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Original poster

Weird one...static electricity?! Help!

12 replies

bumblebee1987 · 29/03/2020 20:15

We moved house almost 3 months ago, and have a weird problem with the new house, and we have no idea how to fix it!

It sounds weird (or maybe it doesn't if you know about these things!), but the static electricity is horrendous. Honestly, i'm not exaggerating when I say that it causes the following-

  • Our baby has frequently been brought to tears because we touch or kiss her and she gets an electric shock.
  • My 7 year old won't touch door handles, and frequently says that we hurt him when we kiss/cuddle him because he gets shocked all the time.
  • When we touch door handles, we usually cover our hand with our sleeve to soften the shock.
  • Our dogs (one in particular because she's an anxious rescue anyway) are visibly anxious when we hold our hand our to stroke them, because they are getting so used to getting an electric shock when we touch them.

I know it sounds daft, but it's really driving us mad. My seven year old always talks about it and frequently says that I hurt him again when I kiss or cuddle him, which is horrible, and I can't stand making the baby cry Sad

The electrics in the house are all fine, and it was built in 1985 (don't know if that's relevant!). The previous owners put laminate flooring through the entire house, and there is only carpet in the playroom, but we still get shocks in there, so I don't think it's flooring related?

Any ideas? I am so fed up with it! But have no idea how to fix it? Who do I even ask for help?!

I apologise, I know in the scheme of things, my static electricity problem is so unbelievably miniscule, it's just that we've obviously all been home constantly for the last week or so, and I have had a lot of time on my hands to notice it/think about it!

OP posts:
Gulsink · 29/03/2020 20:21

What about footwear? Does it change if you're wearing slippers?
I would've thought it must be floor related even though you think it isn't.

purrswhileheeats · 29/03/2020 20:24

Have you asked for advice from an electrician? Confused I get zapped inexplicably but nowhere as bad as you! Or get a priest? 😅

Original poster
bumblebee1987 · 29/03/2020 20:27

Well my son always walks around barefoot, I always wear slippers, and my husband always wears socks, and we're all affected the same, so I don't think it's footwear related? I did think about asking an electrician, but I felt a bit weird asking, it seems like such a strange thing?! I probably should, I imagine if anyone would know, they would!

Haha, fingers crossed I don't need a priest!

OP posts:
LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 29/03/2020 20:30

if your son is barefoot then he is acting as your Earth, so you all need to wear slippers or not.

i am very static, mostly cars, shops/trolleys and outdoors so i do think it is shoe related...I almost never have anything on my feet at home and almost never get shocked here.

Smellbellina · 29/03/2020 20:31

I get a lot of static shocks generally, DM and DD are the same, so would hate to live in a crazy static house!
Agree you need to start with an electrician... and go from there...
Do any of your neighbours have similar problems?

Howzaboutye · 29/03/2020 20:38

You need to connect the house to the ground!
The earth circuit in the house should be grounded somewhere.
It would be worth getting an electrician to have a look (when we are not isolating)

Original poster
bumblebee1987 · 29/03/2020 20:39

I'm going to have to force him to wear slippers, I can't stand laminate flooring and no slippers 😂 Although maybe we should try and go slipperless and see if that stops it.

I haven't actually asked the neighbours actually! That would be a good starting point! I will also ask an electrician once we are all out of quarantine 😊

OP posts:
tempestterra · 29/03/2020 20:41

Nylon pile carpets will create static. Lots of clothing will also cause static. And it's been very dry which also causes static! I used to get massive shocks from our cat, occasionally I'd see a spark and hear a 'crrrrrrrk' type sound, cat used to give me filthy looks!

SmellMySmellbow · 29/03/2020 20:43

Maybe your electrics aren't grounded? Not an electrician but I know we had to sort ours out once.

Pinkywoo · 29/03/2020 20:46

We had the same in our house until I got one of those things you fill with water and hang on the radiator (mine is a rather fetching purple owl), now I can't remember the last time I got a shock. I got it from eBay for a few pounds, search for"ceramic radiator humidifier", it's worth a try?

Howzaboutye · 29/03/2020 20:59

Yes the air in the house could be too dry. Try rehumidifing that will help

purrswhileheeats · 29/03/2020 21:22

This baffles me! Two or three times a year I get zapped, it lasts for a week or more. I can't touch anything without being electrocuted. I try to stroke my poor cats and they flinch, sparks fly out of them. When I try to undress, my clothes crackle. But then it goes away; is it the full moon or my period due 🤔

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