- Q.When remodeling or adding to
an older home, what are some things to look for that
indicate the entire house’s wiring should be
updated or replaced?
A. If you see any of the
following conditions, you should think seriously
about rewiring: Any system without a
ground (bare) wire.
Cloth insulation, or any worn
insulation that deteriorates in your hands when you
move the wires. This leaves bare spots along the
wire, creating the potential for dangerous
shorts.
Less than 20-amp circuits in the
kitchen, laundry, or bathrooms.
Lights that dim as a result of an
appliance being turned on.
A fuse box, because it generally
indicates an obsolete system. Chances are good that
you need new wiring, a new panel, and probably a
grounded, or GFCI-protected, system.
The presence of branch-circuit aluminum
wire. If you find this, call an electrician.