Replace Old, Unsafe Wiring, Markham
Older homes typically use the “knob and tube” wiring method or aluminum wiring, which are outdated and can be unsafe.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.
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Replace Old, Unsafe Wiring, Markham
The type of wiring that a home has usually depends on its age and the time of its last renovation (if any). The more outdated a wiring system is, the more dangerous it is to keep. Older wiring systems that are obsolete are inefficient and incompatible with today’s technology. Placing strain on your electrical system can be dangerous, with hundreds of house fires per year caused by faulty electrical distribution equipment (such as wiring or outlets). If your home has not had a wiring upgrade in at least 40 years, it may be time to replace your old, unsafe wiring.
The total cost of rewiring a home can vary depending on the square footage of your home, since its size can determine the amount of labour and materials required. Installation costs can also fluctuate depending on the age of your house. The longer a home has gone without an upgrade, the more it tends to cost to replace, racking up a total of thousands of dollars. This is why it is often recommended to have wiring upgraded as soon as you can, and why pre-wiring a home during construction with the latest system can help to save in the long-run. Tearing the walls down incur their own costs if wires don’t already go through the basement.
For any wiring projects, all work should be done by a licensed electrician to minimize the risks as much as possible. Electrical malfunctions caused by re-wiring mishaps can cause short-circuiting. Even if the symptoms don’t immediately manifest into something physical, with faulty wiring being one of the top causes of house fires, it’s best not to risk it since it can go undetected for years. Hiring a professional to do the job will also save you a lot of unnecessary headache, with project management and guidance from start to finish.
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 wiring systems are considered the best for the modern home?
Copper wiring is now considered the most stable and reliable form of wiring. Highly preferred by electrical experts and modern homeowners, most new homes are wired using copper material. It was previously considered expensive compared to aluminum, but over time proved to be cost-effective in reducing wiring, maintenance, and inspection expenses. As it allowed for smaller conductors to transmit larger electrical loads, with its higher tensile strength reducing the likelihood of wear and tear, copper soon became the favored medium for wiring.
Why is old wiring unsafe the more it ages out?
Besides being incompatible with technological advacements (which can place strain on outdated electrical systems), the older a wiring system is and the longer it goes unchecked, the more likely it is to compound in damage with aging. Modern wiring is insulated with plastic, but older systems like knob and tube wiring are wrapped in a rubberized cloth, which can crack and flake off over time. Since aluminum is such soft material, it can end up being very high-maintenance.
Is knob and tube wiring or aluminum wiring okay to keep in the home?
Homeowners can technically choose to keep knob and tube or aluminum wiring, but the drawbacks are much greater than upgrading. Along with the risk, they may, for example, find themselves encountering greater difficulties and inconveniences in insuring, securing financing, or selling their home. Since older wiring is considered unsafe and a major safety hazard, lenders and insurance companies may be hesitant to get involved in these kinds of properties until electrical upgrades have taken place. Additionally, maintaining older wiring systems can also be more costly, with maintenance and inspection recommended every 3-5 years.