthetic of older homes.

2. Ungrounded Outlets

The Danger
Two-prong (ungrounded) outlets are common in older homes. These lack the third grounding prong that safely channels excess electricity away, increasing the risk of shocks and damage to electronics.

What You Can Do
Replace outdated outlets with GFCI- or AFCI-protected three-prong outlets. Our electricians identify all ungrounded points and professionally upgrade them with grounded circuits to keep your devices and family safe.

3. Overloaded Circuits

The Danger
With today’s tech-heavy lifestyles, many homes draw more power than their original circuits were designed for. Overloaded circuits are a major cause of electrical fires, especially in kitchens, home offices, and media rooms.

What You Can Do

Signs of overload include frequent tripping breakers, buzzing sounds, or flickering lights. We offer dedicated circuit installation to support high-demand appliances and electronics, ensuring safe load distribution.

4. DIY Electrical Repairs

The Danger
Well-intentioned DIY fixes often cause more harm than good. Improper splicing, missing junction boxes, and code violations can result in severe shocks or fires.

What You Can Do
Have our certified electricians inspect previous DIY repairs. At Keentel, we correct unsafe wiring, bring systems up to Florida Building Code, and ensure all connections are properly enclosed and grounded.

5. Unprotected Outdoor Wiring

The Danger
In Tampa’s humid, storm-prone environment, unprotected or weathered outdoor wiring becomes a serious safety issue. Exposed wires and corroded connections increase the risk of electrocution and fire.

What You Can Do
Our team installs code-compliant, weatherproof conduits, GFCI outlets, and surge protection for outdoor circuits, helping Florida homeowners stay safe year-round. Learn more about our 24/7 emergency electrical repairs for urgent outdoor hazards.

Why Choose Keentel for Electrical Safety Upgrades?

Keentel is not just another Tampa electrician. We’re a fully licensed, insured electrical company backed by over 30 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial work. Our 24/7 emergency teams respond to sudden blackouts, faulty breakers, surging appliances, and more—with fast, safe, and transparent troubleshooting.

We proudly serve:

Need urgent help? Call us at 813-395-0000 for 24-hour emergency support.

FAQs: Tampa Electrical Safety

  • 1. How do I know if my home's wiring is outdated?

    If your home was built before 1980, look for signs like two-prong outlets, tripped breakers, or cloth-covered wiring. Keentel can confirm with a detailed inspection.

  • 2. Can I add grounding to ungrounded outlets without rewiring?

    Some homes can have GFCI outlets installed for safety without a full rewire. However, for true grounding, rewiring is often needed.

  • 3. Are power strips safe to use instead of upgrading outlets?

    Only temporarily. If you rely on multiple strips in one room, your home likely needs more circuits.

  • 4. What does a dedicated circuit mean?

    It’s a line that powers a single appliance or room (e.g., AC unit, computer) without sharing current with other devices.

  • 5. Do older homes require surge protection?

    Yes. Florida’s frequent storms make surge protection vital to avoid costly damage to appliances.

  • 6. What areas do you serve for electrical inspections and repairs?

    We serve Tampa, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Schedule an appointment today. 

Call the professionals from Keentel Electrical Contractors for outstanding electrical work in Tampa.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your electrical needs.

Call us today at  813-395-0000
Email us at  contact@keentelelectricalcontractors.com
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Serving Tampa, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota, Polk, Manatee, Citrus, and Hernando counties.