5 Tips for Rewiring an Old House

If you live in an old house and you want to make it safer or simply a bit more modern, you should consider replacing your electrical wiring. Of course, the amount of work you can do depends on many factors, like the accessibility of the walls and attic, the amount of demolition you’re willing to do, and your budget. However, once you finish this project, you’re bound to feel much more comfortable in your home. So, here are five tips that should help you rewire your home.

Do the inventory

Your new electrical system needs to match your needs, which is why you should do an inventory of all the appliances that you plan on using in the house. You should also think about the largest appliances on that list and meeting their demands. This way, your appliances are more likely to run properly and safely. Knowing these details should help you plan the rest of the rewiring process too.

Consult a professional

Even the smallest mistake in rewiring could lead to a costly disaster later. This is why it’s extremely important to work with a licensed electrician no matter how much you think you know about rewiring. Additionally, there are standards and necessary permits for everything, from the number of outlets you can have to the kind of wire you can use. For this reason, as well, it’s best to have somebody experienced around who can advise you about the materials and planning in general.

Consider the walls

When it comes to rewiring, it’s very important to decide how much you’re willing to “demolish” your walls in order to replace the old wiring. If you’ve just bought your house, it might be easier to make a few new holes for the cables. However, if you’re living in it at the moment and can’t afford to disturb your lifestyle too much, your options might be a bit limited. You might have to leave the walls intact and replace only the wiring in the attic, so make sure to keep that in mind while planning the process.

Drill new holes

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Sometimes, drilling new holes becomes necessary if you cannot reuse the ones you already have. And sometimes, old wiring cannot fit the needs of modern appliances considering all the technology that has become a part of our daily lives. However, when you start drilling new holes, you need to be careful not to damage any already existing wiring or plumbing. This is extremely important, since it’s one of those things that would cost you a lot if you made a mistake. Measure the location of your new hole carefully, and drill a smaller hole first to ensure that you’re not near any wiring. As for the convenience, place the new holes in a way that would reduce the need for any extension cords.

Replace your service equipment

Besides replacing all the wiring in your home, you should also consider replacing your main electrical panel and any other subpanels that you might have. This is important in case you want to add more circuits. It also might be a good idea if your old panel is in bad shape in general, or if it contains fuses instead of circuit breakers. After all, the main panel is the heart of all the wiring, so if you want the system to work the best it possibly could, it should be upgraded as well. Otherwise, the whole system could be limited and more prone to damage.

Rewiring an old house can be difficult, since it’s a job that requires a lot of careful planning, knowledge, and experience. So, in order to avoid any future issues, consult a professional, plan things ahead, think about the structure of your house, and your home should be as good as new in no time.