10 Tips For Rewiring an Old House

This should help you understand how to get an old home rewired correctly, with minimal damage to the building. Computers, blenders, TVs, even fridges, none of these existed when lots of historical houses were developed and first wired. So updating electrical systems is an important job for a lot of old houses. Yet efforts to update electrical systems can result in damage to the structure. This guide will provide some steps to take to ensure this does not happen.

This guide will provide some steps to ensure updating your electrical systems won’t result in damage to the structure of your house.

 

Here are 10 tips for rewiring an old house

Conversations with other tradies and professionals, as well as my own experience as a master electrical contractor, have helped to provide this list of to consider so that rewiring goes smoothly, with less holes drilled in the walls, floors, and ceilings.

Old homes often require updates to electrical systems. Follow these ideas to get it done without unnecessary damage to your home. Any new electrical system will include Residual Current Devices (RCD’s) to protect against electrocution.

Here are 7 Steps to Safely Rewire Your House

Do an “electrical stock take”

Creating a list of all the devices you’ll be using in the house, and where the “live”. Your electrical system needs to match your needs; figuring out where and how you’ll be utilising power makes it easier to put together the specifications of the job.

Have a look at local  building codes and  the like.

Codes set requirements for many things from how many outlets you’ll put in each room to what sort of wire you’ll be using. Failing to get permits can lead to having to take out finished work.

Decide your Needs

Decide whether you want to run simply electrical, or IT, fire, and security systems as well

Modern electrical wiring doesn’t simply bring electricity, and wireless systems are getting increasingly cheaper and more advanced.

Develop a plan of action

Use your list to develop a detailed plan of action

When you’ve done your preliminary research, sit down and produce a punch list that concentrates on what you desire done and when you want it finished; the list must be the basis of your relationship with  electrical contractor.

Breaker panels with a jumble of old wires need to be inspected carefully by an electrical expert for intact insulation, burn marks or signs of arcing damage.  In most circumstances a complete switchboard upgrade will be needed to ensure the entire electrical system in your house is safe.

Look for existing infrastructure such as plumbing.

Part of preventing damage is making certain no one punches holes in plumbing or existing wiring. This kind of awareness needs to be a leading priority in any rewiring job.

“Ask two times, drill once” are words to live by.

Put things in writing

Constantly put things in writing, however leave versatility

Surprises invariably appear, particularly when you’re digging deep into a building’s structure.

Find a trusted Electrician

Find an electrician that understands older buildings. Operating in older buildings can be a complex, demanding, and challenging task.

Good contracts

Make demolition and reconstruction an essential part of the contract. At Lake Road Electrical we make clean-up and restoration as important as the electrical wiring itself.

Home Run Wiring for essential appliances

Aim for “home runs” for essential areas and appliances– these are when a wire runs straight from a circuit breaker to an outlet, without any other gadgets on that breaker.

That can lower loads on the power system and keep popped breakers to a minimum. Additionally, it’s essential to keep an eye on which areas feed to which breakers where more than one outlet is included.

Creating a “balanced” system will make life easier as your load broadens and you put new wiring to utilise.

Use the historical look and feel

Incorporate switches and plates into the historical look and feel of the house.

Numerous business use hardware that matches the appearance and the feel of nearly any era, while offering a far higher margin of safety than older devices does.

New wiring systems often can be run near the old– as in this vintage house that’s been effectively rewired, with a new box placed near now-defunct ceramic knobs on the basement ceiling.

Modern Demands

The needs of contemporary innovation can intensify the circumstance, and they’re at threat of doing so all the time. Older houses were built at a time when 60 amps was considered a lot of electricity for a single home. By contrast, the majority of new houses are developed with 150- or 200-amp service, but 100 amps was the standard for several years– and most professionals agree that anything less than 100 amps is unlikely to fulfill the electrical requirements of a modern household.

Most importantly, it’s critical to understand that you’re handling an older structure– and if keeping the structure of that building reasonably intact is your top priority, you need to state so in advance.

Insurance coverage

Don’t forget to advise your insurance provider of the work you’re undertaking. You should also look into the council permissions and building codes you may need for the work being undertaken.

If you’re finding this process overwhelming, just give us a call. We’re happy to visit your place and assist you with what is required.