4 Signs That Your House Needs Rewiring
If you currently live in an old house or are planning to move into one, it’s crucial for you to assess your electrical wiring system. According to a study conducted by the U.S Fire Administration (USFA), 30 percent of the electrical fires in the US can be attributed to poor insulation around electrical wires.
That given, a home’s age is the first sign that it needs rewiring. Most homes built more than five decades ago are more likely to pose fire hazards. If you live in a house this old, you may want to consider rewiring your electrical system to keep it from going up in flames. That being said, there are cases when rewiring
may not be immediately necessary. An existing electrical system can simply be brought up to date so that it no longer poses an immediate risk.
But what if your home’s old wiring can no longer meet safety standards? The electrical load from appliances such as TVs, phones, microwaves, washers, and dryers can cause these wires to heat up. Therefore, it’s best to keep an eye out for the signs indicating that your house is in need of rewiring. Below are some of the common signs encountered:
Your circuit breaker trips frequently
Have you noticed that your circuit breaker has been tripping more often than it should? The purpose of a circuit breakeris to prevent fire. It cuts off electrical flow when a circuit has exceeded the number of amps that it is equipped to handle. If your circuit breaker trips frequently, chances are that your electrical appliances have been overloading your wiring system or the installations are just too old to handle it.
You have aluminium wiring
Did you know that around two million homes were erected with aluminium wire between 1965 and 1973? The reason why aluminium wires
are no longer used is that they may cause overheating. As we all know, overheating can inevitably lead to a fire. Therefore, it’s a good idea for you to check your wiring system is made of aluminium wires. You can tell if you have aluminium wiring if “AL” is on the wiring jacket. Should you determine its presence, it may be time to have an electrical wiring upgrade.
You have several discoloured or charred outlets and switches
This is probably the simplest and most obvious sign that your electrical wiring system is in need of a rework -- discoloured or charred outlets and switches. Discoloured outlets or charred switches are usually caused by either a loose connection or faulty wiring developed through time. This loose connection can cause arcing and sparking that might result in a small fire. To prevent this, schedule a wiring upgrade as soon as possible.
You keep smelling a burnt scent
Finally, a persisting burnt smell may send a signal that something is wrong with the electrical wirings at your home. Have you been smelling a burnt aroma without being able to identify the source? Chances are that you have an electrical short that is occurring in the wirings within the walls. If this happens, turn off the main switch immediately and contact an electrician as soon as possible.
These are a few signs that you may soon be the victim of a house fire. If you notice any of these things in your home, it’s best to have your existing electrical system updated. Even if you haven’t, if your home is over five decades old, it may be a good idea to have it rewiredanyway. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Fast Az Services is one of the most reputable home repair services in Alabama. Contact us today for any inquiries.







