Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeke
I'll have to add in that old houses that have knob a tube weren't ready for microwave ovens and plug strips with TV's and all the peripherals. Kitchens and baths should be rewired along with outlets for heavy draw. So, really, look 171 is right. I just tend to be conservative.
I don't want to give bad advice. Now if we were talking about aluminum wiring, I'd be more afraid. That needs to be pigtailed with copper and anti-oxidant paste.
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Lots of older housing stock where I live & sell real estate, and old wiring is becoming more & more of an issue.
In the past month I've had to explain to two clients that their homes have wiring that is uninsurable. It's hard for them to grasp, when they have lived with it for decades without issues, and in one case they were under the impression that their knob + tube was "completely updated" because it was all GFCI protected (that was typically the insuarance co requirement 10+ yrs ago). Now the house has to be rewired to the tune of 15k (plus drywall, paint) before a buyer can get insurance. Sure is fun to deliver THAT news.
Even 1950's ungrounded romex is becoming an issue, and will likely be lumped in with knob + tube in the next few years.
Aluminum? Some insurance co's won't touch it at all anymore, even if it's been properly pigtailed to copper by a licensed electrician.
Safe or not, I'd swap out any outdated wiring while you've got the chance.