Older homes have plenty of character, but their wiring was designed for a lot less than we plug in today. Here are the issues we find most often, and why they matter.
Two-prong outlets have no ground wire. Swapping in a three-prong outlet without a ground just hides the problem, because the third hole isn’t connected to anything. The right fixes are running a ground wire, or installing GFCI protection and labeling the outlet No Equipment Ground, which the code allows as a safe alternative.
Some homes built from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s used aluminum wiring for outlets and lights. Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, and over time connections can loosen and overheat. Warm outlets or switches, flickering lights, or a burning smell are warning signs. Repairs that join short copper leads to the aluminum with approved connectors make it much safer.
Knob-and-tube wiring, found in homes built before about the 1940s, has no ground, its insulation gets brittle with age, and it was never meant to be buried under attic insulation, where it can overheat. Many insurance companies won’t cover a home with knob-and-tube still in use. Replacing it doesn’t have to mean tearing up your walls: we specialize in low-damage rewiring for historic homes.
Also watch for an original panel (see our post on Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels), too few outlets and too many extension cords, and breakers that trip often. An inspection by a licensed electrician will tell you what you have and what to fix first.
