This is a question we get alot from homeowners in Saco, Biddeford, and across Southern Maine. Many homes in the area were built 50 to 100 years ago and still have there original wiring. Heres how to tell if its time for a rewire.
Signs Your Home Needs Rewiring
Flickering or dimming lights — especially when you turn on appliances. Burning smell from outlets or switches. Discolored or warm outlet covers. Breakers that trip frequently. Two-prong outlets with no ground wire. Visible knob-and-tube wiring in the attic or basement. Cloth-wrapped wires instead of modern plastic-sheathed Romex. Your home was built before 1960 and the wiring has never been updated.
What is Knob-and-Tube Wiring?
Knob-and-tube is the old porcelain insulator style wiring used from the 1880s through the 1940s. You can usually spot it in the attic or basement — white ceramic knobs holding wires against the framing, and ceramic tubes where wires pass through joists. Its not automatically a fire hazard but it wasnt designed for modern electrical loads. And if somebody blew insulation over it, that IS dangerous because knob-and-tube needs air space around it to dissipate heat.
What About Aluminum Wiring?
Homes built in the late 1960s and 1970s sometimes have aluminum wiring. Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, which can cause loose connections over time. Loose connections mean heat, and heat means fire risk. If your home has aluminum wiring, there are fixes available — either a full rewire or special connectors called COPALUM crimps.
Get a Free Assessment
If your not sure about the wiring in your Saco or Biddeford home, call Bouchard's Electric at (207) 590-3528. We'll come out, take a look at your wiring and panel, and tell you honestly whether you need a rewire or not. No charge for the assessment.