Reasons you should have it removed.
Knob and tube wiring was the very first type of household wiring that was installed.
It utilizes only two wires per circuit, so that means that there is no grounding conductor, which in and of itself is a reason to tear it out.
There are several reasons that you should have it replaced, so I will list them.
1. It is very old, and consequently brittle.
2. These wires get hotter than modern circuitry, so you can not put insulation in the wall with them. That means you can't insulate your attic floor, or your outside walls. If you do, it is a real and present fire hazard.
3. The wires are most assuredly overloaded. New houses have an average of 20 to 42 circuits. When the knob and tube was put in, nobody ever envisioned the amount of electrical load you would be putting on them.
4.The boxes that house receptacles and lights, are too small. The insulation on the wires will inevitably decay and cause a short circuit.
5. The slightest disturbance of the wiring, such as replacing a light or receptacle, could itself be fire hazard.
6. The wiring is not color coded, so it is very likely that lights or receptacles are wired backwards.
7. It is a much greater shock hazard than new wiring.
8. This is a big one. Many insurance companies will not cover, or will cancel your homeowners insurance.
9. It really drags down the value of your house, many people will refuse to buy one that contains it.
10. Some electronics rely on a ground wire to operate properly, so you may be putting undue stress on your PCs.
11. The safety of you and your family is at risk.
The best thing to do, is find a qualified electrician, or contractor, and come up with a plan. Unless you are tearing out all the interior walls to expose the wires, it is pretty involved to replace it with new wiring. It may be easiest to replace one circuit at a time, because it takes a while to complete each section.
The walls can be "fished", meaning strategically finding ways to get new wires in, with minimal wall damage. It is not cheap, but in the end it looks like it was always there.
The other option it to use Wiremold surface conduit. Some people do not like it for aesthetic reasons, but it is probably less expensive. Once all of the knob and tube is permanently de-energized, you can insulate your house normally (and safely).
You will sleep better knowing your house wiring is not a ticking time bomb.
It utilizes only two wires per circuit, so that means that there is no grounding conductor, which in and of itself is a reason to tear it out.
There are several reasons that you should have it replaced, so I will list them.
1. It is very old, and consequently brittle.
2. These wires get hotter than modern circuitry, so you can not put insulation in the wall with them. That means you can't insulate your attic floor, or your outside walls. If you do, it is a real and present fire hazard.
3. The wires are most assuredly overloaded. New houses have an average of 20 to 42 circuits. When the knob and tube was put in, nobody ever envisioned the amount of electrical load you would be putting on them.
4.The boxes that house receptacles and lights, are too small. The insulation on the wires will inevitably decay and cause a short circuit.
5. The slightest disturbance of the wiring, such as replacing a light or receptacle, could itself be fire hazard.
6. The wiring is not color coded, so it is very likely that lights or receptacles are wired backwards.
7. It is a much greater shock hazard than new wiring.
8. This is a big one. Many insurance companies will not cover, or will cancel your homeowners insurance.
9. It really drags down the value of your house, many people will refuse to buy one that contains it.
10. Some electronics rely on a ground wire to operate properly, so you may be putting undue stress on your PCs.
11. The safety of you and your family is at risk.
The best thing to do, is find a qualified electrician, or contractor, and come up with a plan. Unless you are tearing out all the interior walls to expose the wires, it is pretty involved to replace it with new wiring. It may be easiest to replace one circuit at a time, because it takes a while to complete each section.
The walls can be "fished", meaning strategically finding ways to get new wires in, with minimal wall damage. It is not cheap, but in the end it looks like it was always there.
The other option it to use Wiremold surface conduit. Some people do not like it for aesthetic reasons, but it is probably less expensive. Once all of the knob and tube is permanently de-energized, you can insulate your house normally (and safely).
You will sleep better knowing your house wiring is not a ticking time bomb.
we are not like other electrical contractors
LaMorte Electric was founded by Brian LaMorte and Dawn Bricen LaMorte
to provide quality electrical contracting services to Ithaca (14850), Tompkins County and the surrounding
areas. All of our Electricians are highly trained, clean, polite, and prompt.
It is not uncommon for electricians to be rude, late, or turn down work
that they think is beneath them, we promise to treat you the way you
want to be treated.
If you would like to see our reviews of LaMorte Electric, click here.
Contact us by Service Request Form
Glossary -Good things to know
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If you would like to see our reviews of LaMorte Electric, click here.
Contact us by Service Request Form
Glossary -Good things to know
Need a Graphic Designer?
Check out Sunrise Studios Design at www.sunrisestudiosdesign.com
