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If you’ve spotted green goo on electrics, you’re probably wondering what on earth it is and whether you need to worry.
The good news is that it doesn’t automatically mean you need a full rewire, but it is definitely something worth getting checked. At Tyne Electrical Services, we’d usually recommend starting with an EICR, which for a typical three-bedroom property could cost around £150–£250. This gives us a much better idea of what’s happening with the wiring and what needs to be done.
What causes green goo on electrics?
Now, you might be thinking, “How on earth has that got there?” It can look rather strange!
That sticky green residue can actually come from the insulation around older electrical cables as it starts to deteriorate. Over time, the materials used in some older cables can break down, leaving behind an oily or sticky substance that can work its way out around sockets, switches and other electrical accessories.
It’s not something you should simply wipe away and forget about. If you’ve noticed green goo on electrics, it’s worth getting an electrician to take a proper look, particularly if you live in an older property.
We recently visited a homeowner in Axminster after they noticed green residue coming from behind a couple of sockets in their living room, as well as around a light switch in the hallway.
It was a three-bedroom terraced house built in the late 1960s, so we already knew there was a good chance some of the original wiring could still be there.
The previous homeowner had partially rewired the property around 20 years ago when the kitchen and upstairs were remodelled. However, the rest of the house still contained older wiring, and there were also signs that some of the electrical work had been carried out as DIY. We had a chat with the homeowner about what they had noticed and explained that the green goo on electrics was likely linked to the older wiring starting to deteriorate.
Why an EICR is a good starting point
An EICR allows us to properly check the condition of the electrical installation and identify any problems that might not be obvious just by looking at the sockets and switches.
It’s particularly useful in older homes, or properties where different electrical work has been carried out over the years.
Following the EICR, we were able to give the homeowner a much clearer picture of what was going on. Unfortunately, the condition of the existing wiring, combined with the DIY nature of some of the previous work, meant that we recommended a full rewire.
It might sound like a big job when you've only noticed green goo on electrics, but sometimes that little bit of green residue is your first clue that the wiring behind the walls needs some attention.
Should you be worried about green goo on electrics?
There’s no need to panic, but it’s definitely not something we'd recommend ignoring if you notice green residue around your sockets, switches or other electrical accessories, don't try to remove or investigate the wiring yourself. Give a qualified electrician a call and let them take a look.
An EICR can be a great place to start because it gives you a proper assessment of the condition of the wiring and helps you understand whether you need a small repair, further investigation or more substantial work.
If you've spotted green goo on electrics and you're looking for a friendly, reliable electrician in Axminster, Tyne Electrical Services is here to help. Contact us today by phone on 01297 807125 or via our contact form.