3 Upgrades to Old Wiring to Avoid Electrical Repairs

Essential Electrical Repairs Tips for Homeowners: Understanding Outdated, Damaged, and Overloaded Wiring

There is something about home construction that changes once the drywall is installed. The inspectors have investigated the installation of plumbing, wiring, and HVAC rough-ins, and the wall covering gives homeowners a sense of finality. Out of sight, out of mind. However, there are a few things homeowners need to remember about residential wiring long after the home is finished. Some events may require giving a little attention to the rock-steady home wiring and avoiding electrical repairs.

Electrical Repairs Tip 1: Outdated Wiring

Electricity was commonly installed in homes beginning in the 1920s using knob and tube wiring. It was the available technology of the day, with a single layer of insulation coating the wires, surrounded by paper and/or cloth. The wire was connected to the wall via porcelain knobs and tubes as added insulation. The wiring caused fires and shock hazards, so it was banned by the 1940s.

Copper became very expensive in the 1950s and 1960s, so manufacturers switched to aluminum. However, aluminum did not conduct electricity as well and caused overheating fires; homes with aluminum wiring were 55 times more likely to experience a fire due to overheated wiring. Aluminum wiring was banned by the mid-1970s.

Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) switches and outlets were also introduced in the early 1970s. Whenever electricity encounters water, say, in a kitchen or bathroom, the circuit breaker will recognize the fault and trip (or the fuse will blow). GFCI products have a breaker within and trip in about 1/40^th of the time it takes for the circuit to trip.

If your home was constructed before the 1970s, investigate your wiring to ensure you have the safest electrical technology available.

Electrical Repairs Tip 2: Damaged Wiring

The current technology for residential wiring consists of copper wires, coated by PVC, encased in an outer coating of PVC, much safer than former wiring technologies. However, damaged wiring poses a significant fire hazard. The most common ways wiring is damaged includes:

• This wiring operates safely in a range between -20- and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. That means wiring should be enclosed in the housing insulation envelope, especially in the walls and attics. When PVC is exposed to intermittent extreme heat followed by cooling, it can cause the PVC to get brittle and crack, exposing the encased wiring to the building insulation and framing.
• PVC is very resistant to water. However, when wiring is exposed to water for long periods, say, a leak that goes undetected for a long period, it can damage the PVC. This is exacerbated when the water is tainted with either salt or other chemicals. When the PVC insulation is damaged, it creates a fire hazard.
• The copper wiring is not susceptible to rust, but exposed wiring does cause another type of corrosion, creating a green-colored patina. The patina does reduce conductivity slightly, but the greater potential for harm comes from the degradation of the PVC insulation.

If you suspect your wiring is damaged in any way, call AirPro Houston to address these electrical repairs.

Electrical Repairs Tip 3: Increase in Electronic Devices

The average home uses nominally more electricity than a home in the 1980s; the increase is only about 13%. Many of the lights and devices used today are much more energy-efficient than their previous versions. However, the sheer number of devices located in certain spaces—entertainment, computer, and communications devices—may require an additional circuit or two.

The amount of current these activities draw, but the need to locate so many devices close together. The additional circuit(s) are recommended to protect the devices. Power strips or extension cords are not good permanent solutions to increase the number of available outlets.

Protect Your Home: Let AirPro Houston Help Address Outdated, Damaged, and Overloaded Wiring for Safety

Homeowners should be aware of potential electrical issues long after construction, particularly with outdated, damaged, or overloaded wiring. Older homes may still have hazardous wiring like knob-and-tube or aluminum, which increases the risk of fire, while damaged PVC-insulated wiring from extreme heat, water exposure, or corrosion also presents significant dangers.

Additionally, with the rise in electronic devices, upgrading circuits to accommodate additional power needs is recommended, as power strips and extension cords are not long-term solutions.

With our four decades of experience in helping homeowners with their electrical repairs, AirPro Houston provides you with the knowledge of electrical repairs in your home and addresses any residential electrical repair issues that homeowners may encounter. Call our team of electricians at 281-880-8805.