Introduction
Rewiring your entire home may seem like an intimidating task, but with the right preparation and safety precautions, it can be done in a single weekend. As a homeowner, being able to rewire your house yourself can save thousands of dollars in electrician fees.
In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through all the steps needed to rewire a house from start to finish. I'll cover:
What You'll Need
- Tools and materials
- Safety equipment
- Helpful tips
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Turning off main power
- Removing old wires
- Running new wires
- Installing new outlets and switches
- Turning power back on and testing
Safety First
- Precautions to avoid electrocution
- Following electrical codes
By the end of this guide, you'll have the confidence to rewire your entire house safely and effectively in a single weekend. Let's get started!
What You'll Need
Before getting started, you'll need to gather the right tools, materials, and safety equipment. Having everything on hand ahead of time will make the rewiring process smoother.
Tools
Here are the essential tools you'll need:
- Wire strippers - to strip insulation from wires
- Voltage tester - to check if power is off
- Hammer - to remove old outlet and switch covers
- Screwdrivers - flathead and Phillips head
- Pliers - to bend, cut, and shape wires
- Drill - to drill holes for running new wires
- Stud finder - to locate studs to fish wires
- Ladder - to access the attic and ceiling wires
Materials
These materials are necessary for rewiring a house:
- Electrical wire - I recommend 12 or 14 gauge copper wire
- Wire connectors - to join wires together
- Electrical boxes - for installing new outlets and switches
- Conduit - to protect exposed sections of wire
- Circuit breakers - appropriately sized for wire gauge
Safety Equipment
Your safety is most important, so equip yourself with:
- Electrical gloves - insulated rubber gloves to prevent shocks
- Safety goggles - to protect eyes from debris
- Dust mask - to avoid breathing dust when cutting into walls
- Circuit tester - to safely check that power is off
Other Helpful Tips
- Shut off water supply - in case pipes need to be moved when running wires
- Take pictures before removing old wires - to use as a reference when rewiring
- Label all wires - makes it easier to match old wires to new ones
- Work with a partner - for safety and easier pulling of wires
With the right gear and preparation, you'll be ready to get started!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now let's walk through the entire process of rewiring a house from start to finish. Take your time and follow all safety precautions.
Shut Off Main Power
The first step is to turn off main power to the home at the breaker box. This shuts off electricity to the entire house.
- Set your main breaker to the "off" position.
- Test that power is off by turning on lights/outlets and using a voltmeter. Safety first!
- If you have a fuse box, remove all fuses.
Once you verify the power is off, you can start removing old wires.
Remove Old Wires
With the electricity safely shut off, you can start stripping out all the old wiring:
- Take out existing outlet and switch covers with a screwdriver.
- Remove the old outlets/switches and disconnect all wires.
- Carefully pull out the old wires from the boxes and conduit.
- Use a circuit tester to be absolutely sure wires are dead.
- Wear gloves and goggles for safety when pulling wires.
- Coil up and label wires as you remove so you know what they power.
Removing the old wires entirely will leave you with a clean slate for the new wiring.
Run New Wires
Now the fun part - running all new wires throughout the home:
- Plan your wiring routes from the breaker to each outlet/switch.
- Drill holes through studs to run wires between rooms/floors.
- Fish wires using guide wires in difficult spots like attics and walls.
- Use conduit to protect any exposed wire spans.
- Pull multiple wires per room so circuits can be separated later.
- Leave 12-16 inches of extra wire at boxes to work with.
- Carefully label each wire as you pull for reconnection later.
Take your time fishing all the wires - it's the most labor intensive task.
Install New Outlets and Switches
With the new wires run everywhere, it's time to install the new outlets, switches and cover plates:
- Anchor the electrical boxes into studs and feed wires into them.
- Use wire connectors to splice wires to outlets and switches.
- Match wire labels to ensure proper reconnection.
- Use screw terminals to secure wires to outlets/switches.
- Test outlets and switches with a voltage tester before screwing them in.
- Attach all cover plates once everything is properly terminated.
Follow all local codes for outlet and switch placement/installation.
Turn Power Back On and Test
You're almost done! It's now safe to turn the power back on:
- Double check all connections are secure and that there are no exposed wires.
- Flip the main breaker back to the "On" position.
- Carefully test each outlet, switch, light, appliance etc in the home.
- Use a voltmeter to verify proper voltage at outlets.
- Fix any issues before completed. You don't want to leave a tripped breaker!
When everything checks out, you can relax knowing your rewiring project was a success!
Safety First
Working with electrical wiring can be extremely dangerous if proper safety precautions aren't taken. Here are some tips for staying safe:
Avoid Electrocution
To avoid electrocution risks:
- Always double check power is OFF with a voltmeter before starting work.
- Wear electrical gloves and goggles at all times when handling wires.
- One hand in pocket rule - prevents current flowing across chest.
- Only work on one circuit at a time and keep others turned off.
- Never touch bare copper or wires together while energized.
Follow Electrical Codes
Adhere to all local building codes related to:
- Wire size based on amperage needs. 12 gauge is recommended.
- Only using approved materials like copper solid core wire.
- Not overloading circuits by balancing load across multiple.
- Having sufficient dedicated circuits for appliances like AC.
- Proper grounding of outlets, boxes, fixtures, and switches.
Following safety procedures and codes is crucial when rewiring a home. Don't take shortcuts - it's not worth the risk!
You Can Do It!
That covers everything you need to know to successfully rewire your house all in one weekend. I know it seems intimidating, but take it step-by-step and you'll be surprised at how quickly it goes. The money you'll save is well worth the effort!
The most important advice I can give is:
- Take your time and don't rush
- Follow all safety precautions
- Adhere to local building codes
- Label all your wires!
You've got this - soon you'll have safe, modern wiring that adds value and keeps your home safe. Good luck with your rewiring project! Let me know if you have any other questions.