Introduction
Rewiring a home may seem like an intimidating task, but with some planning, the right tools, and safety precautions, I was able to rewire most of my home with just a screwdriver. By doing it myself, I saved thousands of dollars in electrician fees. In this article, I will walk through the complete process I used to safely rewire my home room-by-room with only a screwdriver.
Gather Supplies and Create a Plan
Before starting any electrical project, it's crucial to gather the right supplies and create a detailed plan. Here's what I needed to complete my home rewiring project:
Supplies
- Screwdrivers - I used both a regular and Phillips head screwdriver. Make sure the heads fit screw slots properly.
- Wire strippers - To strip insulation off wire ends.
- Voltmeter - To test circuits. This is vital for safety.
- Junction boxes - For housing wire connections.
- Cable staples - To tack wires against studs/joists.
- Electrical tape - For insulating connections.
- Wire nuts - For joining wire ends.
Planning
- Circuit map - Draw out each circuit and label all outlets/fixtures.
- Photos - Take photos of existing wiring for reference.
- Safety gear - Wear gloves, glasses, etc. to stay protected.
- Circuit tester - To safely check that power is off.
- Building codes - Check local regulations before starting.
Shut Off Power and Remove Old Wiring
The first step is to shut off power to the room at the main circuit breaker. Test wires with a circuit tester to make absolutely sure.
Then, I removed any wall plates, outlet covers, switch covers, and light fixtures to access the wiring. I took photos of the existing wiring configuration for reference later.
To remove the old wires, I unscrewed each wire nut connection and carefully pulled the wires out of the boxes. Coiling the wires neatly as I removed them made cleanup easier.
Run New Wiring
Once the old wires were removed, I measured and cut new wires to run between each box. Here are some key wiring tips:
- Leave extra length so wires can be pulled tight later.
- Use cable staples to tack wires every few feet for support.
- Try to run wires along joists and studs for easier stapling.
- Keep wires separated from other systems like plumbing.
I ran the new wires through holes in the centers of studs whenever possible for a cleaner look.
Connect Switches and Outlets
With the new wires run between boxes, it was time to add the switches and outlets. Here is the process I followed:
1. Strip wire ends
I used wire strippers to remove about 1/2" of insulation from each wire end.
2. Connect wires
Following my circuit map, I connected the hot, neutral, and ground wires to the appropriate screws or ports on each outlet and switch. I made sure connections were tight and insulated with a wire nut.
3. Mount devices
Once wired up properly, I mounted each outlet or switch into its box and screwed it in securely.
4. Test circuits
Before moving on, I tested each outlet and switch with a voltmeter to ensure proper connections.
Finish Up and Restore Power
Once all wiring was complete, I buttoned up the room:
- Screwed cover plates back onto boxes.
- Re-installed any fixtures I had removed.
- Neatly bundled and stapled excess wiring.
- Secured all junction boxes.
Finally, I flipped the main circuit breaker back on and tested outlets and lights with my voltmeter.
After rewiring each room one-by-one in this manner, my home was completely rewired with just a trusty screwdriver! As long as proper precautions are taken, rewiring with basic hand tools is completely doable.
Conclusion
Rewiring a home seems intimidating, but with the right supplies, detailed planning, and safe practices, I was able to rewire my entire home room-by-room using only a screwdriver. By doing this major electrical project myself, I saved thousands in electrician labor costs. With some diligence and testing for safety, rewiring your home with a screwdriver is very achievable. Just be sure to do your research, create detailed circuit maps, and focus on safety first!