How to Replace Shoddy Electrical Work Without Burning Down Your House

Introduction

Replacing electrical work in your home can be daunting, but with proper precautions and planning, it can be done safely. Poor electrical work poses serious fire and shock hazards, so addressing it promptly is important. In this article, I will walk through the steps I took to replace the substandard electrical work in my home without catastrophe.

Gather Tools and Materials

Before touching any wiring, I equipped myself with the proper tools and safety gear. This included:

• Screwdrivers - flathead and Phillips in multiple sizes
• Wire strippers - with notch sizes for different gauge wires
• Voltage tester - to safely check if circuits are live
• GFCI outlet tester - to test for proper grounding
• Circuit breaker finder - to identify breakers for each circuit
• Safety glasses and gloves
• Face mask - to avoid inhaling insulation particles
• Headlamp - for illuminating dark spaces

I also gathered necessary materials like electrical tape, wire nuts, junction boxes, and replacement outlets/switches. Having everything I needed close at hand prevented dangerous improvising.

Turn Off Power and Verify

Before removing any electrical components, I turned off power to the circuit at the main circuit breaker panel. I verified power was off using a non-contact voltage tester on the wires. This was an essential safety step - never assume a circuit is dead without checking first.

Remove Old Wiring

With the power disengaged, I removed any visibly substandard electrical work. This included:

• Outlets with reversed hot/neutral wires
• Outlets nailed directly to the wall without junction boxes
• