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What We Check During an Electrical Inspection—and Why It Matters for Your Home

4 min read

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When we walk through a home for an inspection, the electrical system is one of those areas you can’t afford to gloss over. It’s not just about lights turning on—it’s about safety, code compliance, and long-term reliability. At At Your Service Pros, our electrical inspections are designed to make sure power is coming into your home safely and being distributed the way it should.

If you’ve ever wondered what we’re actually looking at when we open that gray box outside or peek inside the panel, here’s a clear, neighborly breakdown.

Starting at the Meter Base Outside

The electrical story of your home starts outside, at the meter base. This is where power safely transitions from the utility company into your home.

At this point in the inspection, we’re checking a few critical things:

  • That all incoming power connections are tight and secure

  • That there’s no visible damage, corrosion, or weather-related wear

  • That the meter base is properly mounted and sealed

Loose connections here can lead to overheating, arcing, or intermittent power issues—especially with Utah’s big temperature swings from winter to summer.


Power Flow From Meter to Panel

From the meter base, electricity travels into your home’s interior load center, more commonly known as the electrical panel.

This is where attention to detail really matters.

We carefully inspect:

  • The condition of the service entrance conductors

  • Whether all connections from the meter to the panel are tight

  • Any signs of overheating or past electrical stress

A clean, solid connection here ensures power is distributed evenly and safely throughout your home.


Aluminum Wiring and Antioxidant Protection

Many homes—especially older ones along the Wasatch Front—use aluminum conductors for parts of their electrical service. Aluminum isn’t inherently bad, but it does require proper handling.

Antioxidant compound applied to aluminum electrical wiring
Antioxidant helps protect aluminum wiring from corrosion and heat buildup

We look to make sure:

  • Aluminum connections are treated with approved antioxidant compound

  • Terminations are rated for aluminum conductors

  • There’s no evidence of oxidation or loosening

This antioxidant helps prevent issues caused by expansion, contraction, and the interaction between different metals—something that becomes especially important in Utah’s dry summers and cold winters.


Proper Grounding and Bonding

Grounding isn’t flashy, but it’s one of the most important safety components in your electrical system.

During our inspection, we verify:

  • That the grounding system is present and properly connected

  • Grounding electrodes (like ground rods) are installed correctly

  • The grounding conductor is intact and secure

We also check for the inter-system bonding bridge, which allows different systems—electrical, cable, phone, and others—to share a common ground. This helps reduce the risk of electrical surges and improves overall safety.

Diagram showing residential electrical grounding and bonding
Proper grounding and bonding protect your home from electrical faults and surges

Making Sure Everything Is Up to Code

Electrical codes exist for a reason—they’re written in response to real-world failures and hazards. Part of every electrical inspection is confirming that the system meets current safety standards, or at least was compliant at the time it was installed.

We’re not just checking boxes. We’re looking at the system as a whole to identify:

  • Potential safety risks

  • Areas that may need updating

  • Issues that could affect future renovations or resale

This approach pairs naturally with broader home inspections and indoor safety evaluations like those offered by Healthy Water and Air, especially when electrical issues intersect with HVAC systems or indoor air quality equipment.


Why This Matters for Homeowners and Buyers

Electrical problems often stay hidden—until they don’t. A thorough inspection helps protect:

  • Your family’s safety

  • Your investment in the home

  • Your peace of mind during a purchase or renovation

That’s why many homeowners pair an electrical inspection with services from trusted partners like At Your Service Pros and indoor environment specialists such as Healthy Water and Air’s home services.

If you’re planning upgrades, it’s also smart to understand how your electrical system supports modern equipment like air purification systems, water treatment units, and high-efficiency HVAC setups.

One Last Thought Before You Schedule

Electrical inspections aren’t about finding fault—they’re about understanding how your home works and keeping it safe for the long haul. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just staying proactive, a detailed look at your electrical system is always worth it.

Need service? Call (801) 609-1551 or schedule an appointment online.


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