You might need to rewire your house if you have an older home or want to upgrade your electrical system. Many systems do not meet those modern safety standards. Plus, if you have a lot of high-powered appliances, your current wires may not be able to handle those needs. However, ripping out your drywall to install wires is not always appealing. Is there a better way? While it can be a little difficult, there are a few methods to rewire without completely tearing down existing walls. Let’s take a look at these techniques.
Many Ways to Rewire Your Home
There are many older homes in Birmingham, and some of them have outdated or dangerous wiring systems. For example, knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring are safety hazards that can lead to electrical fires. Even with modern wiring, you may want to upgrade the system to handle the increased load from your electronics, HVAC, and smart home devices.
While taking down the walls is the most efficient way to accomplish this task, it can be disruptive and costly for those already living in their homes. Fortunately, there are several ways to upgrade your wiring without removing the drywall.
Fish Wires Through Existing Walls
When the electrician fishes the wires through the existing drywall, they don’t have to take anything down except to create a small hole as the access point. These points are usually near existing outlets, switches, or baseboards. Once the electrician has their point, they will insert fish tape into the wall.
Once the tape reaches the desired location, the new wiring is attached to the end. Now, the tape is pulled back through the wall, taking the new wire along with it. After the wire is fished through, it is connected to the switch, outlet, or panel. All the access points are patched and painted so that your wall looks as good as new.
Using Existing Conduits
One of the easiest ways to rewire is to use the already installed conduits in your home. With that, you have a clear path for wires. These access points are usually found in attics, basements, or utility rooms. Once the electricians find those spots, they will use fishing tape or a pull string to thread the new wires through the conduit. With this method, you will not have to cut into drywall. After the new wires are in place, they will be connected to the necessary circuits. If your home has this system, the rewiring process is much easier.
Surface-Mounted Wiring
Surface-mounted wiring is another option. This option could be an alternative for your home if the electrician cannot fish wires through existing walls. In this case, they might need to run the wires along the wall’s surface, which are enclosed in conduits or raceways. These components protect the wires from any damage, and they make them more accessible if you ever need a repair. Once the conduit is secured to the wall, the visible parts are painted or covered to blend with the existing decor. While it is more visible, this is a good solution for garages, basements, or utility rooms.
Attic or Basement Access
In homes with accessible attics or basements, upgrading wiring can be done with minimal disruption to the walls. In these cases, electricians can run wires across the attic floor and then drop them down into the walls to reach outlets or switches. This method works when the rooms are located on the house’s upper floors. However, wires can be run along the ceiling if you have a basement. After that, they are fed into the walls to reach outlets or switches on the first floor. Unfortunately, this method may require some drywall cutting. Small holes could be needed to feed the wires into the walls. There is good news: they are usually small and easy to patch.
Cutting Access Holes
While you want to avoid the removal of drywall, the electrician will sometimes need to cut into the material. In these situations, the electrician can cut around corners or behind large fixtures to create small spaces that are large enough to work through. Once the wiring is in place, they will patch the holes, sand the area, and paint them to match the surrounding wall. Once you look at it, you should not even see where the work took place.
No matter your chosen method, it can be hard work to rewire a home without taking down a wall. In these cases, you will want to work with a professional electrician with the right skills and tools to do the job. At Mister Sparky in Birmingham, our highly trained electricians are ready to handle any job, including rewiring your electrical system. Contact us today to learn how we can upgrade your electrical system without disrupting your life.