One of the primary reasons why you need to rewire an old house is because failure to do so can be hazardous. Specifically, there’s a chance that a fire can start as a result of aging electrical components. It’s the reason why many older homes experience a fire. Below are eight specific reasons why you should not put off rewiring your older home.
- Electrical Panel Overload
An electrical panel overload is when your house requires more current than your circuit breaker panel can provide. The circuit breaker panel in an old home is only able to handle a certain amount of current, which means there’s a chance that the panel will get damaged. Unfortunately, this can result in a fire. It’s something that often goes undetected until it’s too late. This is one of the reasons why preventative maintenance is important.
- Faulty Wiring
There’s a greater chance of having wiring that’s faulty in an older home than in a new home. It’s because regulations have changed as the industry has become more aware of the issues that can occur. It’s also because newer homes have more checks and balances that are likely to prevent serious issues with wiring. In some cases, faulty wiring will lead to a burning smell that’s close to an electrical appliance. When that occurs, it’s necessary to trip the circuit breaker before attempting to resolve the problem.
- Circuit Breaker Tripping
An old home is likely to have an excessive number of occurrences where the circuit breaker is tripped. This is sometimes because a lot of extension cords are being used. However, it can also happen due to an excessive draw on electricity or faulty wiring. Since you cannot always detect why a circuit breaker is tripping, it’s important to have a qualified electrician check your home by conducting an inspection.
- Wiring Not Grounded
There are some instances when wiring isn’t grounded properly, which can result in discoloration around the switchplate. The reason why that happens is that it will start to get charred from the heat. This can also happen when there is loose wiring or when things are not properly connected. Either way, this is an issue that should be addressed promptly. CLF Services has a team of trained professionals that can assess any problems that occur or issues that might exist.
- Avoid Electrical Shocks
Without a doubt, avoiding electrical shock is a key reason why you need to rewire an old house. If you notice a slight shock when plugging in appliances, that could be a sign of a problem. If so, this issue should not be ignored. In fact, you should contact a professional right away for an inspection and recommendation concerning the need for rewiring. There are some instances when rewiring has already occurred during the sale of an old home. If you have a newly wired home and you experience an electrical shock, you should have an electrician look at the issue.
- Frayed Wiring
Sometimes the problem that exists in an old home is simply one of frayed wiring that has occurred over the years. When this happens, it can sometimes lead to the lights turning on and off when it’s windy outside. In many instances, it’s barely noticeable because the lights are only slightly flickering. The frayed wires are usually connected to the power grid.
- Damaged Insulation
There’s a possibility that the insulation of old wiring is damaged in an old home. In fact, it’s common for electrical components to become cracked as time goes by because they tend to experience normal wear and tear. When this happens, rewiring becomes a priority and something that should not be put off. At the very least, you should have a trained professional examine the condition of your home’s wiring.
- Aluminum Wiring
Decades ago, it was common to use aluminum instead of copper wiring. As a result, there’s a greater chance of corrosion because aluminum is not as durable as copper. Another reason why it’s a problem is that aluminum does not respond as well to temperatures as copper.
Quite frankly, there are many reasons why you should choose to have your home rewired if it’s older. The quality of the wiring in your home is important for the safety of your family.