How to Determine If Your Home Still Has Knob-and-Tube Wiring

Knob-and-tube wiring was introduced to American homes during the first electrical installations in the 1900s and was used as recently as the 1970s. At the time of its introduction, it was considered revolutionary and state-of-the-art. Nowadays, however, with the electrical demands of modern life, knob-and-tube wiring isn’t really recommended anymore and may even cause various hazards, such as shock and fires.

In this post, Handyman Connection® of Carmel discusses how you can determine if your home still uses knob-and-tube wiring and if you need to replace it.

Finding Knob-and-Tube Wiring in Your Home

Normally, spotting knob-and-tube wiring in your home is simple. Just go down to your basement, and take a look at the joists. Should you happen to see white ceramic knobs nailed to it with electrical wires snaking through them, then that means there is knob-and-wiring present in your home. Don’t see it in your basement? Try going to your attic. If you still don’t see any signs, then chances are your home doesn’t have any knob-and-tube wiring.

However, just because you didn’t see any in the basement or attic doesn’t mean your home isn’t using it. There’s also a chance that the knob-and-tube wiring is hidden in your walls. If you think this might be the case, then the only way to determine it is to make holes in the walls with the help of a trusted handyman like Handyman Connection of Carmel.

Should You Replace It?

Knob-and-tube wiring can be hazardous when left in your home because it has difficulty keeping up with the electrical demands of the modern lifestyle. In addition, knob-and-tube wiring hidden in the walls can compromise an entire home. Insurance companies won’t even insure homes with this type of wiring. With that in mind, it’s highly recommended that knob-and-tube wiring be replaced to avoid any possible problems that may arise in the future.

To get started on fixing your home’s electrical issues, turn to Handyman Connection of Carmel for your home improvement needs. We are your number one provider of electrical and carpentry services. Give us a call at (317) 886-1747, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.