Electrical Rewiring?

We are renovating a brownstone including replacing our electrical panels and adding outlets. Our contractor insists there is no need to rewire the existing outlets. His position is that the wires are already copper and he only needs to replace the outlets faceplate. He is going to add wiring on other walls where we need additional outlets and will also add wiring to the ceiling where we will add new lighting fixtures. Should we push to have existing wiring replaced? Is this a safety issue? Thanks!

skylightseeker

in Renovation 11 years and 2 months ago

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Roark | 11 years and 2 months ago

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dont listen to rick if its old wire it should be replacred soup to nut but never disturb it certainly dont tug on it the last thing you want is a short hidden somewhere . if it only thirty or so years old its fine if it wired properly

Rick | 11 years and 2 months ago

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Interesting, your electrician wants to do less work? I gather you’re asking us about this probably because your gut says it should be replaced. Sure, the copper in the old wiring is fine, it’s the dried out exposed old cloth insulation that is really the problem. If you have some slack in the cable you can cut it back and get some fresh cable and insulation and it will probably be fine. However, if you’re doing all this work anyway, I say replace it.

skylightseeker | 11 years and 2 months ago

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Thanks, very informative. Going to arrange a meeting with the electrician.

daveinbedstuy | 11 years and 2 months ago

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Like steve says, it depends upon how old it is. If its Romex or BX cable from the past 30-40 years it’ll be fine. Romex didnt meet code but its still fine

thetinkerswagon | 11 years and 2 months ago

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which contractor said this? I would put the question to the electrician. Now, in so far as the old wiring, the insulation on that wiring becomes brittle but only at the ends. when I change outlets in my house and crack the insulation, I slip a heat shrink sleeve over the few inches of broken insulation. that said, if I had the money, i would rip all of the 1920’s wiring out of my house and would put all new wiring in. there is no point in doing 1/2 a job as it will cost more to correct later. also, if you happen to have a break in that old copper, it can become a hot spot and yes, that is a safety issue. Steve