Electrical safety inspection - What are the dos and don'ts?

[nomzero]

Hi,

Have an electrical safety inspection on our first property. Since the place had been vacant for a few years.
My question relates to the condition of the house. It is a big dump (lot of junk and garbage still
Inside). There is also some superficial damage to the dry wall etc. Does all this make a difference? Has anyone had any experience with an inspection like this in similar conditions. Junked place etc etc.

Any insight would be helpful.
 

[Frank]

You might want to hire a certified electrician to come in and review what is there first, and tell you what needs to be done in order to get ESA approval, your electricity won't be reconnected until the ESA approves it, and if it is as bad as I suspect having them come in and inspect it will just be a waste of money.  The ESA guys don't take too kindly to being used as substitutes, they want to come in when it is ready. 

[johny]

Hi,

Have an electrical safety inspection on our first property. Since the place had been vacant for a few years.
My question relates to the condition of the house. It is a big dump (lot of junk and garbage still
Inside). There is also some superficial damage to the dry wall etc. Does all this make a difference? Has anyone had any experience with an inspection like this in similar conditions. Junked place etc etc.

Any insight would be helpful.
 

It sounds like you have booked a "general inspection" with ESA.  That would be required to get the hydro turned back on if it's been off for a long period of time (I believe it's 6 month's or more).

The inspector is just looking at the electrical so he won't care about the garbage.  Some holes in the drywall shouldn't matter either as long as the wiring behind it is in good shape.  He will be looking for electrical issues that are dangerous or not up to code such as open air connections, damaged wire, missing box cover's, etc.  If he find's anything he doesn't like he will give you a list of deficiencies to correct before you can get the hydro turned back on. 

If you think there are any electrical issues then you could take Frank's advice and have an electrician come in before ESA shows up.  It may save you some time as you won't have to wait for them to mail you a deficiency list, take out a new permit to do the work, fix the issues and then wait for them to come back and inspect again.  If you think the wiring is Ok then you can just get it inspected and save yourself some money.