If you're living in or buying an older home in Exeter or the surrounding areas, one of the biggest concerns (and rightly so) is the state of the electrics.

Rewiring isn’t exactly glamorous, but unsafe wiring is one of the most common — and dangerous — hidden issues in older properties. We’ve been into homes where the electrics hadn’t been touched in 50 years. Wires crumbling in our hands. Sockets hanging on by a thread. It’s more common than you’d think.

So, how do you actually spot the warning signs before it becomes a serious issue?

Let’s break it down.

1. You’ve Still Got a Fuse Box (Not a Consumer Unit)

Still got a fuse box with old wire fuses? That’s a huge red flag.

Modern homes should have a metal-clad consumer unit with RCD or RCBO protection. These detect faults instantly and shut off the supply to keep you safe.

Fuse boxes don’t offer that kind of protection. In fact, some insurance policies won’t cover homes that still rely on them.

If your fuse box looks like something from the ‘70s, it’s probably time to upgrade.

2. Lights Flickering or Dimming? It’s Not Always the Bulb

Flickering lights can mean:

• Loose connections

• Overloaded circuits

• Old, brittle wiring

It might seem minor, but this can be a sign of something much more serious — especially if it’s happening across multiple rooms or circuits.

3. Burn Marks or Strange Smells

This one’s urgent.

If you notice scorch marks, discoloured outlets, or a burning smell, turn off the power and call a professional immediately.

It could be a sign that wires behind the scenes are overheating — often due to poor connections, overloaded circuits, or insulation breakdown.

4. Fabric or Rubber-Insulated Wiring

Some older homes still have VIR (Vulcanised Indian Rubber) wiring — which was phased out in the 1960s. It breaks down over time and can become brittle and dangerous.

You might also come across two-core wiring (no earth), which is no longer compliant for lighting circuits and can be a serious risk.

Most homeowners won’t know what’s behind the walls — but during inspections, we can usually spot the signs by looking at:

• Wiring at light fittings

• The fuse box setup

• Loft or underfloor cable runs

5. Tripping Electrics (That Keep Getting Worse)

If your electrics trip occasionally, that’s annoying. If they’re tripping constantly, that’s a warning sign.

Modern RCDs and RCBOs trip when they detect even a tiny imbalance in the electrical current — which is great. But if you’re resetting them all the time, something’s not right.

Don’t ignore it. The fault could be anywhere on the circuit — and it could be dangerous.

6. No Evidence of Recent Electrical Testing

If you’ve just bought (or are about to buy) an older property and there’s no recent EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report), request one.

At EPM, we regularly carry out EICRs on homes across Exeter. We’ve seen everything from safe and sound setups to complete rewires needed.

As a general rule, EICRs should be done every 10 years — or every 5 years for rented properties.

What to Do if You Spot Any of These Signs

Don't panic — but do act.

Unsafe electrics can lead to fires, electric shock, or insurance issues. We always recommend:

• Booking an EICR for a full inspection

• Getting quotes from registered electricians (like us)

• Not attempting DIY repairs, especially in older properties

Final Word from EPM

We’ve worked in homes all over Exeter that had hidden electrical dangers no one knew about until we checked. If your house is more than 30 years old and the electrics haven’t been looked at recently, it’s worth having an expert check it over.

It’s about peace of mind, and in many cases, it’s better (and cheaper) to deal with issues early — before they become urgent.

Need advice or a proper inspection? Get in touch — we’ll explain everything clearly and give you the honest facts.