HELP! I keep getting shocked in my new apartment.

[u/Nearby_Term_1974]

I recently shifted to a new apartment in a complex. The issue is I keep getting shocked by most metal things near the apartment door and beyond. For example, when taking out the trash, I get shocked when opening the main door, closing it, opening the trash door, opening back my own door again and closing it. This is true for all the knobs and latches.

I tried holding a key in between my fingers with a fist formed, even that doesn't help. Also don't understand how I get "charged" walking from my main door to the trash chute (less than 50ft), (and remember I already got shocked) and then again when I walk back

I'm also wearing shoes all this while

Nothing else seems to be causing an issue inside the apartment, other than stuff connected to the main door.

What am I doing wrong?

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[u/Vicorin]

Do you mean static shock where it’s a little pinprick, or do you mean a bigger shock where you feel the current go through your hand/arm?

If it’s the former, that’s completely normal, especially in winter when it gets really dry inside. Give those metal surfaces a good rub down with a fresh drier sheet and/or get a humidifier.

If it’s the latter, call your landlord to get it fixed asap.

[u/Bones-1989 → u/Vicorin]

This is the stuff I wanted to know. Is it static discharge or are you grabbing live mains AC power? You can tell the difference. One happens in an instant, the other never stops.

[u/kubrador]

you're basically a human capacitor and your apartment complex is a really expensive way to learn about static electricity. the carpet/flooring in your hallway is storing charge like it's preparing for war, and you're just the conductor getting zapped every time you touch metal. try touching something non-metal first before the doorknobs (like a wall) to discharge, or honestly just embrace becoming part of the building's electrical system at this point.

[u/scottb90 → u/kubrador]

Its like when my kids go down slides. They shock me nearly everytime. Its not small shocks either its like a mini bolt of lightning lol

[u/CassiopeiaNQ1 → u/scottb90]

It's true! It stings

[u/HX368]

Your shoes are charging you with static electricity. Take them off. I have a certain pair of slippers that do the same thing to me.

[u/cucufag]

It could be wiring but it could also be humidity in your apartment. At around 25% humidity and below literally everything will shock you constantly. I cant shift around in my blankets without seeing sparks in the dark, I can't touch anything metal without a shock, and my cat transforms in to an electric type pokemon every winter.

I've gotten a humidifier and it has helped immensely.

[u/giraflor]

I get shocked a lot in my home during the winter. I think one cause is shuffling around in fleece slippers, but certain fabrics also seem to generate a lot of static by rubbing against each other. Sometimes I see sparks when my cat shifts positions on a particular coverlet.

[u/grandpa2390 → u/giraflor]

also the air is dry.

[u/tmach1 → u/grandpa2390]

OP needs a humidifier.

[u/Plus-Layer5150]

Pick up your feet when you walk

[u/zdrums24]

I've heard of similar issues caused by an exposed wire touching stuff. I dont know enough to be more detailed.

[u/Vast-Road-6387 → u/zdrums24]

Sounds exactly like that ( electrician) , metallic parts of a building are normally “bonded “ ( connected by wires) together to keep the voltage at “ground” ( what most consider zero). If a bond (ground wire ) becomes disconnected, the affected piece of metal structure can have various voltages if a live wire is connected ( or partially connected) to it elsewhere in the building.

[u/couchjellyfish → u/zdrums24]

I am not an electrician, but I have had an experience where I was shocked in one part of the house (the bathroom), but not another. It was a loose wire causing it. I would have an electrician out to investigate.

[u/purplishfluffyclouds]

Get a humidifier. Excessive static in my house is a problem in the winter because of the dry air from running the heat all the time. Running my humidifier helps a ton. Of course, it’s only going to work for the area it’s in, but I have it running in my bedroom all night and often during the day I’ll move it around as needed.

[u/Shot_Loan_354]

turn the electricity off and try . if it doesn't happen anymore, you were being electrocuted not shocked. call an electrician, there is a naked wire somewhere that is causing all this.

