It goes without saying that older homes are likely to show signs of wear and tear, making regular inspections a good idea. It isn’t just age that can be an issue, however, which leads to a discussion on why you should call an electrician if your home was built in the 1960s or 1970s. During those decades, the challenge was the high cost for copper, which was traditionally used in household wiring. To control building costs, the industry made the fated decision to utilize aluminum, which was quite a bit less expensive.
It wasn’t until later that it was discovered that was not a good substitute. In fact, many homes have since been refitted because many electrical issues left the homeowners with little choice. Aluminum wiring was found to more easily loosen, resulting in arcs, overheating, and other issues with outlets and at the breaker panel. While the move was made away from aluminum wiring after that, it is still important to note that any wiring can become problematic with age. If your home is more than 30 years old, it might be a good idea to call an electrician to schedule an inspection and discuss if replacing the wiring is needed. It is far better to invest in that upgrade than to replace your entire home due to a fire.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to have an electrician inspect your home’s wiring, give us a call at Mister Sparky by Wise Electric Control Inc. You can count on us to provide an accurate inspection and provide an honest recommendation about the condition of your home’s electrical system, including all the exterior and interior components.