Rewiring your house can be a daunting task, but it’s an essential job that needs to be done every few decades to keep your home safe and up to code. Electrical wiring, over time, can become weak, outdated, and unsafe, so it’s vital to hire a licensed electrician to do the job or take the appropriate safety measures if you plan to do it yourself.
Do You Need To Rewire Your House?
Before you proceed with the rewiring process, ensuring that your house needs to be rewired is crucial. Rewiring is stressful and time-consuming, so the decision shouldn’t be rushed. Certain situations may warrant you to rewire your home. These include:
Wanting To Sell The Property
If you plan on selling the property, make sure everything works correctly. Rewiring the house will increase the value of the property. Also, it’d create a good impression on the buyer and ensure customer satisfaction.
Electrical Abnormalities
You can also invite an electrical contractor to measure the power output in the house. This involves taking readings of the current, voltage, and electrical resistance. Wire ampacity, or the maximum amount of electric current a wire can safely carry, can be determined by measuring the wire output with a multimeter or inspecting the size of the wire.
Thicker wires can carry more current compared to thinner wires. This is the best method for how you can determine wire ampacity. You need to start the rewiring process if certain lights aren’t working correctly or the breaker trips regularly. Starting early prevents the condition from worsening and essentially prevents you from having a house fire.
Steps To Take When Rewiring Your House
The following are steps to take when rewiring your house:
Plan Your Rewiring Project
Before starting your rewiring project, you need to plan the entire process. This includes understanding your house’s electrical system, drawing a wiring diagram, deciding on the materials and tools you’ll need, and obtaining necessary permits from your local building authority. Having a plan helps you keep track of the work. It also acts as a guide, and you can monitor the progress made over time.
Turn Off The Power
Before starting any electrical work, turn off the power to your house at the main electrical panel. Double-check to ensure no power is running through any wires or electrical components. This is an important safety measure, as getting electrocuted is possible during electrical work.
Remove The Old Wiring
Now, it’s time to remove the old wiring. Start by removing the old electrical sockets, switches, and light fixtures, then remove the old wiring. Make sure you mark each wire to quickly identify which one goes where when you install the new wiring. Marking the wire helps prevent any wrong connections, which can undermine the whole rewiring process.
Install New Electrical Boxes
After removing the old wiring, you should install new electrical boxes for the new outlets, switches, and light fixtures. You should also ensure that the boxes are securely attached to the wall and have no means of falling off. Additionally, you should make sure that all connections are properly made to extend the life of the materials purchased.
Install New Wiring
Now, you can start installing new wiring in your house. Use high-quality wiring rated for your electrical needs and ensure it’s installed correctly. Follow your wiring diagram carefully and always keep safety in mind. Use electrical tape to secure the wires and keep them organized. Ensure that you have the proper gear and equipment for this process. This helps reduce any potential accidents that may occur. For example, cutting a wire with a plier than scissors or your teeth is better.
Install New Outlets, Switches, And Light Fixtures
After installing new wiring, it’s time to install new outlets, switches, and light fixtures. Follow the designer’s instructions for each component and connect each one to the correct wire. Be careful to tighten the screws on each element to ensure a secure connection.
When installing outlets, ensure that you use accurate power ratings. For example, an air conditioner and a freezer run on different power ratings. Confirm the type of outlet needed for the items you want to set up.
Turn The Power Back On
Once you’ve installed all the new wiring, outlets, switches, and light fixtures, it’s time to turn the power back on. Go to your electrical panel and switch on the main breaker. Test each outlet, switch, and light fixture to ensure they work correctly. Check your wiring diagram and adjust as needed if you notice any abnormalities. Remember to properly discard the old wiring and outlets that were removed, as they can contribute to a health hazard.
Conclusion
Rewiring your house is a significant project, and it’s always best to work with a licensed electrician to do the job. However, if you’re confident in your electrical abilities and want to do it yourself, follow these steps carefully and always prioritize safety. With the right tools, materials, and a solid plan, rewiring your house can be a manageable project that keeps your home safe and up to code.
