Electrical wiring replacement, repairs St. Catharines ON
Most modern homes built in the 1980s onwards use copper wiring, but if your home was built prior to the 1970s, chances are you have an older wiring system that may need replacing. We are licensed electricians St. Catharines residents search for when they need to repair damaged electrical wire or replace the wiring system altogether. We are your experts in electrical wiring services.
In the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum wiring was prevalent. The electrical safety authority (ESA) in Ontario deems aluminum wiring in households and businesses to be safe. So where does the danger lie? The fact is that aluminum wiring deteriorates quicker than copper, so when you have faulty or damaged wiring, this can cause electrocution or a fire risk. There are also connection issues that can contribute to a safety risk. However, you’ll need to contact your reliable electrician to assess your situation. Depending on the setup of the system and the condition of the wiring, advice can range from a complete aluminum wiring replacement to simply adding a copper cap to the end of the aluminum wire. Contact us to start a conversation about your home wiring needs as well as an aluminum wiring replacement cost estimate. From the late 19th century to the 1950s, knob and tube wiring was the most common in North America because they were more affordable than alternatives. It’s instantly recognizable and follows its namesake with the little white knobs interspersed along the wires. It was usually covered in a cotton cloth or rubber sheath. |
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So what makes knob and tube wiring dangerous for a household?
A common misconception is that the wires themselves are inherently dangerous. Most of the time, that’s not the case. Here’s what can make a k&t wiring system more dangerous than the modern copper wiring:
-The most recent addition of knob and tube wiring dated back to 1950s, which is still a good 60 to 70 years ago. This gives older wires to degrade, and as mentioned earlier, degrading wires leads to safety risks. So yes, in this instance, the wires themselves can be dangerous on account of their old age.
-It’s incompatible with moisture, so there is some danger if the wires are found in close proximity to high moisture rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.
-It has no ground conductor.
-It is sheathed in either cotton cloth or rubber, which when comes in contact with insulation and other building materials, may create sparks which can start a fire.
So should you be looking for a knob and tube wiring replacement?
Although it is still legal in Ontario to have k&t wiring in homes and businesses, it would be wise to replace knob and tube wiring for the following reasons:
If you’re concerned about the knob and tube wiring replacement cost, contact us for an assessment and we’ll give you advice on whether a replacement is a must-have or a nice-to-have situation. We ourselves have our homes replaced with copper wiring, so we like to treat our customers’ homes as if they were our own. So whether you’re looking for electrical wiring repair or electrical wiring replacement, our St. Catharines electricians can handle it all and guide you along the way.
A common misconception is that the wires themselves are inherently dangerous. Most of the time, that’s not the case. Here’s what can make a k&t wiring system more dangerous than the modern copper wiring:
-The most recent addition of knob and tube wiring dated back to 1950s, which is still a good 60 to 70 years ago. This gives older wires to degrade, and as mentioned earlier, degrading wires leads to safety risks. So yes, in this instance, the wires themselves can be dangerous on account of their old age.
-It’s incompatible with moisture, so there is some danger if the wires are found in close proximity to high moisture rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.
-It has no ground conductor.
-It is sheathed in either cotton cloth or rubber, which when comes in contact with insulation and other building materials, may create sparks which can start a fire.
So should you be looking for a knob and tube wiring replacement?
Although it is still legal in Ontario to have k&t wiring in homes and businesses, it would be wise to replace knob and tube wiring for the following reasons:
- Modern homes fare better with a modern copper wiring system
- There is a reduced fire hazard when replacing k&t wiring with copper wiring
- Insurance companies may charge a higher premium for homes that still have k&t wiring (some companies don’t even insure these homes at all)
- Your home value will likely be higher when you replace the knob and tube wiring
If you’re concerned about the knob and tube wiring replacement cost, contact us for an assessment and we’ll give you advice on whether a replacement is a must-have or a nice-to-have situation. We ourselves have our homes replaced with copper wiring, so we like to treat our customers’ homes as if they were our own. So whether you’re looking for electrical wiring repair or electrical wiring replacement, our St. Catharines electricians can handle it all and guide you along the way.
