Category: Wiring

Complete Burbank House Rewire

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electrician rewiring a house in burbankThe thought of a complete home rewire can be worrying to some homeowners. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

A complete Burbank house rewire can be less complicated than you think. Hence it’s important to know what to expect and how you can make this project go as smoothly as possible.

When would you need a Burbank house rewire

Regardless of where you live, the factors that make a complete house rewire necessary are always the same. And in most cases, it’s impossible to realize your home needs rewiring until certain problems occur or you are undertaking projects like remodeling or addition.

You would need a Burbank house rewire under any or most of the following conditions;

  • Lights flicker when you turn on power demanding appliances
  • You have old-fashioned wiring like cloth-covered wiring, fuse boxes, knob-and-tube wiring, and so on.
  • There are signs of overheating at the socket outlets
  • You are remodeling, renovating, or adding a new room.
  • Breaker trips frequently or more than normal
  • You are adding new demanding appliances
  • After an inspection by a licensed electrician who confirms your wiring is worn out.

What happens during a Burbank house rewire?

  • Things can get messy around the house because home rewiring projects can be disruptive. There will be wires, drywall and ceiling been cut into, and much more.
  • Electricians often rewire in two stages. The first is fixing wiring and cables, and the second is installing everything connected to a socket or switch.
  • You won’t have power for a while. The electricians will shut off electrical power to the home for safety purposes while working.
  • You don’t have to leave your home while it’s being rewired. You can move from room to room or live nearby if you can’t deal with the mess.
  • It can take anywhere between 2-10 days to rewire your home depending on how large your home is.
  • Rewiring gives you the chance to future proof your home.

What does it cost to do a house rewire?

With a project like this, you might have already guessed it can dig deep into your pocket. The cost of house rewiring can differ depending on factors such as;

  • Your location
  • If the house is occupied or vacant
  • Size of your home
  • Age of your home
  • The electricians you hire

It’s possible to spend up to $3000 rewiring a home in Burbank and much less when the factors come into play.

What if my home is already rewired?

It’s possible to discover that your home has already been rewired and is still in good shape for your use. The best way to tell is to call an electrician for an inspection, but if you’re just buying the home, you can look out for signs such as;

  • Fabric covered wiring
  • Old-fashioned Fuse box
  • Old round pin sockets.

If your home does need a complete rewire, there are benefits in store for doing it. Rewiring your home with professional electricians helps you stay safe, fixes grounding issues, and gives you the capacity you need as a modern homeowner.

 

How to Understand, Recognize, and Remove Cloth Covered Wiring

Posted on | by K Hopkins

house rewire signs, outlet on fireCloth-covered wiring is a common subject that many homeowners end up faced with. It is often synonymous with old homes and you may not even know you have them. Read on for all you need to know about cloth-covered wiring in this article.

Understanding Cloth Covered Wiring

The simple description for cloth-covered wiring is electric wiring insulated or covered with cloth/fabric material. If it sounds old school, know that it is indeed old school and was the norm between the 1950s and 1970s. It seemed like a good idea at the time, especially since it was affordable and there were no better options.

After the decades of using cloth insulation for electric wiring, plastic insulation was discovered and refined and became the standard for all wiring needs. Cloth-covered wiring is now considered as an electrical hazard because of their many shortcomings.

Why cloth-covered wiring became bad news?

Using cloth as an insulator quickly proved dangerous because cloth material can deteriorate over time. The more brittleness and deterioration occurs, the higher the risk of an electric fire from the heat produce by wires.

Cloth is also an easy target for rodents and insects that can chew on it and expose the wires underneath.

In addition to these drawbacks, some cloth-covered wiring is further insulated with asbestos. Asbestos is known as a dangerous carcinogen to humans. Hence, like the cloth covering wears away over time, the asbestos breaks down and becomes airborne. This puts human lives at risk.

There is also the common issue of cloth wiring not being properly grounded. This presents even more danger to lives and property.

