Rewiring a Home: A Necessary Electrical Renovation Project for your Safety

When it comes to your home’s electrical system, safety and security is paramount. A small issue with the wiring can cause fire. It can even develop into a shock hazard making the property risky for your family. The contractor may have used quality electrical wires at the time of building your house, but time and age have the power to damage the best wires, rendering them unsafe for use. So, whether you live in an old house or you are planning to buy one, hire the services of a licensed electrician to inspect the wiring of the property.

Do you need to Rewire the Electrical System of your Home?

1. Check for Warning Signs

An alert homeowner is a safe homeowner. If you are confused about hiring an electrician for rewiring the old wires in your home, look for the following tell-tale signs of damage:

1. Frequent blown fuses and bulbs

2. Regular tripping of circuit breakers

3. Damaged and exposed wires

4. Over-fused electrical panel

5. Constant flickering of lights

6. Charred outlets and hot plugs

7. Constant burning smell and buzzing sound

8. Spark while plugging or unplugging cords

9. Electrical shock in a few outlets

10 Old-fashioned Bakelite switches and sockets

11. Multiple socket styles that indicate fractional wiring changes

12. Violation of Ontario Electrical Safety Code

2. No Major Electrical Work in the Past

The major indicator for rewiring your home is the age of the electrical wiring system. If the wiring of your home is not changed in the last 25 years, it is time for an upgrade. Old electrical wiring doesn’t take into consideration your current gadgets and their requirements. You may need to rewire the property as well as apply for an electrical service upgrade to keep using your tech-gadgets. When you are purchasing an old home, it becomes difficult to know about the past electrical renovations. It is best to hire a licensed electrician to inspect the property.

3. Existence of Knob & Tube Wiring System

Knob & Tube wiring system is one of the most common wiring systems available in older homes. The electricians used insulating knobs to prevent the wires from coming in contact with inflammable materials. The tubes enabled the wires to pass through wooden joists. The major problem with the system is lack of a ground conductor. It increases the chances of shocks and fires. Also, over a period of time, the rubber insulation breaks down causing problems. The knob-and-tube wiring may not be sufficient for your current electrical consumption and the previous owner may have installed modern wiring with the old one. It is a recipe for disaster and one that needs to be checked immediately.

4. Presence of Aluminum Wiring

In the olden days, aluminum wiring was used in the electrical system of homes. However, the story has changed today. Electricians prefer to use copper wiring because it is a better metal. Aluminum is softer and thus prone to arcing, oxidation and corrosion. If you are concerned about the existence of aluminum wires in your home, you must consult a licensed and experienced electrician immediately. You can either opt for replacing the old wires on the property with superior copper wires or even choose to replacing the old wire connectors and switches with ones that are compatible with aluminum. You can ask the electrician for using a copper wire pigtail between the aluminum wires and electrical devices in order to reduce the cost.

What is the cost of Repairing and Replacing Old Electrical Wiring in Toronto?

For a 1500-3000 square feet home, the cost of rewiring can be at least $8000-$10,000. The cost involves removing the drywall, getting rid of the old wires, installing modern wiring system and mounting the drywall back in its place. You must remember that the cost of updating old electrical wiring in your home can change depending on the following things:

1. The size of the property
2. The complexity of the job
3. Ease of Access
4. Cost of Labor
5. A Full Rewiring Job or a Partial Wiring Upgrade

The cost will be low if you are interested in a simple rewiring project. On the other hand, if you want to upgrade the service panel, repair chandelier and fans or install landscape lighting, the total cost will change. So, make sure that you discuss your needs with the electrician to obtain the correct estimate for the job.

Are you looking to rewire the electrical system of your home? Or do you need to hire the services of a commercial electrician for your office? Trust Toronto’s licensed electrician to the job for you. Whether it is repairing and replacing the wiring of an old home or correcting electrical code violations, choose us for reliable services.

When you love your work, you don't consider it work. I started The Home Improvement Group because building and renovating Toronto Homes has always been a fascination for me.