Outlet Repair in Houma, LA – Burned Receptacle Replaced by Licensed Electrician

At MK Electric Man - Electrician, we specialize in residential and commercial electrical repair services in Houma, LA. One of our recent jobs involved a homeowner experiencing issues with a kitchen outlet that was no longer functioning properly. Upon closer inspection, the outlet showed signs of burn damage, prompting immediate action to prevent further risk.

Electrical outlet issues are common but often overlooked until a failure or visible damage occurs. In this case, our client had been using the outlet to power their microwave, a high-load appliance that can cause excessive heat buildup if the outlet is faulty or worn out. The customer noticed a faint smell and eventual failure of the outlet, which prompted them to contact MK Electric Man for professional help.

🔍 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞

We began the service call by carefully examining the non-functioning receptacle. It was located near the kitchen counter, where the microwave had been plugged in for daily use. Although the exterior of the outlet didn’t initially show major damage, the symptoms pointed toward internal failure.

Upon removing the outlet cover and inspecting the wiring connections, we discovered burn marks and signs of heat stress on the internal contacts. The receptacle had loose wire connections, a common but dangerous issue that can lead to arcing, overheating, and eventually burning.

Loose connections cause resistance in the flow of electricity. When resistance builds up, it generates heat, and over time, this can melt plastic parts, weaken the metal contacts, and pose a serious fire hazard—especially when the outlet is powering high-draw appliances like microwaves, toasters, or coffee makers.

⚠️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧?

After testing and analyzing the wiring and voltage in the surrounding circuit, we found that the rest of the circuit was intact, with no breaker trips or signs of overloading. This meant the problem was isolated to this specific outlet.

Here’s what we determined:

- Outlet deterioration likely due to prolonged usage.

- Loose internal components may result from frequent plugging and unplugging or poor installation.

- Continuous current draw from the microwave contributed to outlet strain.

- Heat generated from inadequate contact led to internal degradation of the outlet.

Because these issues can be invisible to the homeowner, it’s easy for the problem to escalate unnoticed.

🛠️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫 – 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐭

To correct the issue and restore safe functionality, we replaced the damaged receptacle with a new heavy-duty 120-volt, 15-amp outlet, designed to handle higher electrical loads more reliably. This outlet type is more robust and better suited for kitchen appliances.

Steps we performed:

- Shut off power to the outlet at the main breaker panel for safety.

- Safely removed the old receptacle and inspected surrounding wiring for damage.

- Trimmed and cleaned copper wire ends to ensure strong connections.

- Installed a new 120V heavy-duty 15 amp receptacle using high-quality wire nuts and proper torque settings.

- Secured the outlet box, replaced the faceplate, and tested voltage for accuracy.

- Powered the circuit back on and verified full functionality with the microwave.

After testing the system, we confirmed that everything was working properly and safely.

💰 Budget & Materials

Labor + Materials: $95.00 total

Parts Used: 1 × 120V 15 amp heavy-duty receptacle

✅ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 – 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝

With the new outlet installed, the homeowner now has a safe and reliable power source for their microwave and other kitchen appliances. We advised the customer to keep an eye out for any unusual smells or flickering in the future and offered tips for electrical safety maintenance.

At MK Electric Man - Electrician, we emphasize not just fixing electrical issues—but solving the underlying cause to prevent repeat problems. Our commitment to professional, code-compliant, and affordable electrical repairs in Houma, LA helps keep homes and businesses safe every day.

If you’re experiencing flickering lights, burned outlets, or strange electrical issues, don’t ignore the signs. Contact MK Electric Man - Electrician for prompt, reliable service.

📍 Proudly serving Houma and the surrounding areas with top-tier electrical troubleshooting, power and lighting installations, and repairs.

Service provided: Electrical Installation

Budget: 95.00

Location: Houma, LA