Green goo in your electrics, also known as cable greening, is a rather unpleasant sign that the PVC coating on your electrical wiring is degrading.
Most commonly found in properties that were rewired in the late sixties and early seventies, finding green goo in your electrics requires a visit from your local electrician. If you are based in Birkenshaw, Bradford or the surrounding area, Quality Electrician are your local, trusted electrician and we will be happy to explain what that green goo means for you.
What is Green Goo?
Green goo in your electrics looks like Fairy Liquid leaking from your switches or sockets. Often it isn’t noticed until an electrical job such as replacing a light switch is carried out but, in more severe cases, it can be found dribbling down the wall. The green goo is produced as the PVC in your electrical cable degrades and reacts with the copper wiring. This occurs due to a fault in the manufacturing practice which resulted in a plasticiser being used that, when warm, reacts with copper and produces the tacky green substance you can now see.
Is Green Goo Dangerous?
Green goo presents many issues and potential hazards to your health and safety. The green goo itself is an irritant and should not be touched without gloves. If skin contact is made it can cause dermatitis and skin rashes. Extra care should be taken to ensure children and pets do not touch the goo. The other risk to touching the green goo is that it is conductive and could, therefore, facilitate an electric shock. Many homeowners are also concerned about the fumes given off by the process, but these are at low levels that are not considered hazardous to health. The main risk is that the presence of green goo in your electrics suggests your electrical installation is degrading and may be unsafe. For example, a build-up of green goo in a socket could cause it to overheat and potentially start a fire. It can also cause your electrical cables to become brittle and increase the risk of short circuit faults.
What do I do about Green Goo in my Electrics?
It can be tempting to just replace the affected sockets or switches, but this doesn’t fix the underlying issue and can give you a false sense of security. To tackle the issue properly and to keep you and your family safe, you need a full rewire. This rewire must completely remove the existing cable or the issue will reoccur. It is common for electricians to leave the old cabling in place during a rewire. The wiring will be cut off and disconnected but it is not physically pulled out. This is to reduce costs and disruption to the homeowner. However, if green goo is discovered all the existing wiring must be removed. Make sure that the electrician you choose to rewire your property understands this otherwise you will find more green goo will appear, starting the process afresh.
If you are based in Birkenshaw, Bradford or the surrounding area and you are concerned about green goo in your electrics, contact Quality Electrician today. Fully qualified, NICEIC registered and with a wealth of experience, we are the local electrician you can rely upon. Based in Birkenshaw, we come highly recommended and are proud of our reputation for high quality workmanship and commitment to great service. Call us now.
