How do I know when my property needs rewiring?

It is estimated that faulty wiring causes 12,500 fires and 750 serious accidents in the home every year.  Faulty electrics can lead to fires or electrocution which can result in fatalities.  If your wiring is very old and hasn’t been checked for a long time, it is also possible that in the event of an accident your insurer may refuse to pay out.

There are no hard and fast rules for when a property needs rewiring.  Older wiring can still be safe whereas newer wiring could become damaged or faulty.  However, if a property hasn’t been rewired for 25-30 years it is very likely that at least some of it will need to be rewired.

There are a few things you can check for yourself:

Fuse box

If it has wooden backing, cast iron switches, no labelling, big white ceramic-style fuses or black cables it is likely that it has been there for many years and is out of date.

Plug Sockets

Check to see if any are broken, cracked or are the old round pin type sockets.  How many plug sockets are there in each room?  Modern houses are built with quite a few as people use more electrical equipment now but if there is only 1 or 2 in each room it could indicate that your house was wired a long time ago.  If the plugs ever feel hot to the touch, get them checked by a registered electrician as soon as possible.

Lights

If your lights flicker a lot or the bulbs need changing very often, it could indicate that the wiring may need to be changed.  Also look at the light switches because if it is an old house and they are rounded, they could be many years old and need to be replaced with modern switches.

Unusual Activity

Be aware of any strange buzzing or crackling noises, burning smells, burn marks on plugs or damaged/fraying cables as these can indicate that your wiring is unsafe.  If your trip switch cuts in more than expected or fuses are often blowing, these are also potential danger signs.

Bathrooms

There should be no plug sockets in any bathrooms, only shaver sockets are permitted.  Also there shouldn’t be any switches in a bathroom, pull cords should be used instead.

Get the safest rewire with Barton Electrical

Check With An Expert

If you are unsure about your wiring or are buying a new house, you can have a periodic electrical inspection carried out by a registered electrician.  This is basically an inspection and testing to check whether electrical installations are safe and in good condition.  Once the inspection has been completed, you will be provided with an Electrical Installation Condition Report which will detail the findings and highlight anything that may be dangerous.

If rewiring is required, it is best to have this done before decorating as modern wiring cannot be surface mounted so will need to go in the ceilings, under floorboards or skirting boards or be channelled into the walls.

If in doubt, CALL AN ELECTRICIAN!

If you are in any doubt at all, don’t take any chances with your safety or the safety of your family and home.  Barton Electrical is a leading Ipswich based electrician with over 40 years’ experience so give us a call and we will be happy to help.  We’ve helped many customers when their property needs rewiring, we can help you also.