I live in a house built around late 1930's, early 1040's with the original wiring. A few months ago 1 of my 2 front porch lights dims and brightens, almost like a flicker every 30 -45 seconds. Should I be concerned of a fire hazard about to happen or is it maybe just a loose or dirty connection?

You should be concerned. Sounds like you have a loose connection. It can be a fire hazard but it sounds like the problem may be localized to the flickering fixture. It's possible there is a loose connection between the 1st and 2nd light, or something loose in the fixture which is flickering. At any rate, you need to have it looked at.

Missouri bound hit it right on. U have a loose wire at fixture flickering or between fixture one and two.

Turn off breaker. Remove flickering fixture and check wires. Do same for other fixture if everything okay.

If u don't see a problem, get back to us and we will go from there.

Let us know how u made out.

Good luck

Chuck

Thank you so much for your quick responses. I will try this and let you know. I guess I should also mention the other electrical problem that happened first. Should I post it as another question or just fill you in?

Do not start a new question. Just post your follow up at the bottom of this post. Make sure the power is off at the breaker or fuse box before you open the fixture.

Thank you for your very quick response. I will add to my original question. But I do not see [B]Rate this Answer[B] anywhere on my screen. I will keep looking. But to follow up on my previous question, the house I live in has its original wiring and about a year and a half ago all power was lost in the living room only. All outlets in the living room went dead and all lights sockets & flood lights out back along the upper deck and a single outlet out front in the courtyard no longer work. The rest of the house (other than the front flickering porch light) seems to be working fine. The problem hasn't been resolved due to my landlord dragging his feet on this. I am very concerned about a possible electrical fire. What might the problem be? And is the flickering front porch light related? And how do I speed up the process of getting my landlord to resolve these issues?

Send a letter to landlord,certified and return receipt, that u have had this problem for the time stated. Be sure to make a carbon copy for your files. Ask when problem will be resolved and that u are afraid that problem may cause a fire.

If landlord doesn't work on problem, send 2nd letter stating because of fire fear u are going to hire electrician to fix problem and deduct cost from rent.

The problem with all outage may be a bad breaker or a broken wire. Either can make a spark and cause a fire.


The only thing with the letters is the landlord may decide he does not want u living there anymore. But living without these issues resolved is dangerous to u and family's health and safety.

Good luck

Chuck

Being a renter is much different than an owner and changes our responses. In addition to what creahans write you could also tell the LL you'll be calling the bilding department in your town. However, are you ready for a wee wee match with a skunk?