Knob & Tube Wiring Removal in Saco & Southern Maine

If your home was built before 1950, there’s a good chance it still has knob-and-tube wiring hiding in the walls and attic. This type of wiring was standard for decades, but it wasn’t designed for how we use electricity today. It has no ground wire, the insulation breaks down over time, and it’s not safe to bury under modern insulation.

Bouchard’s Electric has been removing knob-and-tube wiring from homes in Saco, Biddeford, and Southern Maine since 2001. We replace it with modern copper Romex wiring that’s grounded, rated for today’s electrical loads, and up to current NEC code.

Why Knob & Tube Wiring Is a Problem

Knob-and-tube wiring was fine when homes had a few light bulbs and a radio. But modern homes run air conditioners, space heaters, microwaves, computers, and dozens of other devices that pull far more power than this wiring was designed to handle. Overloaded knob-and-tube circuits are a fire hazard.

The other big issue is insulation. Knob-and-tube wiring was designed to dissipate heat through open air. When blown-in insulation covers it — which happens in almost every older home that’s been weatherized — it can’t cool properly and becomes a fire risk. Many home insurance companies in Maine will either refuse to insure homes with active knob-and-tube or charge significantly higher premiums.

How We Remove It

We trace every knob-and-tube circuit in your home, disconnect it from the panel, remove accessible sections, and replace everything with new copper Romex wiring. We add grounded outlets throughout, install arc-fault and GFCI protection where required, and bring your home up to current code.

We know how to work in old plaster-and-lath walls and balloon-frame construction without tearing your house apart. When we’re done, you’ll have safe, modern wiring and your insurance company will be happy.