Why It’s Important to Have an EICR Carried Out
Last month, we carried out an EICR on a 1980s detached house in Knowle. The homeowner was planning a kitchen extension and thought everything was fine. Within 20 minutes, we’d found three potentially fatal issues that could have caused a house fire.
This isn’t unusual. Over 15 years serving Solihull, we’ve uncovered dangerous electrical problems in properties that looked perfectly safe on the surface. Here’s what an EICR actually finds – and why it matters.
Real EICR Findings from Solihull Properties
🔥 The Extension That Nearly Didn’t Happen
Location: Shirley, 4-bed semi-detached
The homeowner had architects ready and builders lined up for a rear extension. Our EICR revealed the main earthing conductor had corroded through at the connection point – meaning the entire property had no effective earth protection. If they’d started the extension work and someone had touched a faulty appliance, the RCD wouldn’t have tripped. Potential for fatal electric shock.
Cost to fix: £180. Cost if found after building work started: £2,000+ in delays and remedial work.
⚡ The Melting Consumer Unit
Location: Dorridge, 1960s bungalow
Thermal imaging during the EICR showed one circuit running 15°C hotter than it should. When we opened the consumer unit, a loose connection had been arcing for months – the busbar was scorched and the plastic casing had started to melt. The homeowner had noticed nothing unusual.
Result: Immediate isolation of circuit. This was weeks away from causing an electrical fire.
💧 The Outdoor Socket Death Trap
Location: Knowle, detached property
An outdoor socket installed by a previous homeowner had no RCD protection and an IP rating of zero – basically just an indoor socket screwed to an external wall. Water had been seeping in for years. Testing showed the casing was live at 240V. Anyone touching it while standing on wet grass could have been killed.
The kicker: The family’s children had been using it to charge their tablets in the summer house.
🏠 The “Rewired” House That Wasn’t
Location: Solihull town centre, Victorian terrace
Homebuyer’s EICR revealed the property advertised as “recently rewired” had only had the visible sockets and switches replaced. All the concealed wiring was 1970s rubber-insulated cable that crumbled when touched. Insulation resistance tests failed on every circuit.
Impact: House sale nearly collapsed. Buyer negotiated £8,000 off asking price for a complete rewire.
🛡️ The RCD That Stopped Working
Location: Bentley Heath, 1990s new build
The consumer unit looked modern and the homeowner assumed everything was fine because “it’s only 30 years old.” RCD testing revealed both devices were mechanically stuck – they clicked but didn’t actually disconnect the power. The property had been unprotected against electric shock for years, possibly decades.
Cost to fix: £320 for a new dual-RCD consumer unit. Value: Potentially life-saving.
What Makes These Properties Dangerous?
None of these homeowners knew they had problems. Circuit breakers didn’t trip. Lights didn’t flicker. Everything seemed normal. That’s exactly why EICRs exist – to find the dangerous issues you can’t see.
The problems we find most often in Solihull properties:
- Deteriorated cable insulation – especially in pre-1980s properties where rubber insulation has perished
- Missing or failed RCD protection – older properties never had it, newer ones where devices have mechanically failed
- DIY electrical work – dangerous additions that look fine but aren’t compliant or safe
- Loose connections – the leading cause of electrical fires in UK homes
- Inadequate earthing and bonding – particularly in older properties or where modifications have been made
While safety is the priority, many homeowners are surprised by how affordable an EICR actually is — especially compared to the cost of remedial work or property damage.
When Should You Get an EICR?
For homeowners in Solihull, an EICR is recommended every 10 years. But you should book one sooner if:
- You’re planning any building work or extensions
- You’re buying or selling a property
- Your property is over 25 years old and has never been tested
- You’ve had any electrical problems – even minor ones
- The property has had DIY electrical work done
Landlords legally require EICRs every 5 years under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020.
More in the EICR Series
This article is part of Farthing Electrical’s EICR guide series. For comprehensive information on all aspects of electrical inspections in Solihull:
- EICR Solihull: Complete Guide to Electrical Installation Condition Reports
- How Much Does an EICR Cost in Solihull? 2026 Pricing Guide
- Understanding Your EICR Certificate: What Does It Actually Mean?
- EICR for Landlords in Solihull: Complete Compliance Guide
- EICR Failed: What Happens Next for Solihull Homeowners
Book Your EICR in Solihull
Don’t wait for electrical problems to show themselves. An EICR finds dangerous issues before they cause fires, injuries, or costly damage.
📞 Call us: 0121 674 4014
📧 Email: info@farthingelectrical.co.uk
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Areas Covered
Farthing Electrical provides professional electrician services throughout Solihull, Knowle, Dorridge, Dickens Heath, Shirley, Lapworth, Kings Heath, Moseley, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. We regularly work across all Solihull postcodes (B90-B94) and surrounding areas. Available for both domestic and commercial electrical projects with evening and weekend appointments to fit around your schedule.
Services Overview
Farthing Electrical offers comprehensive electrical services including fault finding and repairs, consumer unit replacements, EICR electrical testing, PAT testing, lighting design, smart home installations and emergency callouts. Fully insured with public liability and professional indemnity cover. All work is NICEIC certified and completed to BS 7671:2018 regulations with full certification provided. Free quotes available, and all installations come with a minimum 12-month guarantee.