Home Inspector Answers: “What if my circuit breaker keeps tripping after I reset it?”

Breaker in "tripped" position
The photo in this article is from an inspection we did in Fort Worth a few weeks back, on an existing home. It shows a circuit breaker in the “tripped” position. As you can see, the switch is neither on, or off, and there should be no power on this circuit.

At House Exam Inspection, our policy when we find a circuit breaker that is “tripped” is to take a photo of it, include it in the report it as a deficiency, and recommend that a licensed electrician evaluate the problem and repair it as needed.

The reason? Simple: we don’t know what caused the breaker to “trip,” turning the power off to that particular circuit. A tripped circuit breaker is a clue that there is a problem in the wiring, or in the devices attached or plugged into the wiring. The safest thing to do is to pay attention to the clue we’ve been given.

If you live in a house where a breaker continues to trip, especially if you have reset it more than once, the best advice we can give you is to leave it tripped, and call a licensed electrician and have the circuit checked out and repaired as needed. It could be something simple, like a faulty breaker. Or it could be something serious that could cause an electrical fire.

Don’t risk the safety and health of your family! Stop ignoring tripped circuit breakers!

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Benbrook, TX Inspection Review

We were very pleased with your polite, sincere, and conscientious determination to do a complete and painstaking job on such a hot day. We will be happy to recommend you to anyone in the future. Thanks again.
Joy H.

Benbrook, TX Inspection Review
Fort Worth Home Inspection

As first time buyers, my fiancé and I were initially very nervous and unsure of the inspection process.
Adam took time to thoroughly explain the process and made simple recommendations as we walked through the house. He was very professional and patient with our questions!
The report was detailed and easy to read. We presented the home owner a copy to make negotiations- he commented how thorough it was and wished he used your services years ago when he first bought the home! We are very pleased and thankful for your services- happy to recommend you to friends and family.
L. MCAULIFFE

Fort Worth Home Inspection
Review – Home Inspection Keller, TX

"We would like to commend Adam on the thorough job that he did at our home inspection.
“Adam found a very small leak that many people would have missed. When this leak was tracked down, it was determined to be either in or under the slab. Exactly what we did not want.
“We turned the house down.
“The value of your service was outstanding because it saved us many thousands of dollars, as well as the time and headaches it would have cost to repair the leak.
“We certainly will using House Exam for our future inspection needs."
D&D Property Mgmt.

Review – Home Inspection Keller, TX
Ft. Worth Property Inspection Review

Thank you for this unusually thorough inspection report. I’ve had a number of inspections run in Texas and California, but yours is easily the most thorough I’ve ever read. As an out of state purchaser, the inspection is that much more important since I can’t see the property first hand, and you have helped us significantly. If you ever need an out of state reference, I’d be very pleased to describe what a great job you’ve done for us.
Best regards,
Steven B.

Ft. Worth Property Inspection Review