Recognizing Cloth Covered Wiring

  1. Check for knob-and-tube wiring. Knob-and-tube wiring was also widely used at the same time as cloth covered wiring. It comprises ceramic knobs and tubes used for running wires through the walls. This wiring is also considered outdated and unsafe. If you have knob-and-tube wiring, then you likely have cloth wiring because cloth was often used for insulating knob-and-tube wiring with a rubber outer covering.
  2. Check for the manufacturer. You can find the manufacturers or brand names of cloth wiring companies on the cloth-covered wiring. Many of these companies are no longer in business or have been sold off to other companies. Some names to look out for include:
    • Narax
    • Ammcoflex
    • Cirtrex
    • Dutrax
    • Cres-Flex
    • Hatflex
    • Essex
    • Triangle PWC
    • Southwire
  3. Call an electrician. If you are still in doubt or unable to recognize the wiring on your own, it’s best to call a professional electrician or home inspector. These experts will recognize cloth-covered wiring easily and will tell you if you need a house rewire.

Removing Cloth Covered Wiring

It’s good to know that not all cloth covered wiring spell danger for your home or building. The best way to know if you need to remove your cloth-covered wiring is to call an electrician. In cases where you need to remove and replace the outdated cloth-covered wiring in your home or building, this can only be completed by a licensed electrician.

Rewiring a Beverly Hills Home

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electrician pulling wires in beverly hills homeYour Beverly Hills home wiring is vital for electrical safety and functionality, and in some situations where it becomes inadequate, you will need to rewire your home.

Rewiring can be a major project, but with proper planning and the right professional, it can be completed successfully and quickly.

  1. Choosing a pro or going DIY

When it comes to any electrical works, you will always be encouraged to hire a professional electrician. Sometimes it might seem like an expensive option you can do without by going DIY. See the pros and cons of doing it either way to make the choice for rewiring your Beverly Hills home.

Hiring an electrical technician (PROS)

  • It keeps you and your home safe
  • The electrician obtains the permit
  • An experienced and licensed electrician is up to date on local codes
  • Inspections can be passed immediately and smoothly
  • Professional electricians have insurance that protects you from responsibility if anything goes wrong.
  • Cheaper in the long run
  • Rewiring by an experienced electrician is much faster
  • Get a quote on your house rewire from a professional

Hiring an electrical technician (CONS)

  • A costly option initially
  • It might be hard to find a dependable electrician

DIYing your rewiring project (PROS)

  • Saves you money initially
  • You can rewire your home at your preferred pace

DIYing your rewiring project (CONS)

  • You will spend time – as much as weeks- planning and doing the dirty work like running wires, cutting, drilling, installing, and more.
  • You will need to know the local electrical codes
  • Obtaining the permit falls to you and passing inspections can be tougher when you DIY.
  • DIYing your Beverly Hills home rewire puts lives and properties at risk.
  • You take responsibility for anything that goes wrong and often permits require that you must stay in the home where you DIYed for a year.
  • Insurance companies can deny your claim based on electrical works done as DIY projects
  1. Understand what it involves

Every homeowner’s needs differ in home rewiring. The only way to know what will be involved in your home rewire is to call an electrician for an inspection. You might need to replace your breaker with a bigger one if it is undersized. Older homes often used breaker panels of 60-100 amps, but modern homes use 100-200 amps and sometimes more. The reason for this change is that modern homes have far more electrical power demands/appliances than older homes. Also, safety codes have changed over time to accommodate electrical needs.

The rewiring project can also include replacing old outlets and fixtures, GFCI, and proper grounding.

Your electrician will inform you of any repairs, replacements, upgrades, and more relevant to your home rewire.

  1. What to expect when rewiring your home

Rewiring can be disruptive. It’s almost expected because you will have wires been run through the house, holes drilled in the walls, opening ceilings to give the electrical contractors access, and so on. It can get messy and the electrical power to the home will be shut off while the work goes on.

The good news is, the right electrician can complete a home rewire quickly and in a hassle-free manner. Contact us today for your Beverly Hills home rewire.

How Do Electricians Rewire a House?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electrician pulling wires through wallRewiring your home can be a tough or easy process depending on how you approach it. However, it’s an electrical project that must be done once it’s necessary. It’s good to wonder what’s involved and how electricians rewire a house. Read on as we explore this.

What’s involved in rewiring a house?

