What to Do If the Power Keeps Flickering at Night in St. Louis

If your power keeps flickering at night, start by checking and resetting your circuit breaker, looking for loose wires or overloaded circuits, then monitor whether the flicker continues. If it does, contact a licensed electrician so they can safely find and fix the underlying problem.

 

Ensure Immediate Safety

 

• Turn off high-power appliances like heaters or ovens to reduce load on your circuits.
• Use battery-powered flashlights instead of candles to avoid fire risk.
• Avoid touching any wiring or outlet if it feels hot or sparks appear.

 

Understand What “Flickering” Means

 

• Flickering is when lights dim, brighten, or blink rapidly instead of staying steady.
• It can be caused by sudden changes in electrical demand or a loose connection inside your home’s wiring.
• Over time, small flickers can lead to bigger problems like damaged appliances or even fire hazards.

 

Check Your Circuit Breaker Panel

 

• Locate the breaker box—usually in a basement, garage, or utility closet.
• Look for any tripped breakers: their switches will be centered or in the “off” position.
• Reset a tripped breaker by flipping it fully to “off” and then back to “on.”
• If a breaker trips again right away, reduce the number of devices plugged into that circuit.

 

Inspect for Loose Wires and Overloaded Circuits

 

• Gently wiggle plugs in outlets to see if they feel loose—loose plugs can cause flicker and sparks.
• A circuit is overloaded when too many devices draw power at once—spread out usage of high-wattage items.
• Look for scorch marks or melted plastic around outlets and switches—these are signs you need professional help.

 

Monitor Patterns and External Factors

 

• Keep a written log of when flickers happen—note date, time, weather conditions, and which lights blinked.
• Notice if flickering coincides with neighbors’ outages or nearby tree branches swaying into power lines.
• Ask neighbors if they see the same problem—this helps determine if it’s a home wiring issue or utility company matter.

 

Use Surge Protectors and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

 

• Plug sensitive electronics (computers, TVs) into surge protectors to guard against voltage spikes.
• Consider a small UPS for devices you must keep running—this gives you time to shut them down safely.
• These tools don’t fix flickers but protect your equipment from damage when voltage drops or surges.

 

Know When to Call a Professional

 

• If flickering continues after resetting breakers and reducing load, reach out to a licensed electrician.
• Qualified electricians can test voltage, tighten connections, and upgrade wiring if needed.
• Residents in St. Louis and Nashville rely on professionals to perform safe inspections and repairs.
• A professional visit usually includes a full electrical safety inspection and a written report of recommended fixes.

 

Preventive Maintenance for Peace of Mind

 

• Have a licensed electrician inspect your home’s wiring every few years—especially if your house is over 20 years old.
• Replace worn outlets, switches, and breakers before they fail.
• Trim trees near power lines and keep the area around your meter clear to reduce external risks.
• Consider upgrading old knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring to modern copper wiring for better safety and reliability.

 

Following these steps will help you stop nuisance flickers, protect your devices, and ensure your home’s electrical system stays safe and stable all night long. If any step feels beyond your comfort level, always hire a trained electrician rather than attempting risky DIY repairs.