Electrical Rewiring: When It's a Good Idea | Anderson Electric
admin • August 13, 2018

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A lot of people don’t spare much thought for the wiring in their walls. They want their wiring to be safe and efficient, of course, but as long as they don’t have an obvious short circuit or an actual fire hazard they tend to not think about their wires at all. Electrical wiring is not one of those things that you need to have replaced on a regular basis.

It doesn’t even necessarily need to be done every decade or so, the way HVAC systems should be. However, there are some times when it’s a very good idea to have part or all of your home rewired. Let’s go over when it’s a good idea to schedule electrical rewiring for your home below.

Knob and Tube Wiring

Believe it or not, there are homes in this country that still use wiring from the turn of the last century. Knob and tube wiring predates the invention of insulated wires. Since the wires themselves were “naked” they were suspended away from the walls using ceramic knobs and tubes. Putting aside for a moment the fact that any wiring like this still in use is likely over a hundred years old, and therefore well-past the point of safe operation, the whole idea of knob and tube wiring isn’t that safe. Suspending live wires a scant few inches away from flammable drywall and other parts of your home that should not be subjected to an electrical current is a recipe for disaster. At the time this type of wiring was popular, it was really the only option for those who wanted electricity in their homes. Now, thankfully, we have much better options. We recommend that you get any knob and tube wiring in your home replaced as soon as possible.

Faulty Wiring

Sometimes, there’s mistake in manufacturing and you end up with wiring that will never work as well as it should. This isn’t too common, assuming you have an electrician worth their salt checking all of it before it’s installed. Still, sometimes the defect doesn’t become apparent until months or years after the wiring is installed. Depending on what exactly is wrong with the wiring, you may end up with a short circuit or another issue. As soon as the wiring is discovered to be faulty, though, even if it hasn’t caused any serious problems yet, we highly recommend that you replace it as soon as possible. You won’t want to wait until it sparks a fire or something before taking steps to deal with it.

These are, of course, just a couple of different times when it’s a good idea to have your electrical wiring redone. Each home is different, though, and it’s ultimately best to pay attention to whatever your electrician recommends when it comes to your own situation. They’ll be able to recommend the best option for your home.

Anderson Electric Corp employs the best electricians in Clifton, NJ. If you’re looking for an electrician for your home, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional technicians. We’ll make sure that your electrical system serves you well.  

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