What is the best way to trace an intermittent electrical short?

when it comes to electrical.....check the circuit breakers first...did they trip if so put them on one at a time. If all come back on line ok. If trip again get the electrician in with thier meters. At one time mice had chewed thru some electric wires

got interrupted...sorry and the electrical got hot enough to singe the sheet rock

I'd get a reliable electrician. I don't mess with electrical problems.

what would the electrician do since there are so many outlet not working?

You have way over load on the one breaker. Find where they all come together. SPC. Coad: 4 to 6 over head lights on one breaker 6 to 8 wall plugs on one breaker. Put everything in the bathroom on breakers all by it self and where you have water put a GVS breaker that will trip when water gets to it. Go over to HOME DEPOT and tell them what is wrong they will help you.

First check if any citcuit breakers tripped. Turn the breakers off and on and see if that solves the problem. If that doesn't solve the problem hire an electrician. They have the equipment that can trace down any shorts in the wiring. I have an apartment I rent that power went out in half of it. Having the experience and equipment I was able to trace loose wiring in two electrical boxes in the kitchen that supplied power to the back of the apartment.

Investment in a good qualified electrician may save you a LOT of heartache, pain, & suffering emotionally & financially should the problems result in a fire. Don't play around with it!!! A burn-out is far more painful than a hit on the pocket book for an electrician.

Do not play handyman with this. You've got four rooms where the electric is not working correctly. That's a major safety hazard. Get a licensed electrician and have him put your electrical system to rights.