Integra’s Maintenance Inspection: What to Expect

For homeowners in the Des Moines Metro area, especially those in homes 30 years or older, outdated electrical systems can be a serious safety risk. Old wiring and faulty electrical components are among the top causes of house fires in older homes—often going unnoticed until it’s too late. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical failures or malfunctions cause 51,000 home fires in the U.S. each year. This shows why it’s so important to keep your home’s electrical system up to date and working safely.

At Integra Electrical, we’ve seen firsthand the dangers lurking behind the walls of these homes. With over 20 years of experience, we understand how unsettling it can be not knowing whether your home’s electrical system is safe. That’s why we believe that simply knowing your electrical system can bring peace of mind. To help, we include a 12-point maintenance Inspection at no additional cost with every service we perform — because your safety should always be part of the package.

We’re confident that our maintenance inspection is the most thorough electrical inspection available. We know that sounds biased, so we’ve broken down exactly what our inspection includes. By the end of this article, you’ll know what to expect from our process and can decide for yourself whether it’s the best fit for your home’s safety needs.

Integra’s Maintenance Inspection for your Home Electrical System

Our maintenance inspection is a comprehensive 12-point safety check designed to ensure your home’s electrical system is both safe and up to date. This thorough inspection follows the guidelines set by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — two of the most trusted authorities in electrical safety. Our 12-point safety maintenance inspection includes critical inspections of:

Panels (Point 1&2)

Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s power, distributing electricity to every room and appliance. However, outdated or improperly installed panels can pose significant safety risks. That’s why the panel portion of our inspection covers the first two critical points.
During our inspection, we will check:

• Brand & Age: Identifying the manufacturer and determining the panel’s age. Panels older than 30 years may not meet modern safety standards and often cannot support today’s electrical demands, increasing the risk of fire or power outages. We recommend replacing panels beyond this age for optimal safety and performance.
• Main Breaker: Ensuring the panel has a properly sized main breaker (measured in AMPs, which determines how much electricity your home can safely use at once). An undersized breaker can cause frequent power trips, while an oversized one may fail to protect your wiring from overheating.
• Location: Confirm that the panel is installed in a compliant location. Panels installed in closets or tight spaces violate electrical codes, posing fire hazards and complicating emergency access.
• Heat Damage: We inspect the panel for signs of heat damage, such as burn marks, melted insulation, or discolored wires. These warning signs can indicate overloaded circuits, loose connections, or faulty breakers, which increase the risk of electrical fires. If any issues are found, we’ll recommend the best course of action to keep your home safe and prevent future hazards.

Meter Base (point 3)

The meter base plays a crucial role in connecting your home to the electrical grid, measuring how much electricity you use. Ensuring it’s properly installed and maintained is essential for safety, accuracy, and accessibility. That’s why the meter base is the third point in our maintenance inspection.

During our inspection, we will check:

• Attachment to the Home: Is the meter base securely attached to your home?
  In most cases, the meter box is owned by the homeowner, making the homeowner responsible for ensuring that it remains securely attached. If it becomes detached, it can cause electrical disconnections or expose wiring to weather damage — both of which can create significant safety hazards. We ensure that your meter base is firmly secured to avoid these risks.
• Height Compliance: Is the meter installed at the correct height?
  The center of the meter should be positioned no higher than six feet and no lower than four feet from the ground. This ensures safe and easy access for utility technicians and emergency responders while keeping the meter protected from potential damage.
• Meter Condition and Age: Is the meter outdated or showing signs of wear?
  Outdated meters can lead to inaccurate readings, affecting your utility bills and potentially indicating underlying electrical issues. Additionally, older meters may not meet current safety standards, posing a risk to your home’s electrical system. We’ll assess the condition and age of your meter to ensure it’s functioning correctly and complies with modern safety regulations.

Service Mast (point 4)

The service mast, also known as the service head, is a critical connection point between your home’s electrical system and the power grid. It’s where power lines connect to your home, allowing electricity to flow safely and reliably. Ensuring the service mast is properly installed and maintained is essential to avoid service disruptions and potential safety hazards. That’s why the service mast is the fourth point in our maintenance inspection.

During our inspection, we will check:

• Overhead or Underground Connection (Over/Under): Is your service mast overhead or underground? We’ll check whether your power lines come from a pole above the roof (overhead) or from the ground (underground). Overhead lines must have enough space from the roof and other structures to avoid accidental contact. Underground lines need secure entry points and protection from water damage. Making sure your setup is correct is important for safety.
• Attachment to the Home: The pole or conduit must be properly strapped to the meter and the home’s structure, especially in overhead systems. Proper attachment prevents the mast from detaching during strong winds or storms, which can cause dangerous power outages or exposed live wires, posing significant risks to both the home and those who live there.
• Withered Wires: We will inspect the weather head for any signs of frayed, weathered, or damaged wires, which could compromise the electrical connection. Damaged wires can lead to electrical shorts, power loss, or even fire hazards. Prompt detection and repair of these issues help ensure continuous and safe electrical service to your home.

