Property

A green sticky substance is oozing from our sockets. Who we gonna call?

Property Clinic: Your questions answered

Photograph: Getty

Tue Jun 26 2018 - 06:00

Our McInerney-built house was finished mid-1970. Some time ago I replaced one of the original light switches and two of the original sockets. Recently, a green sticky substance has been oozing from these replacements, but nothing similar has happened with the original fittings and these are all functioning perfectly. Why is this happening? Is it dangerous? Do I need to do something urgently?

I checked the diary and it’s not April 1st so I will desist from recommending you ring the electrical division at Ghostbusters!

This really is a question for an electrician or an electrical engineer. We have not come across this problem in our work before so we sought an electrician’s advice.

We would guess it has to do with the wiring. The green substance probably relates to oxidisation of the cable where the copper wire in the cable reacts with the PVC sleeving. This could be accentuated by localised dampness.

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The house would need a complete survey by an electrician. If the cable has become brittle and the insulation has begun to break down, the house should be rewired. Built in the 1970s, the socket supply would have been scarce and not suitable for modern-day living with extension leads and heavy use of mobile phone and laptop chargers.

If there is a dampness issue this should be checked by a building surveyor to establish the source and make recommendations for treatment as required.

The best advice would be to immediately contact a REC (registered electrical contractor) and have them remove the cover to examine the wiring and check that all is wired correctly. See safeelectric.ie for a registered electrician in your area. It would be best to get the whole electrical installation surveyed.

Issues may include:

– Substandard product: are the sockets and switches a recognised quality product,

– Poor workmanship by the electrician on installation; bare wires, excessive cutting of PVC sleeving, insulation, etc,

– Power surge: check all devices plugged into the offending sockets,

– Circuit breakers tripping: check for high-wattage devices, and

– Excessive heat: are the sockets and switch hot to touch?

It’s really one for an electrician rather than a surveyor. Safety around the home is paramount so don’t leave it to chance.

Pat McGovern is a chartered building surveyor and member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, scsi.ie

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