I was cleaning in my basement and came across an outlet that looks pretty suspect (check out this pic: https://imgur.com/X72TVjL). I don't use this outlet since it's in a far corner, so I'm unsure if it even works. It has some sort of crud covering it, and it's on an outside wall, away from any pipes or ducts that I know of, so I assume it came from outside. I'm worried it could be rust, mud, or mold. This change has happened recently since I regularly clean this area. Should I call an electrician about this? Is it dangerous even though I don't use it? Is it safe to wipe it down? I'd love any advice you guys have!
2 Answers
You should definitely take off the faceplate to see what’s happening inside. That stuff kinda looks like blood to me! Have you noticed any mouse droppings or anything like that in the area? It might not just be a simple cleaning issue if there are critters involved.
First things first, turn off the breaker that powers that outlet just to be safe. After that, calling an electrician is a solid move, but if you're feeling brave, you could remove the faceplate and take a look inside (again, only after the breaker is off!). Having an outlet tester handy would help too. It looks like there might be some moisture, which could mean water is getting in from outside. Check if there are any wet spots on the outside wall or if there’s anything like a sprinkler head nearby that could be spraying water at the house. A moisture meter could give you more info about how wet the drywall is too.
If that goo is sticky, there's a chance it could be residue from bees or bugs trying to set up shop in your wall!