As the news about the Coronavirus continues to develop, we would like to communicate with you regarding this important issue.

The health and safety of our customers and employees is our greatest concern. That is why we have implemented procedures based on information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is a fast evolving issue and we encourage you to continuously refer to the website of the CDC for updates: www.cdc.gov.

We have instructed our employees to take these common-sense precautions:

• Stay home if they are sick.
• Greet others in ways other than hand-shaking.
• Minimize the risk of infection by conscientious hand-washing and sneezing/coughing into
a sleeve or tissue.

We have hung hand-washing posters throughout our offices to remind our employees of how important this simple procedure is. Our expectation from you, our customer, is that you inform us immediately if someone in your home becomes sick. If you feel you need to cancel your service appointment due to illness, please let us know and rest assured that we will welcome you back when you are ready. We encourage anyone with questions or concerns on this issue to contact our office directly.

Mister Sparky Electrician Springdale, America’s On-Time Electrician in Bella Vista, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville services the Northwest Arkansas area with a team of licensed electricians. In addition to flickering lights, some of the electrician services provided by the company include electrical outlet/switch repair, ceiling fan installation, lighting installation, electrical wiring repair, landscape lighting installation and home electrical inspections.

Why is My Doorbell Not Working?

Some homeowners like to hear a bell choir whenever their front doorbell rings. Others want to listen to a familiar, lighthearted tune when someone is at their door. What homeowners don’t like is when they push the doorbell only to hear the sound of silence. Why is the doorbell not working? Check out some common issues that can cause a doorbell to remain silent when pressing its button.

The Button Won’t Depress Completely

One reason for a non-working doorbell is the button is not going down all the way when someone presses it. Sometimes spiders or other insects find their way inside a doorbell and build a nest just behind the button. The den can prevent the button from going down all the way, and the doorbell not working. Nests or other debris need to be thoroughly cleaned out of a doorbell casing so the button will go down all the way. A professional electrician can adjust the position of a doorbell making it difficult for insects to get behind it to build a nest.

The Button is Damaged or Worn Out

The button or bar on a doorbell can become worn out due to changing weather conditions and usage throughout the years. For instance, pieces of a plastic doorbell can crack or even break off. When a doorbell is not in one solid piece, it can malfunction and not trigger a sound inside the home. When a doorbell wears out and becomes damaged, it’s necessary to have a new one installed. A professional electrician can recommend a durable, attractive doorbell and install it properly for a homeowner. Having a quality doorbell chosen by an electrician who is familiar with a variety of brands can help you avoid a doorbell not working in the future.

The Wiring is Damaged

The wiring contained behind the casing of a doorbell can become damaged over the years, which can result in a doorbell not working. If the wires detach or tear apart, the signal won’t send inside the home to the chime box. In short, no sound will come out because the connection is not intact. This breakage can be caused by mice or insects that get at the wiring of a doorbell and chew it. Some rodents and insects can chew wires in half reasonably quickly. Also, an object hitting the wall near the doorbell can knock wiring loose, causing a disconnection. The installation must be intact and appropriately connected so the signal can travel into a home, causing the bell to ring.

An Issue with the Chime Box

The chime box resides on the inside of a home. Often it’s somewhere near the front door such as in an entryway or even in a closet. A chime box has a decorative casing that relaeses to see the workings of the doorbell beneath it. Damage to the wiring inside the chime box can result in a doorbell that malfunctions. Even loose wiring can result in a doorbell not working. Dust and debris can gather on the wiring inside a chime box and cause issues as well. All wiring must be in good condition and solidly in place, so the connection experiences no interruptions upon activation outside the door.

A Malfunctioning Transformer

The transformer is located in the chime box and is sometimes the cause of a doorbell not working. If the voltage traveling into the transformer isn’t correct, it means the transformer is the issue. Sometimes the problem can be fixed with a repair or two instead of replacing the transformer. An experienced electrician will be able to determine if a transformer can be fixed or needs a whole new system for the doorbell to perform as it should.

Improper Installation

Some homeowners try to replace an old doorbell or install a new one from scratch.
Unfortunately, they may find that the doorbell doesn’t work correctly after all of their efforts. This task is best left to an expert electrician who is familiar with the wiring of a doorbell. Besides, though most doorbells operate on low voltage, it is risky for a non-electrician to repair or install a doorbell.

Lastly, when there’s a doorbell not working, it’s best to call in a professional electrician from Mister Sparky to check it out. An experienced electrician can diagnose the issue and get it fixed properly so that the doorbell will ring every time. A qualified electrician can also install a new doorbell in a safe, effective way. Contact Mister Sparky today and find a qualified, reliable electrician who can help you solve any issues you’re having with your doorbell.

