Are you noticing some electrical faults in your home? Don’t ignore it. This could be a threat to your safety and the electrical equipment in your home. When this happens, you may need an electrical panel replacement or a complete rewiring of your house to prevent electrical fires and other hazards. It is important to address these issues as soon as possible, and a new panel may be necessary for safety reasons.
However, rewiring a house is not as easy as it sounds. You’ll need the right tools and experience, or simply call a licensed electrician to ensure the job is done properly. To make it easier for you, we’ve prepared for you a complete checklist for rewiring a house in this article. We’ll also give you some insight on electrical panel replacement and the key differences between an electrical panel upgrade and rewiring a house.
Let’s dive in!
Key Highlights
- Rewiring a house is a complex task and you’ll need an expert electrician to determine if what you need is a complete rewiring or an electric panel upgrade.
- When looking for the right electrician for rewiring a house, it’s wise to check some important factors such as their license, insurance, professionalism, and customer reviews.
Comprehensive Checklist for Rewiring a House
Before you start rewiring a house, you need to understand the complexity of the job. Take your time to carefully assess the condition of your existing electrical system to find out if there are any potential issues. Here’s a checklist to help you know when your house needs rewiring:
1. Aging wiring that fails to meet the current electrical codes
If your house is old, there’s a possibility that your wiring is not up to the current electrical codes. You should not ignore this, as it can be a risk to you and your family. Sometimes, aging in your house wiring can cause deteriorating insulation. Rewiring a house may become necessary if the wires in your home are exposed, or the materials used in making them are outdated. In such cases, you might start noticing problems with your wiring.
When this happens, you need to quickly call a licensed electrician to help you inspect your electrical system to make sure it meets the current safety standards. They can also help you rewire your house if your wires are outdated or unsafe to prevent electrical hazards.
2. Frequent circuit breaker trips indicating overloaded circuits
When the electrical loads in your home exceed the capacity of your circuits, they can get overloaded and this will cause your circuit breakers to trip often. If you don’t address this issue at once, it can lead to overheating and potential electrical fires. In such cases, rewiring a house and installing additional circuits is what you need to distribute your electrical load more evenly and prevent your circuits from overloading and causing hazardous fuses to blow in your old panel.
3. Evidence of charred outlets or discolored switch plates
Sometimes, the electrical outlets or switch plates in your home can get burned or discolored due to overheating, electrical faults, short circuits, or because they’re worn out. When you notice this, we’d advise you to hire an expert electrician to inspect your electrical system and address this issue promptly by rewiring the affected area to keep your home safe and prevent further electrical damage. Additionally, be on the lookout for evidence of rust or corrosion on the circuit breakers, as this can also indicate potential hazards and the need for rewiring.
4. Persistent burning smell from unknown sources
Your safety and that of the equipment in your home should be your top priority. That’s why you should address persistent burning smells in your house. There are several issues that can cause burning smells in your home and you’ll feel worried, especially when you don’t know where it’s coming from.
Sometimes, it could be a spark in your electrical panel or overheating of your electrical components. No matter what the cause may be, you need to call a reputable electrician to inspect your electrical system and find the cause of this unusual burning smell.
If the problem requires rewiring a house or getting an electrical panel replacement, they have the right skills and tools to complete the job effectively, helping you eliminate the risk of electrical fires and providing you with peace of mind.
5. Flickering or dimming lights as a sign of inadequate power supply
If the power supply in your home is low, you’ll notice that your lights start to dim or flicker. This is because your electrical system can no longer sustain the electrical demands of your modern appliances and equipment. In such cases, rewiring a house or an electrical panel upgrade is the right choice to supply enough power, ensure your home’s safety and prevent your electrical devices from getting damaged due to inadequate electrical work.
6. Lack of ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in wet areas
As a homeowner in California, you need to make sure that your home has ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, especially in wet areas in your house such as your bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor spaces.
A GFCI outlet helps you to provide an extra layer of protection against electrical shocks by quickly shutting off your power supply anytime you have a ground fault. So, if your house doesn’t have GFCI outlets in these areas, it may be time to consider rewiring a house. Call an expert electrician to handle the rewiring process. They’ll ensure your electrical system is safe and complies with the building codes.
Understanding electrical panel replacement
Here’s something you should know: an electrical panel replacement is important when rewiring a house. Your electrical panel, which is also known as your circuit breaker panel, helps you to distribute power in your home.
Sometimes, your electrical panel can get faulty or outdated and this can lead to serious electrical issues if you don’t fix or replace them when necessary. When this happens, you should hire the right electrician to help you fix the issue or install a new electrical panel, with the help of your local utility company, that meets the current panel standards for older homes to keep your home safe.
How to Choose the Right Electrician When Rewiring a House
When rewiring a house, there are things you should consider, and one of them is choosing the right electrician to get the project done effectively. That is why we’ve listed some tips to help select the right electrician for the job.
- Research and gather recommendations: If you’re looking for the right electrician or contractor nearby, you can start by getting some recommendations from your friends, family, or neighbors who have hired their services and are satisfied with their work. When you get these suggestions, ensure you check their credentials and online reviews before making a choice.
- Verify licenses and insurance: If you hire the services of an electrician who is not properly insured or licensed is a big risk. You might have to pay an extra charge if an accident or damage occurs in the process. So, make sure the electrician or electrical contractor you choose is licensed and insured. This will give you peace of mind, knowing that your upgrading or rewiring project is in safe hands.
- Get multiple quotes: We’d advise you to get multiple quotes from different electricians or electrical contractors. This will allow you to compare their prices, services, and timelines to help you make an informed decision.
- Communication and professionalism: You should pay attention to details when hiring the right electrician. Check their professionalism and communication. A reputable electrician will be responsive, listen to your needs, communicate clearly throughout the project, and answer all your questions.
A few Words From the Experts
Rewiring a house is a crucial project if you want to ensure the safety and efficiency of your electrical system. Sometimes your wires or electrical panel can get faulty and you’ll need the right electrician to get them fixed or replaced. With their tools and skills, they’ll make sure the job is done properly. That’s not all. They can also help you to diagnose your electrical system to determine if you need an electrical service upgrade, complete wiring, or an electric panel replacement to improve your energy usage for a long time, especially if you have a large home with lots of additional circuits.
If you are looking for an expert electrical contractor in California or nearby, Frontline Pro Services is the right choice for you. Our service areas are in Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Orinda, Danville, Martinez, Vallejo, Pittsburg, Hercules, Pinole, Antioch, American Canyon, Fairfield, and Suisun. Our team of experienced electricians prioritize the safety of our clients, which is why our services are top-notch and affordable. Whether you need a complete rewiring a house or an electrical panel upgrade, we can help you inspect your electrical system to determine the best solution. Let’s help you keep your home safe—reach out to professional electricians now!
