Something doesn’t feel right.
You flip a light switch in your Fair Oaks home, and it pops.
Or maybe the power’s out in half your house, and the panel smells hot.
When that happens, you don’t have time to guess, you need help fast.
At Old Town Electric our emergency electricians have handled hundreds of late-night calls around Sacramento. We’ve seen melted outlets, sparking panels, and burned wires inside walls. Most started small. Almost all could’ve turned worse if the homeowner had waited.
So, let’s talk about what really counts as an electrical emergency, what to do first, and how our team handles it when you call.
Table of Contents
What Counts as an Electrical Emergency
Here’s the rule: if it feels unsafe, it probably is.
But there are a few clear signs that mean you should call an emergency electrician in Sacramento right away:
- You smell burning plastic or hot metal.
That’s insulation or wiring cooking behind the wall. - You see sparks when plugging in or turning something on.
- Your breaker keeps tripping and won’t reset for long.
- Part of your house loses power while the rest stays on.
- Water hits an outlet or electrical panel.
- You hear buzzing or crackling from switches or walls.
- You feel heat from an outlet or panel.
We see this a lot in older neighborhoods, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, East Sacramento, where homes built in the ’60s and ’70s still use original wiring and outdated panels. Those systems weren’t made for modern loads like air fryers, EV chargers, and HVAC units running at once.
What to Do Before Help Arrives
If you’re waiting for a Sacramento emergency electrician, here’s what to do, and what not to:
- Cut power if you safely can.
If you smell burning or see smoke, shut off the main breaker. But if you have to cross water or stand on metal, wait outside and let us handle it. - Unplug what’s in the problem area.
This stops extra current from flowing through a bad outlet or circuit. - Stay clear of smoke or sparks.
Electricity can jump, don’t try to inspect it up close. - Never use water on an electrical fire.
If flames start, use a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires (Class C). Or leave and call 911. - Keep everyone away.
That includes pets, kids, and curious neighbors.
These simple steps can stop a bad situation from turning dangerous before our crew gets there.
Why Quick Action Matters
Electricity doesn’t wait.
A small arc behind drywall can heat up fast. We’ve been called to homes in Rocklin and Folsom where a single bad connection scorched a stud within an hour. By the time the homeowner smelled something, they were minutes from a full-blown fire.
That’s why we always tell Sacramento homeowners: if it smells wrong, sounds wrong, or looks wrong, call us. It’s better to spend $200 on a quick repair than $20,000 rebuilding after fire damage.
A Real Call From the Field
A few months ago, we got a 9:30 p.m. call from a family in Carmichael. Their kitchen lights flickered, and they heard popping from the ceiling.
When we arrived, we found heat marks around a recessed light and a melted wire connector. The wiring had been chewed by a squirrel in the attic, shorting the circuit. We killed power, replaced the damaged wiring, checked nearby connections, and got them safely back on.
That’s not unusual. We’ve seen everything from water-logged panels in Roseville garages to melted outlets behind laundry machines in Fair Oaks. Each one started as “just a flicker.”
How We Handle Electrical Emergencies
When you call Old Town Electric, here’s what happens next:
- We pick up, fast.
No call centers or hold music. You’ll talk directly with one of our team members. - We walk you through safety steps.
We’ll tell you how to stay safe until we arrive. - We inspect, test, and isolate the issue.
Once on site, we check the panel, circuits, and wiring paths using voltage testers and infrared scanners. - We fix what’s urgent right away.
If it’s a bad outlet or melted breaker, we repair it on the spot. - We plan follow-up for bigger repairs.
If your panel needs replacing or wiring needs to be redone, we’ll make it safe overnight and schedule a full repair the next day.
Every job ends with a full safety check, grounding, breaker tension, and load balance, all up to SMUD and NEC code.
What Emergency Electrical Repairs Usually Cost
Let’s be real. Emergency service isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it.
Here’s what affects cost:
- Timing: Nights and weekends run higher due to overtime rates.
- Severity: Replacing a burnt outlet might run a few hundred. Rebuilding a damaged panel could be over a thousand.
- Parts: Older homes often need upgraded breakers or wiring.
- Access: Attic or crawl-space work takes more time.
We give clear estimates before touching anything. No surprises, no “extra fees.” Just honest, local work that holds up.
Common Myths About Electrical Emergencies
You’d be surprised how often we hear these:
- “If the lights come back on, it’s fine.”
Nope. It might just be a loose wire that reconnected temporarily. - “I can tape it up for now.”
Electrical tape hides danger, it doesn’t fix it. - “My home’s new, so it’s safe.”
Even new construction can have wiring shortcuts or loose terminals. - “The power company will handle it.”
SMUD handles power up to your meter. Everything inside is yours.
Why Hire a Local Sacramento Electrician
Working on Sacramento homes is different from other areas.
We’ve got clay soil that messes with grounding rods. We’ve got hot summers that strain old panels. And we’ve got plenty of homes built before modern safety codes.
At Old Town Electric, our team lives here. We know which neighborhoods have aluminum wiring, which breaker brands fail most often, and what SMUD inspectors look for during upgrades.
That’s the kind of knowledge you don’t get from a franchise or out-of-town crew.
Preventing Future Electrical Emergencies
Once we get your system safe, we always talk prevention. A few tips can make a big difference:
- Schedule an annual inspection.
Especially if your home’s 30+ years old or uses an older panel like Zinsco or Federal Pacific. - Replace outlets that feel warm.
That’s resistance building up, a sign of trouble. - Upgrade your panel if it’s under 150 amps and you’re adding new appliances or EV chargers.
- Install surge protection.
Sacramento storms and PG&E surges can fry sensitive electronics. - Label your breakers clearly.
You’ll save time in the next emergency.
Why Homeowners Trust Old Town Electric
Here’s what makes us different:
- Real experience. We’ve worked in every corner of Sacramento, from East Sac to Roseville.
- Licensed, insured, and local. No subcontractors, no call-outs from other cities.
- 24/7 emergency service. When the power goes out, we’re already on the road.
- Fair pricing and full transparency. You’ll know what it costs before we start.
- Safety first, every time. We follow SMUD and NEC standards on every job.
We treat every house like it’s our own. That’s why so many homeowners call us again, not just for emergencies, but for upgrades and remodels too.
Call Old Town Electric, Sacramento’s Trusted Emergency Electricians
If something smells hot, sparks, or keeps tripping, don’t wait to see if it goes away.
Turn off power, stay safe, and call Old Town Electric, your local emergency electricians in Sacramento.
We’ll pick up 24/7, show up fast, and make sure your home is safe before we leave. Whether you’re in Folsom, Rocklin, Fair Oaks, or right here in Sacramento, our team is ready to help.