Mister Sparky Electrician Springdale, America’s On-Time Electrician in Bella Vista, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville services the Northwest Arkansas area with a team of licensed electricians. In addition to flickering lights, some of the electrician services provided by the company include electrical outlet/switch repair, ceiling fan installation, lighting installation, electrical wiring repair, landscape lighting installation and home electrical inspections.

Everything You Need To Know About Home Security Lights

A dimly-lit exterior can be a bigger security liability than many homeowners realize. In addition to making a property a more attractive target for thieves, vandals and even home intruders, poor illumination also increases the risk of accidents and mishaps. Especially in inclement weather or during colder months when snow and ice are a concern. Exterior flood-lamps and area lights, motion-sensing lights, remote-operated smart lighting systems and other types of exterior home security lights can be a major asset when it comes to maintaining a safe and secure home.

Area Lighting

Flood lamps, landscaping lighting and other area lights serve a dual purpose. By illuminating the home’s surroundings, area lights make it more difficult for anyone who may be trespassing on the property to escape detection or approach closer to the home unseen. A bright, well-lit exterior also sends a clear message that the home is being maintained, that it is likely occupied and that the property owners have taken steps to create a secure environment. Area lighting and home security lights alone are often sufficient to persuade any potential thieves or home intruders to look elsewhere in search of an easier target.

Placing Lights and Fixtures

While area lights have an important role to play, not all home security lights and fixtures needs to be that powerful. Effective placement helps to ensure that even accent lighting can help to improve home security. Walkways, gates, entryways, garage doors and ground-floor windows that may serve as a potential point-of-access for home intruders are all areas where additional light fixtures may need to be installed. Proper placement for specific lights helps to ensure that any way to approach the home will remain brightly lit and clearly visible.

Perimeter Lighting

Comprehensive area and point-specific lighting can help to beef up security, but an exterior that is too brightly lit can make for a less comfortable household. Ringing the perimeter of the home can benefit both household safety and security while ensuring that light intrusion from the exterior home security lights is less likely to become an issue. Combining perimeter lighting with a few point-specific lights to help illuminate key areas like doors and walkways can allow homeowners to enjoy the best of both worlds. Exterior lighting that faces away from the home in order to illuminate the surrounding landscape is another way to deal with light intrusion.

Motion Sensors

Motion activated flood lamps and even point-specific lighting is often one of the most effective ways that home security lights may be used to beef up household security. Lights that are triggered by movement make it easy to reduce exterior illumination to more comfortable levels while still providing the illumination needed to stay safe. From providing plenty of light when approaching the home or taking out the trash to frightening away buglers and vandals, motion-activated light fixtures can be a key asset when it comes to addressing the most common safety issues or serious security concerns.

Smart Lighting

The ability to access, control and adjust both interior and exterior lighting through a mobile device is another handy feature with many potential security applications. Home and property owners can log into the system and adjust lighting before arriving home, to create the illusion that the home is still occupied when away or to provide additional lighting when investigating a potential security threat. Relying on outdated technology and conventional fixtures in order to secure the perimeter and protect the home could lead to many lost opportunities. Even motion sensors may not be able to provide the same level of convenience and performance that the latest smart fixtures and remote operated home security lights and lighting systems may be able to offer.

Investing in Quality Fixtures and Equipment

Home security lights that may be less than dependable, fixtures that are not rugged enough to withstand the elements and equipment options that may wear out or fail prematurely may prove to be nothing more than a wasted expense. Home security is an important concern and making an effort to seek out and select the lighting and equipment options that have more to offer is not a consideration that should be taken lightly. Quality lights, superior fixtures and professional equipment installation services may all be needed in order to ensure dependable performance and superior results.

Addressing Specific Security Concerns

Not every security lighting upgrade needs to involve a top-down system installation. Installing a single fixture may be all that is required in order to better address a specific security concern. Wiring and installing an exterior area light or point-specific fixture can allow homeowners to eliminate a blind spot, better illuminate high-traffic areas and exterior environments or to deal with specific issues like potential loiterers or teenagers who have a past history of trying to sneak out of the home at night. Investing in a more modest range of equipment options and installation services provides an affordable way to deal with any number of specific security concerns and situations.

Security Lighting Installation Services and Solutions

While upgrading an existing fixture can be simple enough, many property owners lack the tools and expertise needed to upgrade their existing lighting, install new fixtures or properly configure a smart lighting system or remote operated home security lights. Working with electricity can be dangerous, especially for those who lack the proper skills, tools or training. The services of a professional electrician can allow home and property owners to take advantage of a wider range of lighting equipment and security options without having to worry about damaging the equipment or injuring themselves during installation.

Mister Sparky Electrician Springdale, America’s On-Time Electrician in Bella Vista, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville services the Northwest Arkansas area with a team of licensed electricians. In addition to flickering lights, some of the electrician services provided by the company include electrical outlet/switch repair, ceiling fan installation, lighting installation, electrical wiring repair, landscape lighting installation and home electrical inspections.