Rewiring your home can be an intimidating process. With the help of an experienced electrician from Mister Sparky, you can get assistance with rewiring your home. Our talented electricians can replace your existing wires without damaging any drywall, so you can quickly update your home with the least amount of disruption possible.
Can You Rewire a House Without Removing the Drywall?
New homes have the electrical system put in before the drywall goes up. This is because it is fairly difficult to install or remove wiring once your house is finished.
However, there are circumstances where you need to change the wiring after the walls have been put in place. In older homes, the wiring can become faulty or frayed. When this happens, the following steps can help homeowners remove and replace old wiring with the minimal amount of damage possible.
Create a Wiring Map
The first step in the process is to make a wiring map. A qualified electrician will look at your home to determine where your existing outlets and wires are. Then, they will figure out the kind of wiring your home needs and any updates it may require. An electrician from Mister Sparky will carefully design the wiring map so that it disrupts your home’s infrastructure as little as possible.
Prepare To Do the Wiring
Next, the electrician will get your home ready to be rewired. You can help this process by cleaning up your home and making a clear area for the electrician to do their work. Often, rewiring involves a lot of work in the attic or crawlspace, so you should do everything you can to make these areas accessible.
Before one of our electricians can get started on your home’s wiring, they must first turn off the power. Then, they’ll disconnect the existing wiring from the electrical panel. Once this is done, the existing wires can remain in their current positions forever because they are no longer connected to any electricity.
Install New Wires
After disconnecting the existing wires, the electrician will begin installing new electrical wiring in your home. They will likely use your crawlspace or attic so that they don’t have to cut through your home’s drywall. They will run each wire to the location closest to where it needs to be. Then, the electrician will drill a hole through the wall and fish the cable out of the wall from the other side.
Afterward, the electrician will secure the new wiring in each electrical box with wire clamps. The wiring near your rafters or joists will be secured using staples. Once the wiring is completely secured, it can be connected to the appropriate fixture or outlet.
Test the Wires
After everything has been connected, the electrician can turn the power on again. Once the electricity is on, they can test each connection, fixture, and outlet to make sure that they’re working properly. The electrician will replace outlet covers and clean up their workspace before leaving.
How Often Should You Rewire Your Home?
If the wiring is installed correctly, it can last for decades before it needs to be replaced. However, faulty or old wiring should be updated. If your home was constructed before 1970, it likely has aluminum wiring. Since this type of wiring can cause fires, it is essential to get it replaced.
You may also need to update your home’s electrical system if you notice flickering lights or warm outlets. If the circuit breaker is tripped frequently, it indicates your wiring is likely getting overloaded. Likewise, sparks, burning odors, and scorch marks near your outlets are indicators that your home needs professional help.
Modern homes have more electronic devices than older homes. As a result, many older homes have a lower amperage capacity than modern residents need. If you have to use power strips or extension cords because of a lack of outlets, it is time to get your home updated.
Finally, you should pay attention to any electric shocks you get when plugging in an appliance. Plugging something in should never lead to an electrical shock, so reach out for expert help if you’re experiencing this problem.
Update Your Home’s Wiring
If your home’s wiring is old or faulty, it may be time to get it replaced. Luckily, wiring replacements don’t have to be a major operation. With the help of an electrician from Mister Sparky, you can get new wiring installed without damaging your walls or ceilings. To learn more about how we can help with your home renovations and updates, reach out to one of our team members today.