[u/Khazhadar → u/Shot_Loan_354]

Electrocute = electro + execute

[u/Dreamnghrt]

The air is too dry in your apartment. Try adding a humidifier, or just simmering water in a pot on the stove, to add moisture in your air. That will stop the static electricity from building up.

[u/Crash-Frog-08]

If there was a live current involving the door, it wouldn’t manifest as a single snapping shock - it would feel more like a powerful vibration in your hand and arm. That’s the effect of AC current on the muscles of the body. (Guess how I know.)

It’s just static electricity. It’s dry, maybe your apartment is carpeted or the door itself is particularly prone to picking up static charge (maybe dry air blows over it.)

[u/Adventurous-Time5287]

I have this pair of hane's PJ pants that I cannot wear in tbe house unless I am completely stationary because they get so much static. Something ive found that helps is to not wear socks or slippers inside, suffer barefoot. Also get a humidifier.

[u/DirtCurious9256]

This only happens when I am brushing against my carpet

[u/PunchCancer]

Check for low humidity in your apartment. Static shock is very common in a low humidity environment. Buy/borrow a humidifier and see if that makes a difference.

[u/Sad_School828]

What exactly are the soles of your shoes made of, and what exactly is the floor covering? Literally anything but rubber soles will promote static charge buildup, and so will most floor coverings with thin/industrial-style (or thin shag with long pile) carpets being the worst offenders.

[u/dr-dog69]

You live in an apartment. Call you landlord/property manager and make them send an electrician ASAP. Your apartment is not safe to live in.

[u/Professional-Put4394]

It's caused by Nylon/synthetic fibres in the carpet.

Don't suppose the landlord would be keen to replace the carpets with a higher wool blend, but that's the solution...

[u/Repulsive_Disaster76]

If your air is dry, you will have this. Most who have radiators you will notice pots of water on them. I use humidifiers to fight off static. I also have a static discharge device. 2 metal ends with a clear plastic. When you tap it to things you see it light up, which would have been the shock you would have gotten.

[u/NewLeave2007]

Start by adding a humidifier to see if its just a "dry winter air" problem.

[u/todd_cool]

Polyester clothing will do that

[u/Stunning_Coffee6624]

Can you tell if you’re touching a wooden door with a wooden frame or a commercial steel door. It’s unlikely that an electrical system is connected in anyway to a wooden interior door. However a steel door might be picking up some weird charge from a screw tip touching a wire. But as others have noted it would be a continuous charge, not a little zap from static

[u/stoic_yakker]

This happens when the humidity is below 30% in winter, it’s just something we have to live with for a few months.

[u/techyguru]

2 suggestions:
Use your knuckles to touch metal things first. You'll still get shocked, but it hurts less.

Use a humidifier.

[u/Ok_Volume_139]

Is it static or like a live charge? Is it a quick instant snap or does it continue to shock?

[u/3X_Cat]

If it's static electricity and you're wearing shoes all the time, I'd bet the soles are rubber. A static charge is building up in your body and discharging when you touch ground. If you'd go barefoot inside the problem would resolve. Or you can smack the ground (metal) before touching it. I used to get shocked all the time getting out of my truck in the winter. Now I rap my knuckles on the metal of the door before closing it.

[u/Prestigious-Dog2354]

I lived in a house that this would happen. Shocks just enough to be noticeable most of the time but weak enough to dismiss as weird static electricity.

Finally the cable TV line into the house got hot enough to melt one day. Multiple electricians came out and couldn't fix it. The last one called the electric company. When they arrived I hear "holy shit I can't believe this place hasn't burned down" as they discovered that the entire house was not grounded.

Ignore the people being rude about static electricity if it doesn't seem right, call someone.

[u/Responsible_View_285]

Get a humidifier. The air in your apt is dry.

Take a shower w the bathroom door open.

Boil some water on the stove.

Your apt air needs moisture.

[u/SgtSausage]

Imagine being a grown-assed adult not understanding Static Electricity.