Although knob and tube wiring is outdated, it can still be found in homes that were built before 1940 and after 1880. The wiring is identified by its ceramic, white knobs that look like they are a spool of thread.
Just because something was made to last 100 years, doesn’t mean it should be kept around for that long. Energy demands have increased over the years and old wiring gives you a high risk of an electrical fire or shock. If you have knob and tube wiring, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
If you think that your home’s knob and tube wiring should be replaced, or if you would like your wiring inspected, contact us at Attic Projects today.
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Modern homes are not typically built with knob and tube wiring, and while it’s not necessarily dangerous, it can be problematic as your insulation deteriorates over time. Because of this, knob and tube wiring should not be installed in or through your insulation.
Speaking of wiring insulation, you should never have wiring installed or pushed through your insulation. It can cause fire hazards if the wires overheat. You should have “open wiring” in your home. Open wiring allows you to have the open airspace that your wiring requires in case of overheating.
Other safety concerns include:
If you have knob and tube wiring, it doesn’t mean your home is at immediate risk of an electrical fire, but it can mean that the electrical system needs to be regularly inspected. This will ensure the knob and tube wiring isn’t corroded, worn, or damaged in any such way. Knob and tube wiring has also been known to make it difficult to get proper home insurance.
When you have knob and tube wiring, it will use a rubber, cloth-like insulation. Over time this insulation can become brittle and begin to crack or flake. When this happens, it can create a huge fire hazard if the wires overheat.
When knob and tube wiring was popular, the amount of electricity used in homes was miniscule compared to homes today. Now, these systems can’t keep up with the amount of electricity the modern world uses and can overheat easily.
Most knob and tube circuits have fewer branch circuits than what we use today, leaving electrical systems at risk of higher levels of currents and an increased risk of electrical fires.
Because the knob and tube wires are made out of porcelain, they are easily cracked, leaving the wires susceptible to fraying.
Most handymen/electricians are not trained on how to properly work with knob and tube wiring. This can lead to hazardous situations when trying to upgrade your electrical system.
Knob and tube wiring is more susceptible to mechanical damage. Only a professional should handle knob and tube wiring issues.
It is typically found in a basement or attic of homes that were made from 1880-1940. It’s white and ceramic knobs look similar to a spool of thread. The wires are looped through the ceramic knobs and the tubes secure the wires as they are run through the joists.
Just because you can’t see the knob and tube wiring, doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t hiding in your home. If your wiring is inside the walls of your home by a technique known as “spider-webbing,” you may not be able to find it without professional help. The professional will use a camera to insert in the wall and look around.
The most appropriate way to handle knob and tube wiring is to have it completely removed and then professionally replaced. As mentioned before, knob and tube wiring was made to last 100 years, but that does not mean it should. Replacing it with modern copper wiring systems will allow your home to be more energy-efficient and keep you up to the current Electrical Safety Code standards.
You will also want to install a brand new electrical panel to make sure your home’s system is able to handle the electrical usage of today’s requirements. Contact our professionals at Attic Projects to get your knob and tube wiring removed and replaced today.
Our technicians specialize in replacing unsafe and outdated wiring. This should not be a DIY project that anyone, let alone an inexperienced homeowner, should attempt. We take pride in our expert troubleshooting and can give you confidence that your home is being handled as safely as possible.
Electrical Wire Inspection | Knob and Tube Rewiring | Electrical Panel Upgrades | New Electrical Wires | Electrical Rodent Protection
Yes, and it was most popular about 100 years ago. However, you shouldn’t necessarily keep your wiring for 100 years. The risk for electrical shock increases as the demand for energy increases. If you have knob and tube wiring, no matter how old it is, you should consider having it replaced.
Actually, yes knob and tube wiring can affect your insulation. You are required to use a rubber or cloth insulation with knob and tube wiring. This can lead to cracking and drying out of insulation in your home since it is supposed to last 100 years, but the insulation is not.
Typically, no. Most modernized homes do not have knob and tube wiring put in when constructed, simply because the technology is outdated and can cause more electrical problems than you know.
Most handymen and electricians don’t work with knob and tube wiring, so it is hard to find someone who can properly and safely work with your electrical issues. Contact Attic Projects today to get a free, professional inspection of your knob and tube wiring.
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Rodents are a nightmare for any homeowner. They can lower the value of your home by causing serious damage, foul odors, and extensively unsanitary conditions. They also pose a significant health risk to you and your family by spreading disease and causing illness. The last thing you want is to waste your time removing rodents, only to have them move right back in. At Attic Projects, we not only humanely remove the rodents and pests from your home, but we also rodent-proof your home so they can’t come back. In order to keep the pests and rodents out permanently, you have to close up every entry point that they may squeeze into. Call Attic Projects today to get your free estimate.
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