There are so many characters in an older home that you just don’t see in modern houses. One very common thing that a lot of people ignore when they remodel their aging home is the electrical system. For most homeowners, if all the switches and plugs are working properly, there is no reason to call an electrician.
However, this is a very wrong concept. If a home is more than 2 decades old, there could be prospective electrical issues lurking in the wiring. Here are a few things you want to check when you are trying to decide if this is the time to rewire your home.
How old is your home wiring?
According to the U.S. Fire Administration poor insulation around electrical wires is the major cause of electrical fires in American houses. In fact, nearly a third of house fires are triggered by this very problem. Homes constructed fifty years back or more are at a much higher risk of catching electrical fires. If your home is getting up there in years, it may be the time to get it inspected for a probable rewire.
Modern electrical needs surpass older electrical systems:
Forty years back, American households used far lesser appliances & electronics. There were no laptops, tablets or cell phones to charge. The old plug-in landline telephones did not use any electrical energy at all. There were no plug-in room deodorizers or gaming systems.
An electrical system that was built for this level of use is no match to the modern electrical systems we use in our home every day. If you pop a circuit breaker every time you turn on the blender and coffee maker at the same time, you certainly need to think about rewiring.
Flickering lights:
If you have lights in your home that always flicker this could be an indication of loose wiring connections. A flickering light is not just unbelievably annoying, but it should also be considered as an indication of sober electrical wiring problems.
Singed outlets or a burning odour:
Sometimes the wiring inside power outlets can short. This’ll usually cause black singe marks on the noticeable area of the plug. Other times, you may smell something burning. This can be an indication that the wiring inside the wall is shorting. Either of these conditions necessitates an instant call to the fire department, and then your electrical contractor.
Aluminium wiring is a huge red flag:
If your house was built between 1965 and 1973, there is a good possibility that you have aluminium wiring in it. Aluminium wiring has been found to pose an even higher possibility of house fire. Calling a certified electrician to run an inspection should be on top of your list if your house falls within the above mentioned date range.
Call a licensed electrician in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter FL, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Juno Beach, Lake Park, Lake Worth, Lantana, Martin County, North & West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Stuart FL, & Wellington areas if you are not sure how much it will cost to rewire an old house. After inspecting your property he can give you a better estimate.