Replace Old, Unsafe Wiring, Etobicoke
Older homes typically use the “knob and tube” wiring method or aluminum wiring, which are outdated and can be unsafe. We can assess your home for safety and replace old wiring with safer systems.
Request InformationSchedule Service
Replace Old, Unsafe Wiring, Etobicoke
Houses with dated wiring are likely to cause problems around the house that show up as flickering lights, scorched or sparking outlets, or tripping breakers. If you haven’t had a renovation for years since obtaining your home and there are signs that it’s begun deteriorating, it may be time for an upgrade, especially replacing old, unsafe wiring. Statistics show that hundreds of fires per year are caused by faulty wiring and electrical outlets, which results in significant residential structural loss. For older homes, electrical renovations not only increase the safety of you and your home, but enhance your lifestyle with the potential to significantly boost the value of your home.
There are several reasons that outdated wiring is considered a safety hazard, but perhaps one of the most important is the continuous advancement of modern technologies, which has created a heavier electrical load for the modern home. Outdated wiring is just that: wiring that was installed during an earlier period in time, a time when the average home was built to accommodate the very few electrical appliances present. As time has passed and more appliances and devices have become the norm, a greater demand for electricity has been created, placing strain on existing systems that are not optimized to handle larger amounts of electricity. Having insufficient and outdated wiring therefore puts your property at risk.
The cost of replacing old, unsafe wiring and re-wiring the home can often be a concern, but any money spent on the process is money saved in what could have been critical property damage. The overall cost of re-wiring with copper can depend on factors such as the square footage or the size of your home (which affects the length of wiring needed), as well as the age of your house. The longer the time that passes since the last wiring upgrade, the more it tends to cost to replace, which is why you should address any wiring concerns as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Contact MADE ELECTRIC for more information on replacing old, unsafe wiring! We operate within the GTA to assess the safety of your home and ensure that it’s operating with the safest possible wiring system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What kind of wiring is considered old and unsafe?
Knob and tube wiring was primarily used for homes at the beginning of the 20th century, and is now considered obsolete due to its rubberized cloth insulation and its suspended nature. Aluminum wiring, too, although considered to be safer than its predecessor, has over time come to be considered less than ideal due to its softness, which can cause it to fray and come loose from terminals. This creates a need for aluminum wiring to be inspected every 3-5 years. Upgrading to copper wiring will allow you to save money on maintenance and inspection, while also ensuring that your home will be safer.
What other factors can affect the cost of replacement wiring?
Other additional costs can include the amount of materials that will be needed (including wiring, switches, bolts, etc.), acquiring any permits, and opening up the walls (ranging a few thousand depending on the current state of your home), which is why it’s often recommended to have wiring upgraded while in the midst of renovations, in which walls will already be down to allow you to save money on labour.
Will my home be less likely to be insured with outdated wiring?
Most insurance companies and mortgage lenders will likely be hesitant to deal with houses that are considered high risk or unsafe due to outdated wiring. Especially with very old wiring systems like knob and tube wiring, securing financing and obtaining a mortgage for these homes will be almost impossible until sufficient electrical upgrading has been done. The longer it’s left to the last minute, the more damage can compound, costing you money in the long-run.