Maverick Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air is proud to serve Roseville, Sacramento, Rocklin, Folsom, and surrounding Northern California communities with reliable electrical inspections that keep homes and businesses safe. Whether you’re buying a home, upgrading a panel, planning renovations, or troubleshooting persistent electrical problems, an electrical safety inspection is one of the most important services you can schedule.
This comprehensive guide explains exactly what happens during a professional electrical safety inspection, why they matter, and how Maverick ensures your system meets California’s strict safety and performance standards.
Why Electrical Safety Inspections Matter
Electrical systems experience wear over time. Heat, age, weather exposure, and increased electrical demand all take a toll. In Northern California, high HVAC usage in summer, wildfire-season outages, and the rise of EV chargers put even more strain on older systems.
A safety inspection helps identify:
- Fire and shock hazards
- Overloaded or improperly sized circuits
- Outdated wiring
- Failing electrical panels
- Code violations
- Improper DIY or unlicensed electrical work
- Equipment nearing the end of its lifespan
An inspection ensures your electrical system is safe, code-compliant, and capable of supporting modern energy demands.
Step 1: Reviewing the Electrical Panel
The inspection begins at the heart of your electrical system: the main service panel.
What Maverick Technicians Check
- Panel size and total service capacity
- Breaker condition and compatibility
- Signs of overheating, burning, or arcing
- Loose breakers or damaged bus bars
- Proper labeling of all circuits
- Grounding and bonding integrity
- Adequate clearance and safe panel placement
Many homes in Sacramento and Roseville still operate on older panels (60A or 100A) that are no longer adequate for modern electrical loads. Maverick assesses whether the panel is safe and whether it can support future needs such as EV charging or major appliance additions.
Step 2: Evaluating Wiring Condition Throughout the Home
Next, the electrician conducts a visual and diagnostic assessment of your wiring.
We Look For:
- Aluminum wiring
- Knob-and-tube or cloth insulation
- Exposed or damaged conductors
- Loose or backstabbed connections
- Overheating marks on wires or devices
- Uninsulated splices or improper junction boxes
Older wiring materials are common in Northern California homes built before 1980. These systems may not meet current electrical codes or may pose a fire risk.
Step 3: Testing Outlets, Switches & Devices
Maverick technicians then inspect and test devices throughout the property.
Devices We Inspect
- Standard outlets
- GFCI and AFCI-protected outlets
- Light switches
- Dimmers
- 240-volt appliance circuits
- Exterior outlets
- Garage and bathroom circuits
What We Look For
- Correct polarity
- Proper grounding
- Sufficient GFCI/AFCI protection
- Loose or corroded contacts
- Voltage irregularities
- Heat damage
Many older homes lack proper GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor areas—one of the most common code issues we find.
Step 4: Checking for Overloaded Circuits
Using testing equipment and circuit mapping tools, we identify whether any circuits are carrying more load than they safely should.
Signs of Overloaded Circuits Include:
- Buzzing sounds at outlets
- Frequently tripped breakers
- Dim or flickering lights
- Heat buildup at outlets or switches
- Heavy reliance on power strips
Northern California households with high HVAC loads and modern electronics often experience circuit overloads without realizing it.
Step 5: Inspecting Smoke Detectors, Carbon Monoxide Detectors & Safety Systems
A thorough inspection includes evaluation of all electrical life-safety systems.
We Check:
- Age and functionality of smoke detectors
- Placement and spacing compliance
- Carbon monoxide detector installation
- Hardwired versus battery-only setups
- Interconnection between detectors
Homes with gas appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages must have up-to-date carbon monoxide detectors under California building codes.
Step 6: Evaluating Outdoor Electrical Systems
Outdoor systems are especially vulnerable to weather and wear.
Maverick Technicians Inspect:
- Exterior outlets and covers
- Landscape and security lighting
- Pool and spa electrical systems
- Junction boxes and conduit
- Garage and shed wiring
Outdoor equipment must be properly grounded, GFCI-protected, and weather-rated—especially essential in areas exposed to moisture or heat.