The first thing to know is that rewiring can be messy and disruptive despite how much your professional electrician tries to keep this smooth and easy. The walls will have to be drilled into, and the flooring lifted in some cases. Your electrician will;

  • Install new cables
  • Rewire sockets
  • Add or move outlets, switches, light fixtures, and so on.
  • Fit new back boxes on outlets and switches
  • Add wiring for a smart home if needed.

Also, home rewiring projects usually occur in two stages, which are;

  • Replacing circuits and back boxes, cabling, and wiring for the first stage.
  • The second stage involves installing lighting fittings, faceplates, switches, testing, and setting everything up for use.

How is a home rewired?

  • Step 1 – Get the required permits and codes

A rewiring project will need a permit from your local building department. The electrician will pull the permit while you cover the expenses.

  • Step 2 – Access the walls.

Depending on the condition of your home (lived in or vacant) the electrician will have to determine how he plans to access the walls of your home. After making this plan, he will figure out any new cable locations too. Most of the new wiring will have to be run through the attic and crawlspace before entering the walls. With a plan in motion, the electrician will shut off power to your home to begin.

  • Step 3 – Drill new holes and rewire outlets

It might become necessary to drill new holes to rewire outlets, switches, or install fresh wiring for future appliances. A professional electrician with skill can do this easily and protect your walls from excessive damage.

  • Step 4 – Determine the number of circuits

Chances are you are rewiring your home because it’s an old home. Most old homes lack enough circuits to meet the demands of modern homes. A professional electrician is updated and knowledgeable of the recent National Electrical Codes and can identify the appropriate number of circuits following these guidelines.

  • Step 5 – Replace your service equipment

Rewiring your home can mean changing the wiring in addition to replacing your service panel. It’s up to your licensed electrical technician to find out if your electrical panel needs to be repaired or replaced to suit the new wiring.

When is rewiring necessary?

Rewiring offers many benefits such as more power, efficiency, and safety in your home. But it can only be done when necessary. You can call an electrician to see if you need to rewire your home in any of the following situations;

  • You live in an old home
  • You are planning on a major renovation
  • You are adding new major appliances
  • Your electric system is unsafe

Signs of Electrical Problems in Homes in Southern California

Posted on | by K Hopkins

outlet on fire due to electrical problemYour electric system works 24/7 providing the power you need to make life easier. While you might wish this efficiency can last forever, this is usually not the case.

The good news is, despite how complicated electricity can be for inexperienced eyes and hands, there are signs of electrical problems you can look out for as a homeowner in Southern California.

Staying alert or watching out for these signs can protect your home from severe issues like electrical fires. It can also help you spend less on repairs or replacement when the problem is discovered on time.

Here are 7 signs to look out for.

  1. Unfamiliar or burning smells

Electrical burning smells can be hard to miss. This makes it easy for you to find the source by following the smell. If the strange or burning smell is coming from an outlet, your panel, or any other electrical installation stop using it immediately and call an electrician. Burning smells may indicate that damage or an electrical fire has begun. At the same time, new appliances often emit a strange odor when they are first installed or plugged in. This could stem from the finish, paint, or material used on the appliance and nothing serious.

  1. Flickering lights

Flickering lights indicate a power surge or damage to your electrical wiring. When your lights flicker, buzz, or dim when turned on, or if an appliance is plugged in, then your system likely needs an upgrade. You can call an electrical technician to inspect and determine the problem.

  1. Buzzing sounds

Buzzing sounds from your fixtures, switches, outlets, or appliances can be worrying. These installations should mostly operate silently. If you hear consistent buzzing noises call an electrician to fix the electrical issue.

  1. Frayed or chewed wiring

Pets, rodents, cheap products, and inexperienced handymen can lead to frayed or chewed wiring in your home in Southern California. This sort of damage is both a shock and fire hazard that should be handled immediately. Contact your electrical contractor in Southern California to inspect your entire wiring and replace any damaged parts.

  1. Warm or sparking wall outlets

If wall outlets or switches are warm to the touch, they may indicate loose or damaged wiring. Call an electrician to check and replace any damaged wiring.

