“You Watt?!” – 5 Shocking Electrical Mistakes We See in Hertford and Ware Homes

Let’s face it—there’s DIY, and then there’s “Dad tried to wire the extension with a YouTube tutorial” DIY. As an electrician serving Hertford, Ware, and the surrounding areas, we’ve seen it all—from fairy lights wired into fuse boxes, to sockets that work only when the kettle’s unplugged.

So, if you’re wondering whether your home electrics are safe, or just slightly possessed, here are 5 of the most common (and hilarious) electrical issues we fix in homes across Hertford and Ware.

1. The “Mystery Switch”

That one switch in your hallway that turns absolutely nothing on? Yep. We’ve met it. We’ve tested it. Sometimes we even find it wired to... nothing. Or worse—wired to something you probably don’t want switched off, like your fridge.

🛠️ JB Tip: If you’ve got mystery switches or dead sockets, get them checked. They might be harmless… or hiding a wiring mess behind the wall.

2. Garden Lighting That’s... Creative

We get it—mood lighting in the garden is great. But when your outdoor socket is held on with duct tape and protected by a plastic sandwich bag, it’s less “relaxing summer evening” and more “electrical nightmare in Hertford.”

🌧️ JB Tip: Outdoor electrics need proper weatherproofing. And no, cling film doesn’t count.

3. Extension Leads Galore

If your living room looks like Spider-Man exploded behind your TV, you’ve got too many extension leads. We’ve seen more tangled wires than the local dog park in Ware.

⚡ JB Tip: If you need more sockets, we can install safe, tidy, actual sockets. No more “daisy-chaining” four-way extensions like it’s a power-hungry Christmas tree.

4. Old Fuse Boards Still Rocking the '80s

Still got a fuse board with actual wire fuses or no RCD protection? You’re not just old-school—you’re risking safety. Modern consumer units protect you and your family from shocks, fires, and weird flickering lights that feel like a horror film set.

🔧 JB Tip: We offer EICRs (Electrical Installation Condition Reports) across Hertford and Ware. It’s like an MOT for your electrics, minus the annoying garage coffee.

5. DIY “Sparky” Jobs Gone Wrong

You thought you could wire in a new light. You followed a YouTube tutorial from 2009. Now your kitchen lights flash when someone rings the doorbell.

🙃 JB Tip: We love a bit of DIY spirit—but for electrics, it’s always safer (and usually cheaper in the long run) to get a qualified electrician. Like us. Who don’t set fire to things.

Need a Local Electrician in Hertford or Ware?

At JB Electrical Herts, we specialise in safe, certified electrical installations, repairs, testing and lighting upgrades in both domestic and commercial properties. Whether it’s a fuse board upgrade, new sockets, EICR for landlords, or emergency fault finding—we’ve got the tools and the talent.

And the best part? We don’t talk in jargon, we turn up on time, and we might even make you laugh while fixing your lights.

📍 Based in Hertford & Ware

📞 Get in touch: 07977817086

🔌 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fixes, tips, and the occasional dodgy wiring photo.

JB Electrical Herts – The spark you can trust.(And the one who won’t judge your extension lead choices. Much.)