Few things are more frustrating than a circuit breaker that keeps tripping at the worst possible moment. One minute, you’re binge-watching your favorite show or preparing dinner, and the next—boom! Darkness. If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Homeowners throughout Atlanta, Fulton County, Cobb County, and beyond frequently deal with this electrical annoyance. But here’s the thing: if your breaker trips repeatedly, it’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a warning sign of a potential electrical hazard.

So, what’s causing it, and how can you fix it? More importantly, when is it time to call a professional home inspector in Atlanta or the surrounding areas? Let’s dive in.

Is Your Breaker Trying to Tell You Something?

Hi, I’m David Lelak, the owner and certified inspector behind IHI Home Inspections—serving families across Canton, Alpharetta, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and surrounding areas.

If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s not just a minor annoyance. It’s your home sending a warning that something could be seriously wrong behind the scenes. Let’s break down what might be happening—and when to call in an expert like me to take a deeper look.

1. Overloaded Circuits

This is the most common cause. Plugging in too many high-wattage appliances—like hair dryers, microwaves, and portable heaters—onto one circuit can overload it.

📊 Did you know? Overloaded circuits cause over 5,300 house fires every year in the U.S.

2. Short Circuits

A short circuit happens when a hot wire touches another wire or conductive surface, causing a sudden surge. This is dangerous and typically comes with burning smells, black marks, or popping noises.

3. Ground Faults

These are especially common in bathrooms, kitchens, and garages. When electricity finds a path through water or metal instead of the circuit, it trips to protect you.

4. Old Wiring or Faulty Appliances

Homes built before the early 2000s in areas like Marietta, Sandy Springs, and Decatur may still have outdated panels or aluminum wiring that just can’t keep up with modern appliances.

When You Should Call a Home Inspector

If you’ve:

• Reset the same breaker multiple times

• Smelled burning or seen sparks near an outlet

• Experienced lights flickering or dimming

• Purchased a home that hasn’t had a full inspection in years

It’s time to call a licensed and certified home inspector—especially in Canton, Roswell, Alpharetta, or Metro Atlanta.

What I Check During an Electrical Inspection

🔍 Thermal imaging to detect hot spots

• ⚙️ Panel inspections for rust, corrosion, and outdated setups

• 🔌 Outlet testing for GFCI protection

• 🔧 Load testing to identify overloads

• 📸 Clear digital photos with simple explanations in your report

My job is to catch the problems before they cause serious damage—or worse, a fire.

Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs

If your breaker keeps tripping, here’s what you can do right now:

• ✅ Unplug high-powered appliances on the same circuit

• ✅ Don’t reset the breaker more than once without investigation

• ✅ Schedule a licensed home inspector (that’s me!) to dig deeper

• ❌ Don’t open the electrical panel yourself unless you are trained

Serving Families Across:

✔️ Canton
✔️ Marietta
✔️ Alpharetta
✔️ Roswell
✔️ Sandy Springs
✔️ Milton
✔️ Kennesaw
✔️ Woodstock
✔️ Fulton County & Cobb County

Schedule Your Home Electrical Inspection Today
When your home speaks, you should listen. If your breaker keeps tripping, don’t wait for an emergency. Let’s get ahead of it with a professional inspection.

📞 Call 404-788-2581
📅 Schedule online
📍 Located in Canton, GA

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