  1. Circuit breaker trips

Your home breaker is designed to trip, to protect your system from overload or power surges. When these protective trips occur, it’s easy to switch your breaker back on and continue using your efficient system as normal. However, frequent circuit breaker trips are a sign of something deeper and dangerous in your electrical system. Call an electrician to confirm as soon as you observe this.

  1. Cheap or fake electrical products

You can find cheap electrical products for your home in Southern California anywhere. While the lower than normal price may seem enticing, most of such products are made with fake materials or not up to industry standards. They can go on to create dangerous problems or electrical hazards in your home. Always purchase quality electrical materials or products for your home.

New Home Electrical Wiring Ideas

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electrician installing new deviceA new home comes with the excitement of setting up things just the way you like them. You could be eager to try out different colors and textures; explore flooring options, window placement, and so on. Getting everything done to your liking is what makes your new home feel truly yours. But, in all your planning, it’s important to consider creative electrical wiring options that may come in handy sooner than you know.

Some electrical ideas to consider with a professional electrician include;

  • Speakers
  • Solar panels
  • LEDS
  • Electric fireplace
  • Towel warmers
  • Built-in WIFI
  • Security system
  • Remote access to some parts of the home
  • Indoor/outdoor home theater pre-wiring
  • Alarm systems.

 

Consider the cost

Figuring out your new home electrical wiring can mean looking at several options or ideas. This also means looking at a wide range of costs. The good news is, by making the right choice for new home wiring, you can always enjoy the value when you wish.

Generally, it can cost $100 per run of wire for a new home. The variation in price depends on factors such as the length of the run, the type of project such as rewiring, and more.

With a professional electrician, you can get reasonable prices for a dependable and reliable system.

 

Terms you should get used to

Electrical wiring can often sound confusing to homeowners. While you might not be able to grasp the entire idea of how home wiring works, it’s possible to get by with some basic knowledge. In wiring your home, a few terms to get used to now include;

  • F connectors – These can be described as screw-type connectors. They are useful for attaching video cables to DVDs, VCRs, and television.
  • Home-run wiring – With home-run wiring, you run a single wire/cable from a central location or panel to a specific outlet. It is the most common wiring scheme in modern homes.
  • Daisy-chain wiring – The daisy-chain wiring scheme runs a single wire from a central location or distribution panel to a series of outlets.
  • Category 5 wire – CAT 5 wire is a high-quality wire used for voice and data transmission.
  • Plain old telephone service (POTS) – POTS is the traditional style wiring used mainly for voice transmission, but it does not work so well for data transmission.

A few tips to guide your new home electrical wiring

You need the service of the right electrical technician to help with suggestions on the best ideas and providing an adequate wiring service. Some tips to help you work through the entire process of new house wiring are listed below.

Decide on a budget and time frame for the wiring you need. Some ideas may be good to incorporate now, and others can wait for later.

Ask for references from the electrician you hope to work with. Find out about his past work with them, how their wiring works, and if the electrician can provide your service.

Identify your wants and needs beforehand but also be open to suggestions on what works from your electrical contractor.

How to know if Cloth Covered Wiring is a Fire Hazard?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

house rewire signs, outlet on fireCloth-covered wiring is generally considered a fire hazard, and in some situations, it can make getting home insurance tougher than it has to be. If your home is an old home or you intend to buy an old home, it’s relevant to note that it might have cloth wiring installed.

Why cloth wiring is considered a fire hazard

Unlike modern wiring, cloth wiring is covered in cloth and this material tends to deteriorate over time. The cloth insulation can become brittle, damaged by insects or rodents, and so on. All of these lead to exposing the wires underneath and this can lead to fires.

It has also been discovered that cloth is a poor insulator unable to hold in heat from wires subjected to the demands of modern homes. Cloth-covered wiring may also lack grounding, which makes your electrical system unsafe. The cloth insulator may contain asbestos, which is a hazardous substance to breathe in.

Identify cloth covered wiring

If you are unsure about having cloth-covered wiring, you can look out for the cloth material or any of the following brand names;

Essex, Dutrax, Cablex, Cirtrex, Cres-Flex, KFlex, Triangle PWC, Southwire, Phelps Dodge, and Paraflex.

