Rewiring is possibly the most disruptive domestic job there is. Cables require routing in walls, voids and under floors. Often there’s a significant job after to redecorate.
That being said an expert electrician can avoid a lot of disruption using a methodical approach. But before you take the step in choosing to do a rewire consider the below points.
Electrical installations in homes will generally have a shelf life of around 30 years. After that they are considered old. Given the risk critical nature of electricity we don’t recommend you wait until it’s broken to fix it. If the electrics are old then it’s time to call in an electrician. Below is a list of key signs that the electrical wiring in your home is old..
⚡️ Are there plug sockets in the skirting? This indicates very old wiring.
⚡️Are ceiling pendant lights very close to windows? Again, this says the installation is likely very old.
⚡️Have you noticed a green substance around sockets, switches or cables? This is a reaction from a chemical in the cable and is usually a flag that the wiring is aged.
⚡️Does your fuse box have “pull out” fuses or no RCDs? A fuse board with “pull out” fuses is likely at least 40 years old.
⚡️Is there a notable lack of plug sockets in a room? Old electrical installations had much fewer plug socket points as there was much less household appliances. This is another give away sign of an old electrical system.
⚡️We don’t recommend you expose any wires yourself but if you are aware that you have red and black wires in your home then this means the electrics were installed before 2006.
Are Electrical Faults A Problem?
If you have experienced any of the below you should seek assistance from a professional electrician. This could mean the electrics need modernising or rewiring work is needed to repair defective circuits.
⚡️If you are experiencing nuisance tripping of circuits then it’s possible the wiring is faulty. With some innovative solutions a good electrician can usually rewire part of an installation without too much trouble. Never ignore a tripping circuit. Circuit breakers are designed to detect faults. If they trip it’s for a reason and the reason should be fully understood.
⚡️ Do switches or electrical points ever feel warm to the touch. This is a sure sign of overloading. Call an electrician immediately.
⚡️Can you hear a loud buzzing sound coming from switches or electrical points? This can indicate a bad connection and needs urgent attention.
If it looks old and haggard, it probably is! If you notice what appears to be obsolete electrical points and wiring then you should get an EICR test done by a fully accredited electrician company. Obsolete and unsafe wiring found in this report should be rewired.
Old electrics are like old electricians. They’ve both been around for ages. But where an old electrician might become experienced and wise an old electrical installation just becomes a liability. Perhaps like an old electrician might if he didn’t wear his glasses!
If you suspect any of the above then call us today on 0208 819 3188. Or you can email us on info@quantum-electrical.co.uk
We can assess your electrics and advise on the most economical solution that suits both your needs and budget.
All rewire work carried out by Quantum carries a warranty and full certification giving you peace of mind that your electrics are safe and reliable. We have carried out hundreds of house rewires over the years and have extensive experience in our team of electricians to tackle all varieties of houses.
Quantum “ the rewire gurus” Electricians & Plumbers
