Replacing Aluminum Wiring in Your Home

Replacing aluminum wiring in your home may be a big project on your agenda. Many homes are wired with aluminum due to a copper shortage in the 1960s. Today, neither electricians nor builders use aluminum wiring, making it more of a priority to replace it. Many of these aluminum wired connections end up failing which can result in a fire.

Replacing Aluminum Wiring vs. Pigtailing

When it comes to aluminum wiring replacement, and pigtailing vs. replacing aluminum wiring, you may be wondering which one you should choose. Pigtailing is not really used as a solution to replacing aluminum writing. This is because it consists of connecting a length of the copper wire to the aluminum wire. The copper wire will then connect to a device or outlet.

There are certain things you should know when it comes to pigtailing aluminum wiring including:

• Connections that are not on tight can cause a spark, which can then result in igniting wallpaper, wiring, or insulation.
• Even after connecting to the copper, aluminum wiring is still considered to be a loose-connection risk.
• Cooper to aluminum connections that are approved as well as antioxidant compounds should be used.
• Loose connections can increase the resistance of all electrical currents, resulting in the melting of the insulation and fixtures.

Even though this process saves money, most people are unwilling to take the risk of putting their homes at risk for a fire.

Rewiring Your Home

It is possible to tear out the walls to replace aluminum wiring. However, you must install new drywall after the rewiring process has been completed. This is probably the most time-consuming and expensive method you could do.

On the other hand, if you have a historical or older home, you want to make sure that you protect the home’s architectural integrity. If you choose not to, you still want to consider saving yourself time and money. Electricians can sometimes feed wires via walls by cutting a small hole in the drywall. An experienced electrician knows just how time-consuming this process is. However, you can remain in your home while this process is being done.

The length of time this project can take will depend on if your home is on a concrete slab, whether you have an attic, the architectural intricacy of your home, and many others. Typically, you can expect an uncomplicated rewiring project to take anywhere between three to ten days.

Don’t Delay Rewiring

The entire project can cost more than $10,000. However, this price can fluctuate depending on the square footage and how accessible the wiring is. The best thing to do is work with your local electrician to determine the most cost-effective way to rewire your home.

However, you can count on a lower energy bill and a better insurance premium. If you notice a burning smell, a popping or sizzling sound, a discolored electrical outlet, frequently blown fuses, you should not put off rewiring your home.

Categorised in: Aluminum Wire

This post was written by admin