How to know if your cloth covered wiring is a fire hazard

Just having cloth covered wiring doesn’t spell doom for your electrical system. Some cloth-covered wiring are in good shape and with minor modifications can continue to serve your home. Here are the steps to take to know where you stand with cloth-covered wiring in your home.

  • Call the professionals

An experienced and licensed electrician is the professional you need to hire to determine the state of your electrical system. The electrical technician will confirm that the wiring is indeed cloth covered wiring and inspect the system to reveal any potential problems. This helps you save money on unnecessary repairs or nonexistent problems. If the electrician discovers that your cloth-covered wiring is a fire hazard, it saves you from future trouble and helps you take timely action.

What to do if your home’s cloth covered wiring is a fire hazard

After calling a professional to determine the status of your home’s electrical system, you could get good news or not so good news. If the electrician has discovered that the cloth covered wiring is a fire hazard or presents any other danger the best option will be to replace the wiring.

Rewiring your home will cost a substantial sum but it is well worth it for your safety and a reliable electrical system. The electrician you hire for this project should be both experienced and licensed. Agree on all details such as cost, time, and more with the electrician before starting the project. The cloth wiring should be replaced with modern wiring which often uses PVC insulators. The wiring should also be up to code.

Don’t wait until cloth wiring has caused electrical fires and put your home in danger. Call an electrician today for an inspection.

How Can I Run Electrical Wire through Finished Walls

Posted on | by K Hopkins

More often than you would like, the need to run electrical wire through finished drywalls comes up. You could be remodeling or just trying to move your outlet. The problem is, running electrical wires can seem like rocket science to DIYers.

The easiest way to fish wires and cables through finished walls is to contact a professional electrician. In the meantime, here are the steps to fish like a pro.

Start by turning off the power to the area you are working in. Next, determine the path your wire will take, including the start and end of the location of the wire. Clear the area if needed.

  1. Using a stud finder, check the whole wall cavity for obstacles. These include duct beams, ductwork, abandoned headers and so on that can make your task highly frustrating if unnoticed. Mark the spots and avoid cutting a hole over any studs.
  2. Try to determine what the obstacles are, as this may affect your work. For example, if you have insulation in the wall it can make running the wire difficult. You also don’t want to discover much later in the process that pipes to the bathroom go through that wall.
  3. Measure and draw the lines for the hole you will cut through the drywall. Be sure to keep the piece as you would need it later.
  4. Drill a hole on the other side using a flex bit drill. This tool also helps you drill the hole from several feet away. Don’t drill too close to the wood and ensure the hole is wide enough to insert your wires.
  5. Shove in your glow rod and attach your wire to the eyelet at the end. Working with this tool makes it easier to see in dark areas. In choosing glow rods you must know the variation in sizes come with distinct advantages. Thinner glow rods are more flexible, especially in making sharp turns. Thicker rods are good for working across long distances.
  6. Feed-in more than enough wire to ensure there’s enough to hook on to. Once you grab hold of the wire on the other side, keep up to six feet extra while hooking it.
  7. If you lose your wire and can’t seem to find it, use an inspection mirror and flashlight with a lot of patience to find it.
  8. If you have to drill through studs or joists on the wall, drill through the center at least 1.25 inches from its edge.
  9. When wiring through unprotected holes or fire blocks, ensure to seal up the holes after with a fire-resistant caulk product.

As we mentioned earlier you can call up the services of an experienced electrician to help you do this efficiently. If any problems come up during your process, contact an electrician regardless.

Should I Worry About Cloth Wrapped Electrical Wiring?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

cloth cover wiringThe wiring in your home has a lot to do with your home’s electrical safety and capability. A professional electrician knows how to not only ensure this but to also see that your home’s electrical wiring is up to standard.

Cloth wiring is a subject that comes up more often than you would imagine because there’s hardly any shortage of old homes. Read on as we discuss what it means and more.

What is cloth wrapped electrical wiring and how to identify it?

Cloth covered wiring is exactly what it sounds like – wiring covered in a cloth material. This type of wiring was used mostly in homes built before 1960 and before plastic-covered wiring became the norm. At that time, cloth covered wiring was the standard. It was efficient and served the electrical needs of buildings. Some still do so today. This era also made use of the wiring system knob-and-tube. Both cloth covered wiring and the knob-and-tube system are outdated and not up to the standard of recent times. In many ways, both pose risks and homeowners with old homes are always encouraged to confirm the wiring they have.

