While rewiring a house might seem unnecessary, it can be very beneficial. Asides avoiding lurking electrical dangers in a home, a rewiring will increase the value of your property on the market. Most old homes with a lifespan of over 25 years were wired in accordance with the regulations in place at the time of their building.
Today, a lot of reviews have been made, positions changed, and more efficient wiring methods implemented. By rewiring your home, you are updating your building’s standard to suit the standing regulations, and this is nothing short of beneficial.
What Does It Take To Rewire my House?
Rewiring means that the old wires need to be taken away and since most of these wires are rooted under floors, behind walls, and inside roofs, some parts of the building might need to be torn down, making the job quite messy.
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There are two stages of rewiring;
Stage one: Replacement of cables, back sockets, wires, and circuits.
Stage two: Fitting of lights on installed switches and sockets and connection of all wiring to the fuse box for live contact.
If there is an ongoing renovation in your building, and you intend to rewire the house, it should be done before any form of cosmetic work is done on the building, precisely, during the plumbing stage. Here is what to expect during a rewiring session;
- Installation of new cables
- Changing of back boxes on switches
- Rewiring light circuits.
- Rewiring the telephone and television sockets.
- Addition of switches and sockets, or changing their positions if needed.
- Incorporation of modern and more efficient technology if needed.
Benefits of Rewiring
As stated earlier, rewiring comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some of these benefits:
- A safer and more efficient electrical system
- Reduced risks from the numerous accidents that can accommodate faulty wiring.
- Your building becomes electrically safe according to current regulations
- The value of your home is increased.
- You get to make new choices of socket and switches positions
- Installation of smart technology.
How Often Should Rewiring Be Done?
Unlike RCD inspection, rewiring does not need to be done so frequently. There is no constant time frame for a rewiring, but generally, houses above 25 years might need to either update their wiring or opt for a total rewiring of the home because chances are after 25 years, updates might have been made to safety regulations.
When Does Your Home Need Rewiring?
The more common reason is when it is outdated and no longer in line with authorized safety rules. However, there are other reasons that should make you consider rewiring, and they include;
1. Your electrics are unsafe: Once the appliances and equipment in your home are unsafe, you need to consider a rewiring. Neglecting this can be fatal, as electrical accidents are usually fatal.
2. If alterations have been made to wiring: When you add new wiring, then the existing wiring must be improved to fit the additional load of the new wiring.
How to Know When Your Home Needs Rewiring
So, what are the signs to look out for? Do you need to wait until an expert tells you to get a rewiring? Is the building going to ask for a rewiring verbally? Of course not! However, when you start noticing some or all of the signs listed below, then it is likely time to get a rewiring;
- Frequently blown fuses
- A constant, untraceable burning smell
- Discolored sockets and plugs
- Unstable lights keep flickering.
- Rubber or lead cabling insulation instead of modern PVC insulation.
- Your fuse box is very archaic (It has ceramic fuses, and the back is made of wood)
Wiring Regulations
There are standing wiring regulations strategically enacted for the safety of lives and properties. These regulations are reviewed and improved consistently to keep up with changing electrical conditions.
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The design, installation, testing, inspection, maintenance, and certification of all electrical work done in a building must be compliant with the rules stated in BS 7671 (IET wiring regulations). On the 2nd of July, 2018, the most recent updates were made to the wiring regulations, zooming in on getting energy-efficient performance levels.
We do not expect you to know all the wiring regulations that should be in place in your home. However, when you contact a licensed electrician, they already have the knowledge and skill, and will simply implement it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I do my own rewiring?
A: Absolutely not! In addition to being extremely technical, it can be very risky. However, when you contact an adept emergency electrician near me, they can complete the job. A lot of complications can arise during every electrical job, including rewiring, so it is best to avoid it.
Also, following regulations, as seen in BS 7671, only a registered electrician can conduct a rewiring on a building.
Q: How long does it take to rewire a house?
A: This basically depends on the size of the house. The time should be between 2 and 10 days, depending on a lot of factors. After a licensed team inspects the home, they should give you an accurate estimate of the time required.
Q: Can I remain in the house during the rewiring session?
A: Well, if you do not mind the disruption and mess, then you can. A good electrical company will try to make you as comfortable as possible. However, with minimal power, materials everywhere, and some parts of your floorings and walls exposed, if you have the luxury of seeking temporal accommodation during this time, it will be a plus.
Q: How much does the rewiring cost?
A: Of course, the cost is very much dependent on a large number of factors. Comparing quotes and costs will not be the smartest thing to do, as buildings differ. After an inspection is done, and a lot of considerations are made (the cost of materials, number of hours, manpower), you will get a detailed quote. However, for estimate’s sake, an average 3 bedroom with an average amount of accessories will cost about €3000.
Future-Proof Your Home Wiring
When considering a rewiring, you should also consider how the requirements might change in about 10 years. This is what future-proofing is about. With the advancement in technology, electrical requirements will also change. A good electrician will consider the future when installing the number of sockets, CCTV, smart technology, network cabling for swift internet connection, and home entertainment systems.
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Rewiring a house is a great investment that you should consider. Call us today on 020 71834006 if you need help with that.
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