How Often Do You Need to Rewire Your Home?

One of the responsibilities of a property owner is to maintain the electrical system in good working condition. Old electrical wiring can make the system trip frequently, blow fuses, spark an electrical fire, or cause electrical shock.

Therefore, it is crucial to keep an eye on old electrical wiring to check for possible problems and prevent electrical fires.

A total rewire can carry a significant cost; however, it comes with several benefits. It keeps you, your loved ones and your property safe. In addition, it boosts the value of your property.

Let’s dive into this one!

How often should you rewire a house?

A good rule of thumb is that if your electrical unit is more than 25 to 30 years old, you may need a partial rewire or a full rewire of your property. It ensures that you meet all current building regulations related to electrical safety.

An electrical inspection ensures that everything is still safe and functional. A professional electrician can evaluate whether your home requires new wiring and the average cost involved to complete it. 

If you own your property, you should have an inspection every 10th year. In the case of a rented property, you should have one every 5th year.

If you are thinking about buying an older house, you need to make sure that the electrical wiring is safe beforehand. Older homes which have never been rewired may have an outdated wiring system which needs replacement.

An electrical expert can inform you on the amount of work needed to bring the existing wiring set-up to the current standard. They will also estimate the rewiring cost, which may play into your decision when it comes to purchasing the property.

A complete house rewire increases electrical safety by installing high quality modern systems. A full house rewire may be accompanied by replacing light switches, and/or installing a new breaker/fuse box. If you are selling your property, a recent home rewire makes it more appealing to potential buyers.

Any electrical installation must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before deciding whether or not to rewire. An EICR provides you with the most up-to-date information on the state of your electrical installation. It also gives the electrical professional the necessary data to determine whether to rewire or not.

Signs that you may need to rewire

Here are some of the signs that your electrical wiring is outdated and needs replacement:

1. A burning smell near an outlet (or any electrical equipment). If this occurs, make sure you turn off the circuit breaker for that area of the house before you unplug an appliance. 
2. An overloaded electrical circuit can lead to overheating or short-circuiting, which can lead to a fire risk.
3. Flickering lights can be an indication of frayed wires.
4. Discoloured light switch plates could signal a cycle of overheating of the plastic plate and electrical connection.
5. Electrical shocks when plugging in appliances indicate a faulty earth grounding connection.
6. A circuit breaker can trip when there is an overload of power on one circuit. Frequent circuit breaker tripping may lead to an active wire coming into contact with the ground wire, which is very dangerous.
7. Old electrical set-ups and insulation deteriorate over time. Older wiring may not have been set up to accommodate modern electrical usage, and may risk becoming overloaded. 

As most electrical cables are concealed behind walls, and in the loft area, it is not easy to notice the signs of old wiring. This is why it is important to get an electrical professional out to inspect your home. 

What does rewiring involve?

Electrical cables run beneath the flooring and through the walls of your building. Therefore, rewiring will include lifting the flooring and drilling into the walls.

Generally, the following steps are involved in a full rewire:

1. New cabling is installed.
2. New back boxes are fitted to switches and sockets.
3. Television and aerial telephone sockets are rewired.
4. Power and lighting circuits are rewired.
5. If necessary, light fixtures, switches, and sockets are added or moved.
6. If necessary, modern electrical technologies are incorporated, such as automatic lighting and speaker cabling.

In most cases, replacing old wiring and replacing it with new wiring is performed in two stages:

First stage

• Replacing all the cables, circuits, and back boxes.

Second stage

1. Lighting fixtures and face plates on switches and sockets are installed.
2. To make things work, all wires are linked to the breaker/fuse box.

Benefits of rewiring your old electrical wiring

The major reason for replacing existing wiring is improving electrical safety of your home. However, there are also functional advantages for home rewiring. Rewiring is especially relevant to those living in an older home. 

Advantages of rewiring your property:

1. Peace of mind knowing that you have invested in a more secure electrical system.
2. Lower chance of electrical fires.
3. Ensures that your electrics meet standards in compliance with the building regulations of your area.
4. Increases the value of your property.
5. You have complete control over all new fixtures and equipment.
6. You have the option of deciding where new plugs and switches will be installed.
7. You also have the option of installing additional power outlets if required. 
8. Improves the energy efficiency of your property.
9. Replace old technology with new ‘smart’ technology.

Hire an expert

Replacing existing electrical wiring is a complicated job, therefore it is essential to hire a qualified electrician for your home rewiring for both you and your family’s safety. 

Poorly installed electrical wiring can compromise the safety of your home and endanger you and your family. If a poor rewiring job results in damage to your home or causes an electrical fire, insurance companies may also refuse to cover it. 

If you require any expert advice on your electrical wiring then look no further than Prime Time Electricians. Our team of highly qualified residential electricians offer professional electrical services, including entire home rewiring. 

Prime Time Electricians provide fast, friendly and expert electrical repairs in Perth, whether it be faulty wiring, tripped circuits, or malfunctioning electrical outlets.

If you need qualified and reliable electricians for electrical work for your home or business, call us on 1300 356 200. You can also send an email to hello@primetimewa.com.au.