Sparks and Smoke: 6 Signs Your House Needs Rewiring

If you bought an existing home, it’s likely the wiring was done a long time ago. Over the last few decades, there have been many advancements in home wiring that help to improve efficiency and safety for homeowners. If you’re experiencing any of the six problems below, it’s a good idea to consider having your home rewired.

Constant Burning Smell

The material that covers old wires can come off over time. Many times this is a result of aging and other environmental problems in the past. If you notice that you get a constant burning smell in your home, it’s an indication that some of the wiring is likely missing the covering material. This can be very dangerous and result in a house fire. Getting your wiring replaced as soon as possible is highly recommended.

Discolored Outlet and Light Switch Covers

If the wiring at your outlets and/or light switches has a loose connection, it can create sparking and arcing of the electricity. You may not notice these sparks, but they can create small fires that actually char the outlet or light switch cover. If you notice that your covers are showing discoloration such as charring, it’s time to replace the wiring throughout your home.

Flickering Lights

While we’ve all experienced problems with flickering lights due to a defective light bulb, that’s not always the root cause. Sometimes faulty wiring can be to blame for flickering lights in your home. It’s a good idea to consult an electrician if you’re having this problem so they can identify the root cause of the issue.

Persistent Circuit Tripping

If your circuit breakers are tripping frequently, there may be a few different reasons. It could be something simple and benign, like you’ve overloaded a circuit. This can be easily fixed by moving things around. If your house doesn’t have enough circuits to handle all of your appliances, you may just need an upgrade. However, frequently tripped breakers may also mean that wires in your home are short circuiting and need to be repaired immediately. Otherwise they can be a serious fire hazard.

Buzzing Sound

When you plug appliances into your home, you may notice that there is a buzzing sound. This sound is an indication that something isn’t working properly in your electrical system. You should consult a professional to identify just what the problem is. In some cases, it may be down to unsuitable wiring to handle the load the appliance needs to work effectively. This will require rewiring of your home with a larger gauge wire.

You Have Aluminum Wiring

In the past, aluminum was used as a go-to material for wiring. Since then, it has been deemed to be an ineffective metal that causes unnecessary faults. If you know for a fact that you have aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring, you should get your house rewired for safety reasons.

While rewiring your existing home can be a big undertaking, it’s necessary sometimes. The above six situations are ones that can possibly require you to replace the wiring in your home. If you’re not overly familiar with wiring, you should always consult an expert to assist you.

Addy Reeds is a freelance writer from Eugene, Oregon. She discovered her passion for journalism while attending the University of Oregon. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @addyreeds1; https://www.facebook.com/addy.reeds