Troubleshooting and repairs · Toronto & GTA
Electrical troubleshooting and repairs in Toronto and the GTA
Dead outlets, a breaker that won't stay on, lights that flicker for no reason. We find the cause, not just the symptom, explain it in plain language, and fix it properly once you've agreed the price.
How we troubleshoot
Symptoms are clues, not the fault
A dead outlet in the living room can be caused by a tripped GFCI in the bathroom, a loose wire three outlets down the line, or a failed connection in a junction box behind the drywall. Replacing the outlet you can see rarely fixes it. Good troubleshooting means working through the circuit methodically: what's on it, where it starts, what changed recently, and what the meter says at each point.
That's how we approach every call, whether it's a condo in downtown Toronto or a house in Richmond Hill. We ask questions first. When did it start? Does it happen at a certain time of day, or when something specific turns on? Was anything renovated or added recently? The answers often point straight at the fault.
When to call the emergency line instead
If you smell burning, see scorch marks, hear buzzing from the panel, or have water near wiring, don't wait for an appointment. Turn off the affected circuit if it's safe to reach and call our 24/7 emergency line.
Common calls
Problems we're called for most
Breakers that keep tripping
An overloaded circuit, a failing appliance, or a short or ground fault in the wiring. We find which one.
Outlet not working but breaker not tripped
Often a tripped GFCI elsewhere or a loose connection upstream. Sometimes a failed device or a damaged cable.
Flickering or dimming lights
From an incompatible dimmer to a loose neutral, which can affect a whole part of the house. Worth checking early.
Warm switch plates or outlets
Heat means resistance: a loose terminal, a worn device or an overloaded circuit. Stop using it until it's checked.
GFCI that won't reset
Moisture in an outdoor or bathroom outlet, a ground fault downstream, or a device at the end of its life.
Half the house without power
Can be a main breaker issue, a utility problem or a lost leg of the service. We help you tell which, and who to call.
A quick reference
What a symptom usually means
| Symptom | Likely causes | What we check first |
|---|---|---|
| One breaker trips when an appliance runs | Overloaded circuit, or the appliance itself is faulty | The load on the circuit and the appliance's draw |
| Breaker trips with nothing plugged in | Short circuit or ground fault in the wiring or a device | Each device and junction on the circuit, insulation resistance |
| Several outlets dead in one area | Tripped GFCI or AFCI, or a loose connection upstream | Protective devices, then connections from the panel outward |
| Lights dim when the furnace or AC starts | Heavy motor start on a shared or undersized circuit, or a loose neutral | Voltage at the panel and at the fixture under load |
| Lights brighten and dim across the house | A loose or failing neutral at the service or panel | Service neutral and panel connections. Call promptly. |
How it works
From your call to a working circuit
You call or send a request
Tell us what's happening. If it sounds urgent, we treat it as an emergency.
A few questions
When it started, what's on the circuit, and anything that changed recently.
Diagnosis on site
We trace the circuit, test as we go, and find the cause.
Your options and the price
We explain the fault and what it costs to fix before doing the repair.
The repair
Fixed properly, tested, and permitted with ESA where the work needs it.
Some faults take patience
Intermittent problems
The hardest faults to find are the ones that come and go: a breaker that trips once a week, lights that flicker only on cold mornings. For these, we narrow it down on the first visit, sometimes leave a circuit isolated or monitored, and come back with a plan. We'll always tell you where we are and what the next step costs before taking it.
If the fault turns out to be a symptom of something bigger, like a panel near the end of its life or wiring that's past repair, we'll tell you that honestly and lay out the options, from a targeted fix to a panel upgrade or partial rewire.
Marrast Contracting did an outstanding job installing my EV outlet. Shaldin and his team delivered exactly what I wanted, with minimal touch-ups needed afterwards. The process was clear, cost-effective, and I always knew what to expect. Shaldin went above and beyond to make sure I was completely satisfied. I'll definitely be turning to them again for future projects.
Questions
Troubleshooting and repairs: common questions
How does a service call work?
A service or diagnostic call is a first visit to find the cause of a problem. We give you the rate when you book, test the circuit, tell you what we found, and give you the price to fix it before we do any work. Many simple jobs can also be priced from photos.
What if the problem takes a while to find?
Most problems are found well within the first visit. Intermittent faults, the kind that come and go, can take longer. We'll tell you what we've ruled out, what we suspect, and how much more time it's likely to take before carrying on, so you're never surprised by the bill.
Should I keep resetting a breaker that keeps tripping?
No. A breaker that trips repeatedly is doing its job: something on that circuit is drawing too much current or has a fault. Unplug what's on the circuit and try once. If it trips again with nothing plugged in, leave it off and call us.
Is a flickering light dangerous?
Sometimes it's just a bulb or a dimmer that doesn't suit LED lamps. If several lights flicker, if it happens when large appliances start, or if you smell something warm, it can point to a loose connection, which needs attention soon.
Do you offer 24/7 emergency service?
Yes. For an electrical emergency call (647) 930-2907 any time, day or night. If you see smoke or fire, leave the house and call 911 first. If a power line is down, stay well back and call your hydro utility's emergency line.
Where we work
Troubleshooting and repairs across the GTA
We serve homeowners, builders and businesses across Toronto and the GTA.
- North York
- Toronto
- Forest Hill
- Etobicoke
- Scarborough
- Mississauga
- Vaughan
- Richmond Hill
- Oakville
- Caledon
- King
- Barrie
- Markham
- Aurora
- Newmarket
- Brampton
- Alliston
- Wasaga Beach
- Collingwood