Electrical Outlet Replacement in Olympia, Washington

Many of Thurston County’s oldest homes still use their original outlets. While they may do the job, they’re outdated—and can be quite dangerous. At Shocking Difference LLC, our years of experience put us in a unique position to provide the area’s home and business owners with the highest quality electrical work. Our team members are insured and licensed, and we back our work with a firm satisfaction guarantee. Book an appointment today by sending us an online message or giving us a call.

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Signs That It’s Time for Replacing Outlets In Your Home

stab lock outlet

If you are like many of Thurston County’s property owners, you rarely think of the building’s electrical outlets until it’s time to use them. When outlets don’t work the way they should, they may create hazards that lead to injury and property damage. By paying attention to the following signs, and by calling an electrician when necessary, home and business owners can prevent small problems from turning into big and risky ones.


  • No power to the outlet. The most evident sign of the need for electrical outlet replacement occurs when there’s no power coming from the breaker box. Outlets fail for numerous reasons, including tripped breakers. If one of your outlets keeps failing, there’s an overload somewhere—and the outlet can’t handle the demand.
  • Burn marks. If the outlet cover shows signs of heat damage such as scorch marks or melted spots, or if it’s too hot to touch, the situation must be addressed immediately. Outlet overheating often happens due to electrical arcing, which starts when internal metal parts become damaged or loose. Old and outdated wiring can also cause overheating. It’s too small, which creates electrical resistance and damaging heat.


Outlet replacement in Thurston County, Shocking Difference, LLC
  • Cracked faceplates. Cracks or chips in an outlet cover may seem like a cosmetic issue, but they may signify danger. Debris and dirt may get into tiny cracks, causing internal issues. If the plug itself is cracked, it may leave its metal contacts exposed, creating a fire and shock hazard.
  • Loose plugs. Like other parts of a home or commercial building, electrical outlets are susceptible to ordinary wear and tear. The springs and metal contacts that hold plugs in position gradually wear out, causing plugs to fall out or fit loosely. A loose plug isn’t just an annoyance, it can be dangerous. Loose electrical plugs conduct heat, creating arcs and increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
  • An outlet only has two holes. Before the mid-1960s, most outlets only had two slots. with one for a neutral wire and one for a hot wire. That was okay back then, as most buildings were wired to allow current to flow down only two pathways. In some cases, hot wires created too much power and overloaded circuits. Eventually, municipal electrical codes required the installation of outlets with grounding holes that prevent overloads and minimize the risk of electrical shock.


Outlet replacement in Thurston County, Shocking Difference, LLC

Is your home or commercial building’s electrical system causing problems? Look to us for solutions. Call Shocking Difference LLC to learn how our electricians nearby can make a difference in your everyday life.

  • Why Are GFCI Electrical Outlets So Important?

    As we’ve mentioned before, most property owners give little thought to their electrical outlets until there’s a problem that requires repairs. Those issues create significant disruptions to our daily routines. One type of electrical outlet does more than make lives easier—it can save them! Known as GFCIs, they’re required in some parts of a home or business.

  • What is a GFCI outlet?

    A GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter is a crucial part of a modern electrical system. GFCI outlets react instantly when ground faults are detected, cutting power to the affected area. For instance, if a curling iron or hair dryer falls into a full sink, the outlet would sense the current interruption and cut the power, preventing serious injury and property damage.

  • Where should GFCI outlets be installed?

    Ground fault circuit interrupters are vital in areas where electricity is used near water, such as in laundry rooms, garages, pools, spas, kitchens, and bathrooms. If you’re living in an older home without this important protective layer, or if you need outlet replacement and electrical work for other reasons, call the team at Shocking Difference LLC today.

Call to Schedule Electrical Outlet Replacement Services with Shocking Difference


Functional electrical power outlets are a rarely noticed but extremely important part of a home or business. When you need electrical outlet repair, maintenance, or replacement, it’s best to leave the job to a licensed electrician. Request additional information via our
contact form or call to book an appointment with a team member at Shocking Difference LLC. We are eager to serve you!

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Additional areas we serve:

DuPont / Lacey / Rainer / Rochester / Shelton / Steilacoom / Tenino / Tumwater / Yelm

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