Rewiring is the process by which the existing wiring in a building is stripped out and replaced with new wiring and circuit breaker. It is a very involved process and should only be performed by a licensed electrician. Our Ferree Electric team offers time-sensitive and detailed work for each of our rewire projects.
The age of your home—and the electrical work in it—determines the frequency with which your house should be rewired. Depending on when your wiring was manufactured, it may have the quality to last up to 40 years, while other installations may only endure for 20 years. A preliminary inspection can help discover when you need to prioritize your home’s rewiring.
The Need for a Rewire
If you notice any of these signs in your home, it is important to address them quickly to prevent injury or fire:
- Lights that dim and flicker incessantly
- Burn or scorch marks near outlets or light switches
- A burning odor
- A buzzing sound coming from the outlets
- Electrical shock when you plug into or unplug items from outlets
- Sparks when you plug in or unplug cords
- Visibly damaged or frayed wiring
- A circuit breaker that trips constantly
Aluminum Wiring
From the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s, the price of copper sky-rocketed. Because of this copper-centric inflation, aluminum became the primary choice for electric wiring. While this may not be a problem as a temporary solution, aluminum is actually a notoriously bad choice for in-home wiring. Between copper and aluminum, aluminum is a far weaker metal, and it is prone to oxidize. Because of this, the connections it forges are poor.
Because of aluminum’s inherent weakness, the poor connections in outlets, light switches, and other electrical wiring breakdown relatively easily, leading to problems with overheating and even, in the worst case scenario, fire. If your home was built between 1960 and 1980, have your wiring inspected to make sure it is not made of aluminum. If you know your home has aluminum wiring, schedule your rewiring appointment today..
Pigtailing—The Noninvasive Rewiring Method
Pigtailing is a process that adds a bit of copper wiring to the end of otherwise aluminum writing. The aluminum wire is spliced and the copper wire added to serve as a better connector between the outlet or light switch the wiring leads to. If you do not want to completely replace your wiring, pigtailing may be an ideal alternative.
Pigtailing operates as a less expensive alternative to replacing all the wiring in the house. Because of the nature of the process, it is minimally invasive: it does not involve cutting up the walls or drywall. Pigtailing is a form of rewiring that can make your home safer if done properly by a professional. The amount of wire cutting and the risk of nicking remaining wires make it very inadvisable to do on your own.
At the Breaking Point
With our ever-increasing dependence on electricity, the demand for more power and even greater current presents a problem to older electrical panels. The panels of many older homes offer less than 100 amps, but most modern homes require panels that produce 150–200 amps. Updating the wiring and the circuit breaker in a home can remove that barrier that limits the volume of electric current available for use.
Rewiring at Ferree Electric
If your home or business is more than 50 years old, it is probably time to rewire. While the demand on modern appliances is certainly a compelling reason, the more important reason is safety. To decrease the danger of electric shock and even fire, make rewiring your building a priority.
