Common Lighting Problems and How We Fix Them

Lighting Issues in Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Area

Lighting is one of the most important elements of your home or business, but it can also become a source of frustration when it isn’t working properly. From flickering lights to dim bulbs or outdated fixtures, lighting issues can affect your comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. At Catman Electrical Contracting, we help homeowners and businesses throughout Dallas, Shavertown, Harveys Lake, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and the surrounding NEPA communities identify and fix lighting problems quickly and safely.

Flickering or Intermittent Lights

Flickering lights are not just annoying — they can indicate underlying electrical issues such as loose wiring, faulty switches, or overloaded circuits. In many older homes around Dallas and Wilkes-Barre, these problems show up as lights that dim or blink when appliances turn on. Our experienced electricians can diagnose the cause, repair wiring connections, replace faulty switches, or upgrade your electrical system to stop the flickering and ensure reliable lighting.

fixing repairing a ceiling light in a residential home

Dim or Weak Lighting

If your lights seem too dim even with new bulbs, it may be caused by voltage drops, aging wiring, or incompatible fixtures. Catman Electrical Contracting evaluates your electrical system, identifies weak points, and installs appropriate solutions like new wiring, updated fixtures, or energy-efficient LED lighting to restore brightness and improve your space.

Dead Outlets or Non-Working Fixtures

Sometimes, lights won’t turn on because of a defective outlet, switch, or fixture. Our team quickly identifies the root of the problem, replacing damaged outlets, switches, or fixtures as needed. We ensure your lighting is safe, functional, and up to code, giving you peace of mind and reliable performance.

Outdated or Inefficient Lighting

Old fixtures or inefficient bulbs can increase energy costs and provide poor illumination, especially in older homes around Dallas, Shavertown, and Wilkes-Barre where outdated wiring and aging lighting setups are still common. We help homeowners and businesses upgrade to modern, energy-efficient solutions such as LED lighting, smart switches, and updated fixtures. These improvements not only enhance lighting quality but also reduce electricity bills and long-term maintenance needs.

Lighting Issues in NEPA Recap

Here are the most common lighting issues we see in NEPA homes and businesses — along with the typical solutions our electricians use to fix them:

Flickering or Intermittent Lights

Possible Causes: Loose wiring, failing switches, overloaded circuits, weak connections.

Solution: Tighten or replace wiring/electrical connections, replace the switch, or balance the circuit load.

Dim or Weak Lighting

Possible Causes: Old fixtures, incompatible bulbs, voltage drop, or outdated wiring.

Solution: Upgrade fixtures, install proper LED bulbs, or correct wiring issues causing voltage loss.

Lights That Buzz or Hum

Possible Causes: Loose components, older fluorescent fixtures, or incompatible dimmers.

Solution: Replace ballast/fixture, use compatible dimmer switches, or secure loose hardware.

Lights That Trip the Breaker

Possible Causes: Overloaded circuits, short circuits, or failing fixtures.

Solution: Redistribute electrical load, repair the fault, or replace the problematic fixture.

Dead Outlets or Non-Working Fixtures

Possible Causes: Faulty switches, damaged wiring, worn-out fixtures, or GFCI issues.

Solution: Replace the switch/fixture, repair wiring, or reset/replace the GFCI.

Lights That Turn On/Off Randomly

Possible Causes: Loose wiring, failing motion sensors, overheating fixture, or faulty smart bulbs.

Solution: Repair wiring, replace sensors/bulbs, or upgrade to modern fixtures.

Buzzing or Flickering When Using a Dimmer

Possible Causes: Incorrect dimmer type or incompatible LED bulbs.

Solution: Install LED-compatible dimmers and proper bulbs.

Hot Light Switches or Fixtures

Possible Causes: Overloaded circuit, failing switch, or bulb wattage too high.

Solution: Replace switch, correct the circuit, or install bulbs within fixture limits.

Uneven Lighting or Dark Spots in Rooms

Possible Causes: Poor fixture placement, old bulbs, or insufficient lumen output.

Solution: Add fixtures, upgrade bulb brightness, or redesign lighting layout.

Outdoor Lights That Fail Often

Possible Causes: Water intrusion, corrosion, damaged wiring, or bad photocells/timers.

Solution: Replace outdoor-rated fixtures, repair wiring, and install weather-resistant components.

Trust Catman Electrical Contracting for All Your Lighting Needs

Whether you’re dealing with flickering lights, dim spaces, dead outlets, or outdated fixtures, Catman Electrical Contracting has the experience and expertise to fix it fast. From troubleshooting and repairs to upgrades and installation, we deliver professional solutions that keep your home or business bright, safe, and efficient.

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