8 Signs Your Electrical Wiring is Getting Old

Safe electrical wiring should never be an afterthought. In a world that is increasing electrification everyday, it’s important that the wiring in your home is not only operating efficiently, but safely. In older Sonoma and Marin County homes, the wiring can be extremely outdated due to being installed in a time where our reliance on electricity was much less than it is today. Outdated electrical wiring can lead to inefficient electric appliances as well as serious fire hazards. With that in mind, it is a good idea to always keep an out for any warning signs that you need electrical rewiring.

Signs You Need Home Rewiring Services

1. Frequent Breaker Trips

If your circuits are constantly shutting off, this is a sign of outdated electrical wiring since the system cannot handle the electrical load of the house.

2. Flickering Lights

If your lights are often flickering, particularly whenever you turn on a larger appliance, this tends to be a sign of overloaded circuits that a local electrician should take a look at.

3. Hot Switch Plates

A switchplate that feels excessively hot to the touch can mean that the bulb wattage is exceeding the limit of the switch, or that you need a wiring replacement. Keep an eye out for discolored plates or signs of scorch marks as well.

4. Burning Smells

If you are smelling any burning or plastic odors around your electrical outlets, this is a sign of highly dangerous wiring that you should act on right away with home rewiring services.

5. Outlet Sparks

If outlets are sending out sparks or small flames when plugging something in, this is also a big danger sign from outdated electrical wiring. Watch out for light buzzing sounds as well that should not be there when switches are turned on.

6. Damaged Wires

Exposed, frayed, or clearly damaged wires are an indicator that new wiring from a local electrician is due. Make sure the wire insulation is not damaged as well.

7. Loose Connections

If outlets and other electrical connections appear to be loose, this is a heavy electrical fire hazard that indicates the need for a wiring replacement. Electricity will jump between the gap of the loose connection, possibly leading to an ignition.

8. Electric Shocks from Switches

If you’re experiencing an electric shock from your switches, outlets, or light fixtures indicates heavy wire issues and can be a serious danger. Home rewiring is definitely required.

Outdated Materials That May Require Electrical Rewiring

On top of the above warning signs, you also want to keep in mind the material of your current wiring, since some are more prone to dangers in the modern electrical age than others. If you have any of the below outdated electrical wiring materials, it is best to have the wiring replaced.

Knob & Tube Wiring

This wiring uses copper conductors to pass electricity into porcelain tubes. While this type of wiring was popular at the time (pre-1950s), it does not have the safety standards and electrical capacity required today in most homes. It is identifiable by the porcelain knobs and tubes you may be able to see in your attic or basement, as well as the exposed wiring in your walls. It is advisable to hire a local electrician to perform an electrical rewiring for you in this case.

Aluminum Wiring

This was wiring commonly used in the 1960s and 1970s because of copper shortages and how easily accessible aluminum conductors were. This wiring is unsafe because of how aluminum expands and contracts, meaning they lead to loose connections. They can also overheat easily which presents a fire hazard. If your wiring looks silver or you see the wire jacket has the letters AL, this means you have aluminum wiring and would benefit from a wiring replacement.

Cloth Insulation

Cloth insulation used to be used to wrap wires, posing a serious risk of fire as it degrades, turns brittle, and cracks over time. Home rewiring is definitely recommended in this case. Look for exposed wiring in the basement or frayed cloth around wires in the fuse box.

Other Reasons to Rewire Your Home

On top of the above reasons which are more urgent when it comes to outdated electrical wiring replacement, there are other reasons you may want to stay ahead of the electrical load and have your home rewired.

Home Improvements

If you’re adding one or more large electrical appliances to your home or planning any major home improvements, it’s worth it to have your wiring inspected by a local electrician. You don’t want to finish a project and find out later that your wiring is straining to keep up, especially if you have an older home or have experienced issues in the past.

Large Amount of Extension Cords

If you’re relying on multiple extension cords and power strips on a regular basis, it could be a sign that your home lacks an efficient amount of electrical power or outlets and needs a wiring replacement. Permanent extension cords setups can lead to overloaded circuits and fire hazards.

Two-Prong Outlets

Common in older homes, these outlets lack the third grounding prong there to redirect any excess electricity. If your outlets are two-prong, it might be worth it to have a home rewiring done to reduce electrification risks.

Older Homes

Even if you see no immediate danger signs of faulty wiring, homes older than 40 years old will benefit from a wire inspection to ensure there are no threatening issues. Homes back in the day were simply not built to handle the load of modern electrical equipment and most likely have outdated electrical wiring.

How to Proceed When Rewiring Your Home

For your home rewiring project, you want to rely on a trusted, licensed professional. John Owens Services has offered professional electrical services to Sonoma and Marin County for thirty years. Apart from whole-home rewiring services, we offer an abundance of other services, from electrical panel upgrades to electric appliance installations. If you have noticed the above danger signs, have outdated wiring, or just want a wiring safety inspection, John Owens is the local electrician to call!

Key Takeaways

• Flickering lights, burning smells, hot switch plates, and sparking outlets are among the many electrical wiring red flags
• Aluminum, knob & tube, and cloth insulated wiring are outdated materials that require a wiring replacement in the modern age
• If you’re improving an older home, rely on a large amount of extension cords, or still have two-prong outlets in your home, it is worth it to look into a wiring inspection
• John Owens Services is the local electrician of Marin and Sonoma County with professional experience in whole-home rewiring as well as other electrical installation and repair services