Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring
Adequate Experience of Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring
Residential rewiring of this type is not an easy task, but we like to think we’ve streamlined the process somewhat and our technicians are second to none. We consistently work with some of the largest residential builders in Canada and specialize in new builds. But, we never shy away from renovating an individual home or an office space. We excel at Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring method. The traditional method requires your home’s electrical connections to be routed through the wooden beams under your home or in the attic. To protect the wires, they are run through the beams inside of a ceramic knob. In the olden days, it was a solid technology that has proved its worth. The problem is that it can be difficult to patch the holes as you replace the electrical wiring over time. At Toronto Wiring, we’ve been Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring for over two decades. So, when we get to your home and identify the problem, we can hit the ground running.
No Quit Attitude
The major issue with knob and tube wiring is the lack of a ground wire. Failure to have a ground wire creates the likelihood of a shock hazard that could also become a fire. Many a times as insulation is added over the years, the wires, knobs and tubes are buried. As a result, it can be difficult to find them. At Toronto Wiring, our policy is to leave your home in better condition than before. We ensure to keep the work space clean and accessible.
Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring – What so you need to know?
As we mentioned above, knob and tube wiring is common in older homes and we see it quite a bit, so if you happen to encounter it and note that the wire condition is poor, we would be happy to come out and give you a detailed quote. Our Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring quote explains not only what we are doing, but also why we’re doing it. It will help you to have peace of mind knowing that the project will be handled in a professional manner. Our electricians will work hard to create minimum power outages during the Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring project. Rest assured! Toronto Wiring will follow all the Canadian Electrical Code regulations so that the job is done right the first time.
Installing Chandeliers
At Toronto Wiring, we can install fixtures that you have found and purchased on your own, or we can suggest some options and you can purchase the fixture and installation through us. Chandeliers and other light fixtures are not difficult to replace or wire, but depending on the weight, some of them will require more than just the support of a general electrical box and also an extra set of hands in the hanging process. Our goal is to provide the best customer service possibly during the Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring project, so if you’re not happy, we’re not happy. For this reason we take a lot of precautionary measure to make sure your old fixture is removed with care in the event that you want to relocate it or save it. Our process varies from home-to-home, but we try to remove the smallest amount of drywall possible and still make our fan brace sturdy enough to hold your chandelier. After one of our technicians installs your new chandelier, you will be hard pressed to tell that it had not always been there!
Installing Exhaust Fans
Exhaust fans can really come in handy in kitchens and bathrooms where unwanted vapors and odors can persist. Fortunately they are not difficult to install with a little know-how. At Toronto Wiring we have added duct work and exhaust ventilation for thousands of different exhaust fans and we have the all of the tools to complete you job efficiently and with minimal disruption to your household.
Toronto Wiring has been providing consistent home improvement services for over 25 years and with a dedication to homeowners Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring are sure to go smoothly and quickly. Should you have any concerns about electrical current and your safety, please don’t hesitate to give us a call to do the installation for you.
Installing Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can be nice decorative and functional additions to any room and should you find that your bedrooms, living areas or even your patio would benefit from a little airflow, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. The process for installing a ceiling fan is very similar to that of a chandelier with generally only one extra wire to attach so that you have access to a light switch as well as the fan. At Toronto Wiring we’ve seen all different kinds and no size or height is too much for our skilled electricians to install when Replacing Knob and Tube Wiring. We are also available to service existing fans and their electrical components should you require some maintenance.
Knob and tube electrical wiring is an old-fashioned form of wiring that is no longer used by electricians. However, if you live in a house that was built before the 1950s there is a good chance that your home will have been wired up using it. This type of wiring was very popular from the 1880s to the 1930s, and it was not completely phased out until the 1970s, when it became accepted that it could pose a serious hidden safety risk.
While many people who live in houses wired up in this way are happy to just ignore it, and may even get away with doing so as long as they don’t make changes to their electrics, if you are renovating your property or extending your circuits, it is a good idea to get the wiring re-done, for safety reasons.
What is Knob and Tube Wiring?
This form of wiring takes its name from the fact that ceramic knobs are used to hold the wires in place, and there are ceramic tubes used to protect wires that run through floor joists and wall studs. Instead of using three wires, there are just two – the black wire (hot) and the white wire (neutral). There is no ground, and this means that if there is a short circuit or excess current going through the circuit this could be very dangerous.
In a knob and tube wired system, electrical outlets have only two prongs, rather than three. Some electricians now use ground fault circuit interrupters which will trip if there is an imbalance between the black and white wires, and this improves the safety of the circuits to an extent.
What Should You Do If You Have This Wiring?
