When Should I Rewire My Home?

Many homeowners find themselves asking “when should I rewire my home?”

The signs a home needs rewiring can be hard to see. Most of a homes wiring is hidden away behind walls and ceilings and is easy to overlook. Hawtin Electrical are you local, Oxford based electrician and are here to help you decide if you should rewire your home. 

How often does my home need rewiring?

Your homes wiring in is constant use and, over time, will start to degrade. The average life expectancy for wiring is around 25 years. It is important to have your wiring regularly tested and inspected by a registered electrician so that you can be certain that your wiring is fit for purpose and does not present any hazards. This inspection is called an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EIRC). After the EIRC, they will advise you of the condition of your wiring and let you know whether rewiring is necessary. Hawtin Electrical can provide a comprehensive EIRC service to homeowners in the Oxford area.

Your home may also need rewiring as part of any major building works or renovations you have planned. This is to ensure your wiring is compliant with Building Regulations and can carry the additional loads safely. If you are planning any home improvements, it is worth consulting an electrician to see if a rewire would be recommended. Rewiring causes some disruption to your home and it is best done early in any remodelling process. No one wants to discover their wiring is not up to the job after they have installed their new kitchen!

Signs your home needs rewiring

There are several things you can look at in your home to help you decide whether your home needs rewiring. 

• Fuse Box: If you have an older fuse box with removable fuse wire that melts in the event of an electrical fault, you likely need to have your home rewired. A modern fuse box, or consumer unit, is much safer and will have a bank of switches that trip during a fault.
• Existing Wiring: Look at the wiring around your fuse box and any exposed areas. What colour is it? If it is grey or white PVCu insulated, then it is more recent. Older wiring that is wrapped in fabric or rubber indicates an elderly system.
• Sockets and switches: Where are your sockets located? If they are low on skirting boards and of multiple styles, then they have been in place for some time and should be checked out.
• Electrical problems: If you are suffering from flickering lights or other intermittent faults then your homes wiring should be checked by an electrician. Any fault can lead to a serious issue if left unchecked.

If you are in any doubt as to the condition of your wiring, call your local qualified electrician. They will be happy to check over your home and advise if you need a rewire. 
If you are in the Oxford area and your home needs rewiring, Hawtin Electrical are here to help. Our fully qualified, NICEIC registered electricians are highly experienced in rewiring homes and take your safety seriously. Call our friendly, professional team today.