The Hidden Dangers of an Older Home

5 Ways Old Wiring Can Be a Residential Fire Hazard

1. Old Insulation on Wire

Frederick County Maryland with its rich history has many beautiful residential homes built more than 25 years ago. With their engaging architecture and stories to tell, these well-built structures may also hold a hidden danger. Aging electrical and wiring of older homes can be quite a fire risk factor. Concealed by plaster, drywall, and memories, it’s ‘out of sight, out of mind’, when it comes to thinking about the importance of updating your home’s electrical wiring – and exactly why your local residential electrician can keep you safe.

The years and the elements can very well have taken its toll on the insulation of your current wiring. Besides disintegrating or brittle breakage; nails or screws in the walls or animals having a snack, can also have caused damaged to the insulation around your wires. Therefore, the wire exposure is a risk that can lead to sparks and fire.

The years and the elements can very well have taken its toll on the insulation of your current wiring. Besides disintegrating or brittle breakage; nails or screws in the walls or animals having a snack, can also have caused damaged to the insulation around your wires. This wire exposure is a risk that can lead to sparks and fire.

2. Faulty Breakers

Designed to trip when a circuit is overloaded; circuit breakers are designed to shut off the electrical supply to prevent wires from overheating and being a potential fire hazard. They also trip when they become old, so be aware and if circuit tripping occurs frequently, it’s time to consult a qualified, licensed electrician.

3. Knob and Tube Wiring

This is an outdated electrical system design that still exists in many older homes. The different between this design and today’s updated wiring is that it lacks a ground wire; which is an important safety feature, since if something goes haywire in a home, the ground wire offers a path to offload the excess electricity. When knob and tube wiring has been compromised by the passage of time, chewed on by rodents, or other issues, it is often the leading cause of electrical fires according to insurance companies.

4. Low Amp Wiring

Modern appliances and home office equipment have higher amp requirements than that of days gone by. This is another high electrical fire risk when old wiring is rated for lower amps. Circuit overload can result, and an electrical fire can follow. One solution to this wiring issue can be to replace breakers with arc faulty circuit interrupters.

5. Imperfect Electrical Design

Depending on the age of your home or dwelling, imperfect or poor electrical design can, therefore, be another major issue for older electrical systems. Some systems may have been designed to meet codes that were implemented well over 50+ years ago. Codes and electrical standards have vastly changed since and this is definitely a reason to consult with an experienced and licensed residential electrician that can inspect your design and make sure you aren’t at risk of a fire.

Let a Residential Electrician Near You Worry About It

Protecting your home and family is paramount and we at the O’Grady Companies know this and want to help keep you safe. With years of residential electrical experience of homes old and new, as well as commercial establishments, we should be your first call and with our expertise, you’ll know you made the right call!