There is no need to be too concerned if you have this wiring and it has not been modified. While there is some risk of the insulation degrading over time, exposing bare wires, the biggest risks come when the circuits are expanded. Basic installations can support only 12 circuits, and if a contractor adds more then the system could become overloaded. If your house has been heavily modified over the years, then you should have your property fully inspected (not just looking at the sockets and wall wiring, but also the ceiling), and get any knob and tube wiring replaced as soon as possible, to reduce the fire risk that these circuits can create.
If you reside in a home that was built in the late 60s or early 70s, there is a high probability that the house’s wiring is composed of aluminum wiring and not copper wiring present in the modern day houses. Aluminum wiring in homes is filled with an interesting yet controversial history. Many people are always questioning its safety and the truth is that it is safe. All the same, it is important for one to be conversant with some of the few special considerations. When compared to copper, aluminum has a great similarity with copper but there are some few differences. Read through this article for an insight on some of the differences.
Softness
As compared to copper, aluminum is far much softer. Electricians and homeowners who had previously worked with copper discovered that it was extremely easy to cut, nick and even crush aluminum wiring while making the connections or removing the insulations. As a result, they had to be gentle while dealing with aluminum wiring. Damaged aluminum wires can create local hot spots that can result into a great extent of overheating.
Creeping
As electricity flows through a wire, it tends to heat up. An aluminum wire tends to expand more than copper once it heats up. This repeated expansion and contraction of the wire as it gets heated up and cooled down can bring about creeping of the wire beneath the terminal screws that hold the wire in place. The wire creeping can result into some loose connections in the wiring and at the end of it all overheating.
Rusting
When rust forms on metals, an oxide is formed on the surface. Contrary to steel where the rust is usually red, rust on aluminum is usually white in color. Rusting on copper wires is usually not a big problem because the copper oxide formed can still allow conduction of electricity. This means that rust on copper does not interfere with the conduction capabilities of the wire. However, when the rust forms on aluminum, the oxide formed is usually a poor conductor of heat and it interferes with the flow of electricity in the wire which can result into overheating.
Despite all that, aluminum wiring has many advantages in that it is very easy to work with, it is of a low cost and is lightweight. Aluminum can be used in many applications and thus should not be looked down upon.
Renovation of a property, particularly a residential property by the home owner, can be a very exciting experience; however, it can also be quite an overwhelming task if approached without any information. The first factor to consider is whether renovation is necessary or even possible. Most people will complete renovation on a home in order to add a room or extend the size of an existing area. Many will complete the task once the financial budget allows for it and, in fact, the renovation will improve the value of the property. In order to make the project count, you must be aware of all the criteria for a renovation and ensure that these requirements are met. This article will examine the issue of electrical permits and discuss why they are important.
Before beginning any construction project, it is essential that you have the correct permits available. This will ensure that the project to be completed complies with the safety standards of the state and local government. An electrical permit refers to the permit for an electrical system’s adhere to the safety standard for electrical construction. By obtaining this document you will also indicate that you are following all the codes of construction in the area.
Of course, it should be noted that there are times when permits are not always required. This may seem a rather relieving factor; however, it can be complicated as you need to show good judgment when deciding which instances will be permit-free. To determine whether or not your judgment is correct, it would be best to speak with your local official regarding the release of electrical permits. One tip: if you are constructing a major renovation project it is highly likely that you will need permits for all areas of construction, particularly the plumbing and electrical systems.
Electrical permits come in various degrees and it is often seen that you will not need a permit unless the construction influences the entire system. This means that a change in kitchen lights may not need to be regulated; however, one should always contact a local authority to determine whether or not this is the correct course of action.
As is mentioned, electrical permits are available in different degrees of regulation. This is part of the fact that permits vary based on the type of renovation being completed. Large structural renovations will undoubtedly require several permits with a full electrical permit. This is due to the fact that the structure will influence the full electrical system.
Obtaining permits may seem simple, but it is actually quite difficult (which is why choosing to complete construction without permits is so tempting). This is particularly true if you are applying for permits for the first time. To ease the process, it is highly recommended that you contact a contractor and utilize their services to obtain the necessary permits. If you would rather obtain the permits independently, it is useful to use advice from the contractor and not necessarily their services. Be sure to discuss all aspects of the procedure with the professional beforehand to ensure you do not make a mistake in the application. Any errors made can cause a delay in the permit application and the construction project.
In conclusion, it can be seen that obtaining the permits for renovation is an essential aspect because it indicates that you are adhering to the set safety standards. If you have the permits, you can be sure that the contractors working alongside you on the project will be operating according to local government standards.