Outdated or insufficient wiring is so much more than an inconvenience; it’s a safety hazard. There is a much higher consumption of electricity today than ever before, meaning that you need wiring that can meet these increasing demands.
Rewiring is a major job—and one that should only be handled by professional electricians—however it can be vital to keeping you and your family safe. But how do you know if it’s time to rewire your home? Be aware of the following 5 signs.
Old age is the enemy of most appliances and components in your home. The average age of a home in America is about 30 years old. If this is the case for your home, and it still has its original wiring, then chances are it’s outdated and needs an upgrade.
The 21st century has brought us a plethora of technological advancements and electronic devices and appliances. This includes smart phones, tablets, gaming systems, exercise equipment, and so much more. Electrical systems are simply not equipped to handle all of this, particularly if your home was built in the 80’s or prior. It just puts too much strain on your wiring.
Do you plan on eventually selling your home? If your wiring is outdated, then many buyers and even mortgage lenders may be discouraged. Wiring in older homes often doesn’t meet National Electrical Code standards, which a rewire can help solve.
Overloading electrical outlets—in a best case scenario—will cause your circuit breakers to trip. It also leads to overheating, fire, or electrical shocks. By investing in a rewire, you can add more outlets and switches, bringing your house up to date.
Other signs that it is time to rewire your house include visibly worn electric cables, electrical shocks from appliances, sockets, and switches, outlets and cords that get warm from use, fuses that blow regularly, frequent power outages, and the use of two-pronged outlets rather than three-pronged.