As your home ages, so does your electrical system, and outdated electrical infrastructure can be a problem. Old electrical wiring can be dangerous and leaving it alone will only cause more issues down the road. When you notice that your home’s electrical system isn’t working like it should, you may need to consider rewiring your home. In this blog, the expert electricians at Kolb Electric explain why old wiring is dangerous and how to tell if your home needs rewiring.
The Dangers of Old Electrical Wiring
Old and outdated electrical wiring can cause many different problems, and some of them are very dangerous. For example, old wiring can cause electrical shocks or fires, which can impact your family or home. Old electric wiring can also cause power surges and flickering lights, which can lead to fires and electrical shock.
If you have new appliances but outdated wiring, this could actually damage your appliances, meaning you’ll be spending extra money to repair or replace them. Faulty wiring can also lead to circuit breaker issues by causing the circuit to overheat, which in turn can lead to fires, electrical shock, and blackouts.
Signs You Need To Replace Wiring
If you aren’t sure if you need to replace the wiring in your home, then you’re in luck. There are many signs that will indicate you need to replace the wiring, which should be done before something devastating happens. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to start planning for a home rewiring project:
- Age of wiring and insulation: Homes older than 50 years may need wiring replacement and insulation replacement. Rewiring will help eliminate many of the dangers posed by old wiring.
- Flickering lights: Dimming and flickering lights are signs of faulty wiring or a bad connection. If many lights in your home flicker while on, the power flow is inconsistent, and this can be resolved by rewiring.
- Sparking outlets: If your outlets regularly spark when you plug something in, you need to call an electrician. This is dangerous and a major sign that your electrical system needs attention.
- Burning smells: Regular burning smells in your home without a noticeable cause could indicate problems with your wiring. Faulty and loose wires can short, which causes a burning smell.
- Electrical shocks: Have you ever touched a cord or unplugged something and received a small shock? This could indicate bad wiring that needs to be replaced.
Why a Professional Electrician Should Rewire Your Home
While trying to rewire your home yourself may seem like a way to save money, you should leave this job to the professionals. It’s exceptionally dangerous to work with electrical systems without the proper training, tools, and personal protective equipment, so you risk seriously injuring yourself or causing significant harm to your home. You will also likely spend more time and effort than a professional, leading to a more expensive project than you originally anticipated. Hiring a professional is a much safer, more cost-effective, and more efficient way to get the job done.
Schedule Wiring Services With Kolb Electric
If the signs you need rewiring ring true for your home, it’s time to call Kolb Electric. Our experienced technicians can handle your home’s rewiring safely and with ease. We have over 90 years of experience rewiring homes, including older ones, and we’re ready to help you make your home safer. You can also take advantage of some of our coupons for additional savings.
For the best electrical rewiring services in Virginia, contact Kolb Electric.