Why Rewire A House?

If you own an older home, rewiring it can be as much about you and your family’s safety as it is about upgrading how well your wiring functions. If your home is old enough, it also may not be up to modern safety Australian Standards. Worse, it could be deteriorating inside your walls, representing a real fire hazard. So, deciding whether to upgrade your wiring isn’t as simple as getting an estimate. You must also consider the price of not doing so.

The Dangers of Old Wiring

If you have an older home, there could be several issues that need to be examined:

• Too high of a load on a single circuit – This can cause fuses to burn out and breakers to trip. Typically, you’ll notice this happening when switching on appliances such as heater or hairdryer. In such instances, an electrician can add a circuit to split the load throughout the house, adding needed electrical capacity.
• Main switchboard and earthing system are not up to current regulations – It is absolutely crucial to keep this up to current regulations. This system is the first line of defence should something catastrophic happen to your power main, protecting both your home and your family from the powerful lines entering your home.
• DIY wiring – Perhaps most dangerous of all is when you get a house with DIY electrical work that has been done. You may even be unaware that DIY repairs/installations were made. If you have such wiring, it could pose a danger to you and your home. It could also be not up to Australian Standards, faulty, outdated, or incorrectly installed.
• Older electrical line materials and construction – Some older houses use outdated cabling consisting of a wire wrapped in a fabric sheath encased within a black steel conduit. If moved or worked on, it can pose a fire and electrical hazard, and can cause your fuse to blow.

Why You Need a Licensed Electrician

You should call a professionally licensed electrician when rewiring a house. It is both a matter of safety as well as legality.

Old electrical wiring will deteriorate eventually, leading to potential fire hazards, blown circuits, and electrical risks. These risks make it dangerous for an amateur to attempt to fix. Any mistakes could injure you, damage your home, or both.

It is also certain to make sure the work is done properly, in accordance with Australian Standards. Additionally, depending on the extent of your wiring and the area you live in, you may need a permit for your required work. A good electrician will be able to handle this on your behalf.

What Type of Work Will You Need Done?

Adding a circuit

A lot of older homes actually run on a single circuit. Unfortunately, modern homes have far more electrical devices than they used to. This causes frequent fuse burnouts or breaker trips. An electrician can add another circuit to your home and rewire lines within your home to run on it. This effectively breaks up the power load over more pathways, allowing for more electrical capacity in your home.

Adding a new fixture

Adding a new fixture can vary in pricing depending on whether you are adding a new fixture altogether or replacing a current one. It may be that additional wiring will have to be done as well. The project can be as large as adding a new power outlet or simply installing a dimmer switch.

Upgrading a switchboard

Older switchboards still run on fuses. An electrician can replace it to run off more modern breakers. Aside from the convenience of not having to replace fuses, a breaker system is more reliable, sensitive, and quick to shut down, meaning safer, for your family and home.

Main switchboard and earthing system

This is the most important system, keeping you safe from the extremely high voltage system coming into your house. It will need to be replaced if it has any damage or is simply too old to comply with Australian Standards.

Full rewiring

This is the most drastic and extensive project and will generally come with an estimate from your electrician before work begins. It may involve getting inside the wall to fully replace your electrical wiring system. When rewiring a house is necessary, a licensed electrician will be needed to make sure it is up to Australian Standards and done safely.

Advantages of Rewiring A Home

Rewiring your home has added benefits beyond just making sure your home is safe and compliant.

Your home’s value can be greatly impacted by the wiring within it. Aside from the obvious issues with selling a home not up to current standards, you can also use the opportunity to add modern flares such as dimmer switches or new lighting to your home. This is a relatively inexpensive way to add modern, elegant features to your home that homebuyers look for.

It also is an excellent opportunity to do some home decorating and redesigning. Depending on how much rewiring you need to be done, you may have access inside walls that isn’t usually there. That means a chance to add electrical outlets, install appliances, and new lighting or fans. Fixing up the walls as needed is already part of a rewiring expense, so it is an opportunity to add these other features without extra expense.

So, Find a Trustworthy Licensed Electrician

Keeping your wiring current, safe, and in good condition isn’t an expense as much as it is an investment. It will increase the value of your home. It will keep your home and your family safe. And it will positively impact the resale value of your home. It is also potentially dangerous and requires a professional to do it properly. So, make sure to choose a licensed electrician you can trust to get your project started.