Visual Inspection
One of the first things to do when your appliance, lamp, or electrical device stops working is to check the outlet and electrical cords for signs of damage. Most of the time, a malfunctioning power outlet is a culprit. Keep an eye out for signs of damage, such as discoloration. You should also check all plugs and cords for breaks, fraying, and other damage. Finally, replace the damaged outlet or cord.
Try a Different Outlet
Try plugging your lamp or device into a different outlet if your outlet and power cord do not seem to have a problem. This way, you can determine whether the outlet or the electrical item is defective. You can be sure that the outlet is the problem if your device works after plugging it into a different outlet.
Reset the GFCI
One of the most common reasons an outlet will stop working is because it is connected to a GFCI outlet that has tripped a circuit. Your outlet will most likely have a reset button. If you cannot find it, the reset button will be on another outlet within that circuit. The reset button for the entire circuit is located on a GFCI outlet that can either be in your bathroom, kitchen, or in a more obscure location such as the garage or laundry room. Resetting a GFCI, once you find it, is an easy fix for a dead outlet.
Check the Breaker Panel
There are times when, instead of the outlet, the circuit breaker is the problem. You can usually tell which breaker has gone bad by examining your home’s breaker panel. There are clearly labeled circuits on your breaker panels that designate which of them are for the different parts of the house. If this is the case, you can resolve the issue just by switching the breaker off and then back on. If it still does not work, you might have a breaker that has gone bad or has a loose connection. If that is the case, then the breaker is due for replacement.
Call Your Landlord
You must always let your landlord know about any electrical issues you experience. Call them and report the problem as well as the steps you have taken to solve it. It may simply be a call to tell them you had an issue but you were able to troubleshoot it yourself. But if these issues happen very often, it could signal some bigger electrical problems. If there are still non-working outlets after some troubleshooting, your landlord will need to call a professional electrician to diagnose the problem. Either way, good communication with your Tampa property manager is the best way to get electrical issues permanently resolved.
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