When lights suddenly won't work, GFCI outlets are the usual suspects | Home and Garden

Read article : When lights suddenly won't work, GFCI outlets are the usual suspects | Home and Garden

Q • I have several lights that went out at the same time. None of the circuit breakers appears stripped. Any ideas? — K.W., St. Charles

I can't tell you how many times someone has described exactly the situation you have. I also can't tell you how many times we've been able to fix the problem over the phone. So, for our readers, pay attention, and you may not even have to make the call.

If you have any GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets in your home, this is most likely the problem. A GFCI outlet is one that has two buttons between the receptacles. One says "test" and the other says "reset."

Begin by going to any known GFCI in your home; you can find them in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, basement, even outside. Push the reset button in. If it clicks as you push it, this is likely the problem. Go see whether your lights now work. If not, continue attempting to reset any other GFCIs by pushing the reset button.

If you have checked all of them, check again. Look behind couches and beds. If you can't find any more, then go to the circuit panel. Look to see if any circuit breaker is even slightly moved from the "on" position. Sometimes when a circuit breaker trips, it doesn't move all the way over to the "off" position.

If you still don't see one tripped, then begin by turning off the 15 and 20 amp breakers. Be sure to turn off any computers or TVs first. Just flip the breaker to the "off" position, wait one or two seconds, then turn it back on. Continue through the breakers, then go and check your lights.

If this still hasn't solved the problem, then it's time to call an electrician.

Monthly maintenance reminders

• Inspect fences, decks and other exterior wood for power washing and staining needs.

• Reverse ceiling fan rotation for summer.

• Change batteries in your smoke detectors.

• Wash and reinstall screens.

• Clean/change your furnace filters.

• Consider any new outdoor projects you'd like to have done for the summer.

Steve Cloninger is the owner of Get It Done Home Repairs & Maintenance. Visit his website at getitdoneinc.com.