We haven’t written the end of this story yet, and we’re hoping to give it a happy ending. If you live in the vintage house and it’s the one with the bad wiring, you can write the upbeat ending yourself by calling us to help you with vital Clarence, NY electrician services.
This Vintage House
There are many older homes in Western New York, and it’s not a surprise to find people living in a house that’s over a hundred years old. With proper renovation and upgrades, these vintage homes can be beautiful places to live.
But then there’s the hidden parts of the house that may not have gotten a proper upgrade—such as the electrical system. If you live in a home that is more than 50 years old, it may have wiring concerns that require the attention of a professional. If you haven’t made any significant changes to the wiring before, we recommend calling us for an audit.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Here’s one of the persistent villains of this story, one we’re used to dealing with. Knob-and-tube wiring is an obsolete type of wiring that runs wires through a series of porcelain tubes to insulate them. This is a hazardous type of wiring and unfortunately, it’s still found in many homes in the area. Not only is knob-and-tube wiring a source of electrical fires, but it won’t be able to handle the electrical demands of a modern home.
Aluminum Wiring
This is another outdated type of wiring, which has a higher chance of creating fire hazards than newer copper wiring. You’re most likely to find aluminum wiring in homes built during the 1960s.
The Ol’ Fuse Box
Here’s another piece of obsolete electrical technology you may have in your house: the fuse box. Today, the breaker panel has replaced the fuse box: it’s more convenient, and safer as well. With the increase of electrical use in homes, fuse boxes need larger and larger fuses, and that is a big safety hazard.
But just because you have an electrical panel doesn’t mean your house is in the clear. Older panels can be dangerous as well. The Federal Pacific electrical panel, for example, is known to be a serious fire hazard. If you have one of these panels, arrange for a replacement ASAP.
Whole-House Rewiring Is the Best Solution
If you have outdated wiring in a vintage home, there isn’t a shortcut to improve the situation, no quick “patch” that will work for a few years. You can’t simply have a new panel put in, or switch to GFCI and AFCI outlets and call it a day. You’ll need our electricians to rewire the house and all parts of the electrical system—a full replacement.
This is absolutely not a job for amateurs or a DIY project. Your house must meet the local electrical codes for safety, and only licensed electricians have the knowledge, training, and tools to see that your electrical system replacement is done to code. This is complex work, and you want to entrust it to the professionals.
Scherer Electric is Western New York’s Favorite Electrician! Call us today to learn more about what we can do for your vintage home’s wiring.
