Published on July 16th, 2019 | by Sunit Nandi

Should You Rewire Your Home?

While a house’s electrical wiring has an average service life of about 25 to 40 years, this does not mean that it isn’t susceptible to damage. If you have been experiencing electrical problems almost regularly, you may need to rewire your entire home. This may also be the case for old houses with aluminum wiring (common in the 60s to mid-70s), which is more prone to wear and corrosion.

Both the material and the quality of installation can affect the life expectancy of the wiring, but its insulation can also be damaged and degraded over time, leading to repairs or even failure. Electrical contractors in Utah also note that the issues or problems with your wiring are not always accessible, as some of the wires run inside the walls and ceilings.

Signs of electrical problems

Common electrical wiring problems at home is one reason that you probably need rewiring, but it is best to consult an electrical contractor to find out whether it needs repairs or replacement. The electrical system can also give warning signs that there are problems that need to be inspected or addressed immediately. Here are some of them:

Burning smells and burn marks (common around the outlets and light switches)
Sparking (outlet, fuse box, breaker panel, or appliances)
Hot outlets or switch plates
Frequently tripped breakers or blown fuses
Blocked outlets or loose outlets
Buzzing or sizzling sounds
Cracked or broken insulation
Too much reliance on extension cords

Rewards of rewiring

Sometimes, a repair is just enough to keep your electrical wiring safe and running smoothly. There are also cases, however, where you may need to rewire a house, especially if it is faulty or out of date. You can also benefit from a replacement if your property was built 50 years ago or more. This is because it puts that the house at higher risk of electrical problems and fires.

Rewiring a house also brings a number of rewards such as:

Reduces risk of house fires and related expenses from San Jose Fire Watch Guard Services and improves electrical safety
Makes it easier to use modern appliances
Adds value to your home (especially when selling your house)
Increases the electrical capacity of your home
Cheaper home insurance

Just don’t do it on your own

There may be detailed guides and videos on how to rewire your home, but you should never attempt to DIY any electrical work. This also goes for seemingly easy tasks that you know nothing about. Keep in mind that electricity is so tricky and dangerous, with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reporting about 400 electrocutions in the country every year.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), DIY electrical projects could raise the risk of immediate injuries and electrocution, as well as introducing new dangers to the home. This is because most homeowners do not have the experience and training required to perform any electrical work safely.

DIY may seem like a practical move, as it can save you money by not hiring a licensed contractor, but this is never the case for electrical tasks. Electrical work is so demanding that the apprenticeship programs for electricians can last about four years or more, which include hundreds hours of classroom instructions and on-the-job training.

If you’re worried about the wiring in your home, don’t hesitate to call a licensed electrician. Don’t be tempted to resolve any issue on your own even if you find a detailed guides or how-to videos online.

Tags: home, rewire

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.