Old House Electrical Wiring near Atlanta
Generally, we recommend a whole-house safety inspection check before deciding whether electrical wiring in an old home needs to be rewired.
The most important factors are:
- The age of the wire
- The condition of the wiring
- The safety of the home
Atlanta area homes with cloth wiring or without a grounding system are prime candidates for rewiring.
Electrical Wiring Before 1960
Most homes built before the 1960’s contain cloth wiring. Cloth wiring deteriorates over time and exposes the live wires inside the cloth coating. An electrical inspection by a certified electrician is the best way to know the type and condition of your wiring system and if that system is safe.
You can also check yourself by looking at the electrical wires running through the studs and rafters of your crawlspace or attic and inspecting the outside cover of the wires for wear. Common signs are exposed metal, fraying, and cracks.
If your home is especially old, you may have metallic cable or “knob & tube” wiring. These ungrounded systems were installed prior to cloth wire and should be replaced because they lead to serious problems.
Electrical Grounding for Outlets
Ungrounded outlets are outlets that do not have a ground wire to protect you from electric shock. A ground wire provides a safe path away from you and back into the ground if there is a short. Grounding also protects your appliances from electrical damage. This is why many appliances come with a three prong plug.
A two-prong outlet signifies that there is no ground wire and prevents a homeowner from plugging in appliances or electronics that require grounding. In some cases, uninformed persons will replace a two-prong outlet with a three-prong outlet without adding a new ground wire. This creates a major hazard and is potentially dangerous to anyone using that outlet.
This is why replacing a two-prong outlet with a three-prong outlet without running a new wire is illegal throughout the county and in Georgia. The only way to properly fix an ungrounded outlet is to rewire the outlet.
Rewiring Your Atlanta Area Home
A good electrical company can rewire your entire home without damaging your sheetrock. Generally, only a few 4″ x 4″ holes will need to be cut when an entire home is rewired. You’ll also need an expert electrician at fishing wires through walls and ceilings.
Also, a good electrician will make sure the power and lights stay on in your home during the rewiring process.
Depending on the size of the home, a complete rewire can take between one and two weeks to complete. This includes scheduling the necessary county inspections and completing the work. Larger homes can take two weeks or slightly longer.
Rewiring your home is a major aesthetic and lifestyle upgrade, but the most important benefit of a rewired home is safety. A complete rewire removes any doubt that there are electrical problems within your home.
Plus, it includes looped smoke detectors, a new panel, GFI protected outlets, grounded outlets, and plastic coated wire that will last a lifetime. Did you know that some home insurance companies give better rates to homeowners with new wiring systems? They know the danger of old wiring better than anyone.
