Warning: DIY light fixture install almost burned my house down

I found out after 3 years that I'd been stripping wire with my teeth instead of using a proper stripper, and a loose connection nearly started a fire in my living room last week. Has anyone else dealt with sketchy wiring from old Edmonton houses that makes you question your whole setup?

2 comments

2 Comments

anthonymurray1mo ago

Yeah, the "loose connection nearly started a fire" part hits close to home. I had an old lamp in my bedroom that would flicker sometimes, and I just kept wiggling the bulb until it stayed on. One night I smelled burning plastic and realized the socket had melted a little from all the arcing inside. Had to throw the whole lamp out and my wife still brings it up every time I try to fix something electrical.

ross.kevin29d ago

Man that's rough but also pretty relatable. My dad had a floor lamp that would buzz and flicker for like two years before my mom finally made him toss it. He kept saying it was fine just needed a different bulb. Then one day the cord got hot enough to melt the carpet a little where it was touching. Now my mom keeps a fire extinguisher under the sink and points at it every time he picks up a screwdriver. Glad you caught yours before it got worse. That melted socket smell sticks with you.