How to Fix Your Home's Outdated Knob-and-Tube Wiring

I recently discovered that my home still has some old knob-and-tube wiring, which can be a safety hazard. Here is what I learned about fixing this outdated wiring in my house:

What is Knob-and-Tube Wiring?

Knob-and-tube wiring was commonly installed in homes built before the 1940s. It consists of:

• Single black wires run through ceramic knobs mounted to framing
• Wires are separated by air space instead of being bundled together
• Wires are connected by soldered tubes

The main problems with knob-and-tube wiring are:

• No ground wire - shock and fire hazard
• Insulation degrades over time, exposing bare wires
• Not designed for modern power loads from appliances and electronics

So I definitely needed to fix this outdated wiring in my home.

Dangers and Code Violations of Knob-and-Tube Wiring

There are several dangers that make knob-and-tube wiring unacceptable by today's electrical standards:

• Fire hazard - degraded insulation can allow wires to overheat and ignite fires
• Shock hazard - no grounding provides no safe path for faults/surges
• Insufficient for modern loads - lighting circuits may only be rated for 15 amps

In addition, the National Electrical Code considers knob-and-tube wiring obsolete and expressly prohibits:

• Extensions or modifications
• Running new wiring in parallel
• Insulating over knob-and-tube with batt, blown, or spray insulation

So I could not just leave the old wiring in place.

Options for Fixing Knob-and-Tube Wiring

I had three main options to consider for fixing the knob-and-tube wiring:

1. Rewire Entire House

• Remove all old wiring and install new electrical system
• Very labor intensive - walls and ceilings opened up
• Most expensive option but results in completely modern, code-compliant wiring

2. Replace Individual Circuits

• Leave wiring that's still functional, only replace problematic circuits
• Less invasive than rewiring entire home
• Still allows piecemeal upgrades over time

3. Use Electrical Junction Boxes

• Transition from knob-and-tube circuits by splicing them into junction boxes
• Allows installing grounded circuits from the boxes without removing all old wiring
• Lowest cost option but still leaves much of the old wiring in place

I had to weigh the costs, advantages, and drawbacks of each option for my specific situation.

Preparing for a Knob-and-Tube Wiring Repair Project

Before beginning any upgrades, I made sure to take these preparatory steps:

• Have an electrician inspect the existing wiring and provide quotes on repair options
• Research and acquire all necessary permits for electrical work in my municipality
• Clear access to attic, basement, and crawlspaces where wiring is run
• Turn off power at the main panel and use a non-contact voltage tester to confirm it's dead
• Take photos of all wiring to help with re-installation
• Determine budget and decide which repair strategy is most cost-effective

Safety Tips When Upgrading Knob-and-Tube Wiring

I kept electrical safety as the top priority when working on the old knob-and-tube wiring:

• Power OFF! Use tester to double-check
• Wear rubber-soled shoes and avoid conductive jewelry
• Only cut wires after verifying they are de-energized
• Cap or splice all dead wires immediately to avoid contact
• Keep all wiring connections secure and well-insulated
• Replace circuits one at a time to avoid overloads

By following proper precautions, I minimized the safety risks involved.

Hiring an Electrician for Major Repairs

While some minor DIY repairs are possible, I chose to hire a licensed electrician for the major wiring upgrades in my home.

Some key reasons why professional help was the right call:

• Electrician has the expertise to assess and fix knob-and-tube wiring
• They have the right tools and materials for the job
• Licensed electricians meet local permit and inspection requirements
• If something goes wrong later, they provide warranties and are liable

So even though hiring an electrician cost more upfront, it gave me invaluable peace of mind.

Conclusion: My Home is Safer After Fixing the Outdated Wiring

Replacing the old knob-and-tube wiring certainly wasn't a quick or cheap endeavor, but it was a worthwhile investment to bring my home up to modern safety standards.

The new grounded electrical system gives me confidence that my house wiring can handle today's needs without risk of fire or shock. I'm glad I took the time to properly assess the options and have the hazardous wires removed by a professional.

My home's outdated knob-and-tube wiring was too risky to ignore. By educating myself and having the appropriate upgrades done, I now have wiring that is code-compliant and safe for my family.