Don’t be shocked by change

By Stephan Sardone

Hardly a day goes by without a story on local news outlets about a house fire. Oftentimes, the cause is faulty or outdated electrical support. If you have an older home, the wiring is more susceptible to problems, which could be hazardous or, at worst, catastrophic.

This is not a sexy remodel. It is a safety issue, and that should take precedent over a kitchen island or a walk-in pantry. 

If you don’t know when your wiring was last inspected, it is probably time for an inspection. Put the responsibility of the inspection and potential upgrade in the hands of an insured, licensed professional contractor.

One clear reason is that all wiring is behind walls. It is a labor-intensive job requiring getting access to the existing wiring, running new wiring, connecting securely to new outlets, replacing the electrical panel, repairing walls and returning the home to normalcy. You are not going to learn how to do all of that from a manual or in a YouTube video. 

It can be a difficult and potentially pricey redo. We are not talking about just replacing switch covers from white to hazelnut or mustard. You can’t take shortcuts here or discount the cost of peace of mind.

The power needs of today’s family are greater than ever before. You are no doubt stressing an older grid not built for computers, smart phones, security systems, a new swimming pool or hot tub and multiple entertainment options like video game consoles. In the 70s, there was no Madden NFL 20.

And don’t depend on telltale signs like an often-blown fuse or tripped breaker, flickering lights, warm or discolored outlets or a refrigerator or freezer not working at proper temperatures. There may not be any clues. Just do a quick inventory of existing wall outlets. How many are saddled with bulky extension cords or surge protectors? Are your outlets still two-prong and not three-prong? Those could foreshadow that an accident is waiting to happen.      

Obviously, a good time to have wiring work done is if you are undertaking other remodeling projects. Chances are that the wiring in one room is an indication of how the rest of the house is equipped.

 According to the National Fire Prevention Association, faulty wiring is the leading cause of residential fires. The older the home, the greater the chance an outdated electrical system is lurking behind the walls. Plus, at one point, builders were using aluminum wire instead of the classic, standard copper wire.

Aluminum wiring is a potential safety hazard, as connections can loosen, causing overheating and leading to a fire.

Standard wiring is expected by most homebuyers. But an upgraded system will add value to your home. Save all of your paperwork as proof. And some insurance companies will provide a discount on premiums if you have upgraded your home’s wiring to the latest technology. 

When you hire a professional, ask questions over and above just budget concerns. Seek timelines and ask about their approach to cutting sheetrock and replacing holes. This will alleviate hidden, or visible, surprises. 

So, for the time being, you can put off the cosmetic changes to your home for a change that is much more practical. The time to do a thorough electrical system inspection is now, especially if you live in an older home. 

Don’t let a system upgrade go down to the wire.