What Is a GFCI Outlet and Why Does It Matter?

If your home inspection report mentions missing or faulty GFCI outlets, don’t worry — this is very common and usually easy to fix. Let’s break down what a GFCI is and why it’s important for your home’s safety.

What Is a GFCI?

GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It’s a special type of outlet that shuts off power if it senses an electrical problem — like electricity going where it shouldn’t. This helps prevent electric shocks, burns, and even electrocution.

Even small changes in electrical flow can trigger a GFCI to shut things down in a fraction of a second, which is exactly what you want when water and electricity might mix.

How do you identify a GFCI outlet?

A GFCI outlet is generally easy to identify as they have “test” and “reset” buttons located on it. However, just because you don’t see a GFCI outlet doesn’t mean they aren’t protected. Electricians and home builders often wire kitchen outlets in a series where one GFCI outlet protects all of the outlets on the countertop. Occasionally, you will also find them located in the panel on GFCI-protected breakers.

Where Should GFCI Outlets Be Used?

GFCI outlets are required in places where water is likely to be nearby, such as:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Garages
• Basements
• Laundry areas
• Outside
• Near pools, spas, or hot tubs

Basically, any area where moisture could make electrical use riskier.

GFCIs and Your Home Inspection

During your inspection, we check that GFCI outlets are installed in the right places — and that they work properly. If a GFCI outlet is missing, not working, or outdated, your inspector will note it in your report.

This is especially common in older homes, where GFCIs may not have been required when the house was built. We may also find GFCIs that don’t trip correctly anymore. Moisture and age can cause them to fail over time.

What Should You Do?

If your report mentions a missing or bad GFCI outlet, don’t panic. In most cases, it’s a simple fix — an electrician can replace a standard outlet with a GFCI outlet fairly easily.

Adding or replacing a GFCI is a small investment that makes a big difference in safety. It’s one of the simplest ways to protect your home and loved ones.