You can identify cloth covered wiring easily at a glance. You can also lookout for a knob-and-tube wiring system that may indicate cloth-covered wiring. For even easier identification, here are some common brands of cloth covered wiring. You can inspect the wires to see the brand name;

  • Essex
  • Cablex
  • Cres-flex
  • Dutrax
  • Kflex
  • Narax
  • Roflex/Romex
  • Ammcoflex
  • Hatflex
  • Triangle PWC
  • Southwire

The risks of cloth covered wiring.

  1. Prone to damage and wear and tear.

As expected with cloth material, cloth covered wiring can be chewed on by rodents and even damaged by insects. This can lead to exposure of the wire and electrical arcing, which is dangerous. Cloth wiring is also prone to wear and tear due to brittleness. The longer the wear and tear go on, the more the wires within are exposed. This then poses the risk of electrical fires due to electrical arcing.

  1. Insufficient insulation in modern times.

Proper insulation is vital to prevent heat from building up in the wires and creating a fire hazard.  Cloth covered wiring is not effective at providing proper insulation. In modern homes especially, this lack of proper insulation can be dangerous.

  1. No grounding

Cloth covered wiring alongside the knob-and-tube system lack safety features like grounding. While this doesn’t make the wiring unsafe to use, it means there is no ground protection for your appliances against power surges.

With cloth wrapped electrical wiring being outdated, not up to recent codes and standard, and posing risks, it’s right to worry about them in your home. Some cloth covered wiring may be in good condition and reasonably safe, but only a professional electrician can determine that. If you live in an old home or suspect you have cloth covered wiring, contact a licensed electrician for an inspection.

The best solution to unsafe cloth covered wiring is rewiring the home to standard.

What To Do If You Hear Electrical Humming Sound In Wall?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

hummingNo one likes to experience mysteries in their own home. When it comes to hearing a humming sound, it can be both confusing and even as terrifying as a scene from a horror movie.

Humming sounds can almost seem like they are coming from everywhere in the walls or nowhere in particular. But the fact is, if you have heard an electrical humming sound more than once, then it’s likely there and some electrical component is to blame.

We will discuss some possible causes of an electrical humming sound in the walls and what you can do about them. It’s also important to know that in most cases the electrical humming sound can be a warning sign of other problems.

  1. Mains Hum

The mains hum is either a humming or buzzing sound made by electrical wiring or equipment. The sounds occur at 60 hertz (for humming) and 120-180 hertz (for buzzing sounds). They are common with large appliances built with a motor. A good example is a refrigerator. Also, a magnetic field from outside the home can create and increase a mains hum in your audio systems. A mains hum is normal and harmless unless the hum becomes a loud buzzing sound. When this happens, you should contact your electrical technician.

  1. Circuit Breaker

There are a few reasons why a circuit breaker may cause a humming or buzzing sound in your electric system. These include an overload of current. When a circuit breaker conducts more electricity than it can normally handle, it should shut off. When it fails to automatically shut off the current overload develops an audible buzzing sound. The solution is to turn off the electricity to your home and replace the breaker. Improper or incorrect wiring to a circuit breaker can also lead to buzzing sounds.

  1. Wiring Problems

If your electrical wiring is the source of the electrical hum within the walls, it could be from a wide range of causes. Only an electrical technician can inspect this and point out the specific source of the buzzing sound. An example of sources of buzzing sounds due to wiring problems are improperly grounded wires.

  1. Light Fixtures

A light fixture can make a humming or buzzing sound if the bulb is faulty or being used on a dimmer. Sometimes the fixture type is also to blame. Fluorescent light fixtures are also known for often making humming sounds. You can fix this problem by changing the bulb or fixture. If the sound persists, then call an expert to fix the problem.

Since a humming sound could be an indicator of other issues in your electrical system, it’s best to call an electrician when you notice these sounds. The electrician can better identify where your electrical hum is coming from and why. They can also fix the problem.

Avoid taking up fixing the electrical hum in the walls as a DIY project to avoid accidents or harm to life and property,