Burning smell, sparks or a hot outlet?
A burning or "fishy" plastic smell, scorch marks, sparks or an outlet that is hot to the touch can mean wiring is overheating. Treat it as urgent.
Common causes
- Loose connections in an outlet, switch or the panel.
- Worn outlets, or cheap extension cords and power strips that are overloaded.
- Damaged or aging wiring, including aluminum branch wiring found in some older homes.
- Water or corrosion getting into outlets and fixtures.
A small spark vs. a dangerous one
A tiny, brief blue spark when you plug something in can be normal. Large sparks, repeated sparks, popping sounds, scorch marks or any burning smell are not. Call an electrician.
How 305Electricians helps
Call (305) 699-4194 and tell us what you see and smell. We connect you with an available, independent, Florida-licensed electrician in your area, who quotes the repair before doing it. We are a referral service, not the contractor.
Want to double-check? You can look up any Florida electrical license at myfloridalicense.com.
305Electricians is a referral service operated by Miami Metro LLC, not an electrical contractor. All work is quoted and performed by independent, Florida-licensed electricians, who set their own prices.