Having a wire behind your drywall that is making your lights flicker can be annoying and concerning. As a homeowner, I've dealt with this issue myself and learned how to properly diagnose and repair it. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through the entire process step-by-step.
Finding the Source of the Problem
The first step is to isolate the circuit that is causing the flickering. Here are some tips on how to do this:
- Turn off breakers one at a time and see if the flickering stops when a particular circuit is switched off. This narrows down which circuit the problematic wire is on.
- Check lights in multiple rooms on the suspect circuit. Flickering across multiple lights points to a wiring issue rather than a problem with a single light fixture.
- Plug a lamp into outlets on the circuit and see if the lamp flickers when switched on. This confirms the issue is in the wiring rather than the lights themselves.
Once you've identified the problematic circuit, it's time to pinpoint the location of the bad wire. Things to look out for:
- Examine all switches and outlets on the circuit closely. Check for signs of arcing, discoloration, or burning which can indicate a poor connection.
- Look for receptacles or switches that are warm to the touch as this points to excess electrical resistance. Use an infrared thermometer to compare surface temperatures.
- Test connections with a multimeter to find junction boxes with abnormal resistance on the circuit.
Accessing the Wired Behind Drywall
Now that I've identified the approximate location of the bad wire, I need to cut open the drywall to access it.
- Mark the area to be cut with painter's tape in a square or rectangle large enough to work in.
- Outline the area with a drywall saw or jab saw to cut through the paper layer before using a utility knife.
- Cut through the drywall carefully within the outlined area. Make clean cuts to minimize patching later.
- Pry out the drywall with a pry bar and set it aside without breaking it.
- Pull back any insulation to fully expose the wiring.
With the wires exposed, I visually inspect the length of cable and connections for any damage. I also use a multimeter to test for continuity or excessive resistance along the length of the wire.
Repairing the Wire
Once I've found the specific problem area, it's time to repair it. Common issues include:
- Loose or corroded connections at outlets, switches or junction boxes. I remake these connections and clean with electrical contact cleaner.
- Damaged wire insulation exposing copper. I wrap problem areas with electrical tape.
- Staples piercing the cable need to be redriven to avoid contact.
- Nicked or cut wires are best spliced by adding a junction box with wire nuts.
For simple repairs, I remake any suspect connections with twist-on wire connectors. For more extensive damage, I may need to run new cable.
Closing Up the Wall
With the repair complete, I button the wall back up:
- I replace any insulation I removed and secure it in place.
- I use joint compound and tape to seal the drywall seams and screw holes.
- Once dry, I sand the patches to smooth them out.
- After wiping off dust, I apply drywall primer and let dry.
- Finally, I paint over my patches with matching wall paint.
Once everything is back in place, I carefully restore power and test the circuit. If the lights no longer flicker, I know my DIY electrical repair was a success! Taking the time to properly diagnose and fix that problematic wire behind the wall provides peace of mind and improves my home's electrical safety.