Home builders typically put in wiring before they finish the walls of a home. Once the drywall goes up, your home’s electrical system becomes mostly hidden behind the walls. Naturally, the prospect of planning a rewiring project might leave you picturing holes in the walls and dusty drywall covering every surface of the rooms. Fortunately, this image is far from the truth.
Professional electricians can usually rewire homes without having to remove large portions of the walls. Modern techniques and equipment may allow the walls to stay completely intact. If an electrician does need to gain access, then they can use minimally invasive techniques to reach wires. Taking a look at how electricians make sure their work is nearly undetectable helps you relax about improving your home’s wiring system.
Making the Decision to Rewire
The majority of homeowners choose to rewire their house once the system ages to the point that it is no longer safe. As the wiring ages, you might notice issues such as flickering lights, frequent tripped breakers and issues with running appliances. Some older homes may need rewiring to meet modern energy demands and safety requirements. Talking to your electrician helps you determine the best course of action when you face electrical issues in your home.
Creating a Wiring Map
Once you’ve decided to do the rewiring project, an electrician will assess the current electrical system. They’ll develop a detailed map that shows where the wiring, outlets and switches are located in your house. This map will also include information about which components require placement along with where the new wiring goes. Having this map in hand makes it possible for electricians to begin working without causing too much disruption to your home.
Preparing and Removing Existing Wires
With most rewiring projects, the goal is to move the primary wiring infrastructure to parts of the home that are easily accessible. Moving the main portion of the wiring to an attic, crawlspace or other unobtrusive location is a big part of allowing the electricians to work without removing the drywall.
Before they begin working, the electrician will shut off the power supply to prevent shocks and sparks. Then, they’ll disconnect the existing wires from the main electrical panel. During this part of their work, they’ll try to remove as much of the exposed wire as they can. Once they are done, any leftover disconnected wiring that they can’t reach can stay behind the walls where they won’t pose a risk for harm.
Installing the New Wiring
After the old wires are out of the way, the electrician can then begin guiding the new wires to their intended destinations. In most cases, they can use a fishing technique to move the wires through the walls using outlets and other existing openings. If they need to make an opening, they can typically drill small holes through the top or bottom portions of the walls. These holes are patchable, and they may be covered by baseboards or molding around the edges of the walls.
To finish the project, the electrician connects the wires to the fixtures and outlets they supply power to, and they’ll complete the circuit at the main electrical panel. Although the timeline can vary depending upon the amount of wiring your home requires, the project is typically finished within a few days or weeks.
Testing and Inspecting the New System
With all of the connections and wires in place, your electrician can then turn on the power and make sure that everything works properly. They’ll also make sure that the home’s new wiring passes any necessary inspections by the local municipalities and that you are satisfied before they put on the new outlet covers and start cleaning up their equipment.
Cleaning Up and Moving Forward
When all goes well, there shouldn’t be too much cleaning up to do. Professional electricians will help tidy up any small messes that occur, and they’ll walk you through your home’s new electrical system. As you learn about the placement of the new electrical panel and wires, this is a great time to ask questions about care and maintenance. Knowing when to call for future inspections helps you to ensure that the new wiring stays safe and in good condition for many years into the future.
The beginning of every rewiring project should include establishing clear communication with your electrician. Discussing the general timeline and details of your project helps you to know what to expect once the work begins. Our team at Mister Sparky strives to minimize disruptions to your household activities, and we encourage you to reach out to us with your questions and concerns as you move forward with rewiring projects.