A socket has stopped working, feels warm to touch, is scorched around the pins, or a switch has started arcing or crackling when you flick it. None of that is cosmetic. Warmth and discolouration around a socket mean a connection is loosening and heating up every time it’s used, and that heat only gets worse with time, not better.
Why this comes up
A terminal screw that has worked loose over years of plugging and unplugging.
An overloaded double adaptor or extension lead left plugged in permanently.
Age: older accessories were not built to the same standard as current ones.
Physical damage from furniture, moisture, or a previous poor installation.
A DIY socket installation that was never inspected or certified.
Water ingress from an appliance leak near a socket at floor level.
How we handle it
Isolate and test the circuit before opening anything, so there’s no assumption about what’s live.
Inspect the terminals for loose connections, heat damage, and discolouration.
Replace the accessory and any heat-damaged cable tails behind it.
Check the rest of the circuit for the same fault, since heat damage is rarely isolated to one point.
Test under load before calling the job finished.
What to expect
Straightforward replacements are usually under an hour, in and out with minimal disruption. If the cable behind the accessory is damaged, we’ll tell you before doing the work, not after, so there are no surprises on the invoice or the timeline. If several points on the same circuit are showing the same warning signs, we’ll flag it so you can decide whether to address them together rather than one at a time.
What it costs
Priced per point plus labour. Doing several on the same visit costs less per unit than booking separate call-outs for each one, so if you’ve noticed more than one point acting up, it’s worth mentioning all of them upfront. A written quote covers exactly what we’ve found, so there’s nothing added later that wasn’t part of the conversation on site.
Common questions
My socket is warm but still works. Is that urgent?
Yes. A warm socket means a loose connection generating heat every time it’s used. It gets worse, not better, and it’s a genuine fire risk.
Can you add a double where I have a single?
Usually, yes, and it’s far cheaper than running a whole new circuit if the existing one has capacity.
Why did my switch start crackling?
Arcing inside the switch, almost always a loose or corroded contact. It should be replaced before it fails completely or damages the wiring behind it.
Is it safe to keep using a scorched socket?
No. Stop using it and switch off the circuit if you can, until it’s checked. Scorching means heat has already been generated, and the damage doesn’t reverse itself.
Do all my sockets need to match?
No, but if a few are the same age and one has failed from heat, it’s worth checking the others while we’re there rather than waiting for the next one to go.
How do I know if a socket needs replacing?
Warmth, discolouration, a loose plug fit, or visible scorching are all signs. Any one of them is worth getting checked rather than waited out.
Can a switch fault damage other appliances?
It can, particularly arcing that puts an inconsistent supply through to whatever’s plugged in. Getting it fixed quickly limits the risk to anything connected.