Step 7: Testing Whole-Home Surge Protection (If Installed)
Wildfire-season outages and utility grid fluctuations make surge protection critical for Northern California homeowners.
We Evaluate:
- Surge protection device functionality
- Correct installation at the main panel
- Coverage for sensitive electronics
- The need for additional surge layers at sub-panels or outlets
If you don’t have surge protection, Maverick may recommend it to safeguard your home’s HVAC system, appliances, and smart electronics.
Step 8: Inspecting Grounding & Bonding
Grounding and bonding ensure electricity has a safe path during faults, surges, or lightning events.
We Assess:
- Grounding electrode conductor condition
- Water pipe and ground rod bonding
- Grounding connections at the panel
- Bonding for metallic systems
Poor grounding is a leading cause of shock hazards and equipment failure.
Step 9: Verifying Compliance With California Electrical Code
Maverick electricians evaluate whether your system meets National Electrical Code (NEC) and California Title 24 requirements.
We Check for:
- Adequate GFCI/AFCI protection
- Correct breaker sizing
- Proper conductor materials and insulation
- Safe working clearances
- Current appliance and HVAC requirements
- Safe placement and labeling of devices
Homes with additions, remodels, or past unlicensed work often have code issues that must be corrected.
Step 10: Reviewing Specialty Systems
Depending on your home or business, we may inspect:
Additional Items
- EV chargers and dedicated circuits
- Generators and transfer switches
- Solar interconnection points
- Smart home systems
- Water heater circuits
- HVAC electrical connections
EV charging is one of the most common reasons homeowners schedule inspections today, especially in Roseville, Rocklin, and Sacramento where adoption is rapidly growing.
Step 11: Documentation, Photos & Recommendations
Once the inspection is complete, Maverick provides a full report that includes:
What You Receive:
- A detailed list of findings
- Photos of any hazards or failing components
- Code violations and necessary corrections
- Panel capacity evaluation
- Suggestions for safety improvements
- Long-term upgrade recommendations
We also explain which issues are urgent and which are long-term improvements so you can make informed decisions.
Common Issues Found During Inspections
Some of the most frequent issues we see across Northern California include:
- Double-tapped breakers
- Outdated panels (Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Bryant)
- Exposed wiring
- Undersized circuits
- Backstabbed outlets
- Faulty GFCIs
- Aluminum branch wiring
- Improper DIY additions
- Overloaded HVAC circuits
- Ungrounded outlets
These issues often go unnoticed until a major outage or hazard occurs.
How Often Should You Schedule an Electrical Safety Inspection?
Maverick recommends inspections:
- Every 3–5 years for most homes
- Before buying or selling a home
- After major renovations
- When adding high-demand appliances
- Following frequent breaker trips or electrical issues
- Anytime you move into an older home
- After storm damage or power surges
Commercial buildings should schedule inspections annually or semiannually depending on load and usage.
Why California Homeowners Benefit From Regular Inspections
Northern California’s electrical risks are unique:
Local Factors Include:
- Heavy HVAC usage in 100+ degree summers
- Power surges during wildfire-season grid interruptions
- Rapid adoption of EV chargers
- Older housing stock with outdated wiring
- Increased electrical demand from modern appliances
Inspections help prevent failures, reduce fire risk, extend equipment life, and ensure compliance with state and utility standards.
Why Choose Maverick for Electrical Safety Inspections?
Maverick is a trusted provider of electrical services throughout the Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothill communities.
What Sets Us Apart
- Licensed, certified electricians
- Comprehensive, code-compliant inspections
- Same-day service availability
- Transparent recommendations with no upselling
- Local expertise in Northern California electrical systems
- Full electrical, plumbing, heating, and air services
Whether you need a routine inspection or a detailed safety evaluation, Maverick delivers peace of mind backed by professional expertise.
Schedule Your Electrical Safety Inspection Today
When it comes to powering and protecting your home, trust Maverick Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air to deliver thorough, reliable inspections. Call today to schedule your appointment and experience the Maverick difference.