Grounding System (point 5)

The grounding system is a crucial component of your home’s electrical safety. It provides a safe path for electrical currents in the event of a fault, helping to prevent damage. Ensuring your grounding system is properly installed and up to code is essential for protecting your home and family. That’s why it’s the fifth point in our maintenance inspection. 

• Correct Strapping of Pipes: All pipes need to be securely strapped to ensure a continuous and clear grounding path. Proper strapping ensures that the electrical system can safely redirect excess current into the ground, preventing electrical hazards.
• Water Meter Clamps: The water meter inside the home must have two clamps to maintain the integrity of the grounding path, especially if the meter needs to be removed for maintenance. Without these clamps, the grounding connection could be interrupted, posing significant safety risks.
• Ground Rod Installation: A ground rod provides a direct path to the earth for electrical surges, such as those caused by lightning strikes. If no ground rod is present, the home’s electrical system may not be adequately grounded, increasing the risk of electrical shock and equipment damage.
• Cold Water Pipe Grounding: In some older homes, cold water pipes were used as a grounding method. However, this may not meet modern electrical codes and could pose a safety risk. We check to ensure the grounding system complies with current standards, recommending upgrades if necessary.

Breakers & Arc Fault Breakers (Points 6 & 7)

Breakers ensure that electricity flows safely by interrupting circuits when issues arise. Additionally, arc fault breakers provide an extra layer of protection by detecting dangerous electrical arcs that could cause fires. That’s why breakers and arc fault breakers are the sixth and seventh points in our maintenance inspection.

• Correct / Incorrect Sizing: Our technicians will check whether the wires are correctly sized for the corresponding breakers. Incorrect wire sizing can lead to overheating causing electrical damage.
• Double-Tapped Breakers: We check for double-tapped breakers, which happen when two wires are connected to one breaker. Some breakers are not designed to handle this, which can create safety risks. 
• Breaker Compatibility: Not all breakers work with every panel, and using the wrong one can violate electrical codes. Our technicians make sure each breaker matches your panel to keep your system safe and running properly. 
• Number of Breakers: We also assess the total number of breakers in your panel and verify that it does not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended capacity.
• Arc Faults Breakers: According to electrical safety standards, all branch circuits in a home should be arc fault-protected. Our technicians will count how many arc fault breakers your home needs and provide recommendations for upgrades to ensure full protection.

GFCI Protection & Surge Protection (point 8 & 9)

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) and surge protection help keep your home’s electrical system safe and reliable. GFCI outlets reduce the risk of electrical shock in high-risk areas, while surge protection protects appliances and electronics from sudden power surges. That’s why they are key parts of our maintenance inspection. During our inspection, we will check: 

• Proper Installation & Compliance: Our technicians use advanced plug testers to check that GFCI outlets are correctly installed where required. We also inspect your home’s surge protection to ensure it can prevent damage from power surges. If more GFCIs or surge protection are needed to meet safety standards, we’ll recommend the best options for full coverage.

Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors (point 10 & 11)

Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors help keep your home safe by warning you of danger. Smoke detectors alert you to fires, while CO detectors detect a deadly gas that you can’t see or smell. Both are important for protecting your family.
That’s why carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are the tenth and eleventh points in our maintenance inspection.

• Proper Installation: Our technicians will evaluate whether carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are installed correctly and securely mounted and have working batteries. Dead batteries could be a catastrophe in the case of a fire.
• Placement & Coverage: We check that smoke detectors are in key areas like bedrooms, hallways, and every level of the home. Carbon monoxide detectors should be near sleeping areas and fuel-burning appliances. Our technicians also make sure your home has enough detectors based on its size, layout, and safety rules. If more are needed, we’ll recommend the best options to keep your home fully protected.

Wiring Hazards (Point 12)

The wiring in your home serves as the backbone of your electrical system, ensuring safe and efficient power distribution. However, faulty or deteriorating wiring can pose serious safety risks. That’s why wiring hazards are the twelfth and final point in our maintenance inspection.

• Safety Concerns: Our technicians thoroughly inspect for any visible signs of damaged or improperly installed wiring that could compromise safety. This can include: 
  
  • Exposed / Frayed Wiring
  • Overheated / Discolored Wires
  • Loose Connections / Improper Splicing
  • Outdated Wiring (Knob & Tube or Aluminum)

Where Do I Go Now?

Now that you know what Integra Electricals' maintenance inspection includes, take a look at your own home. If you need expert advice about your electrical system, we can help! Book a service and we’ll perform this 12-point maintenance inspection.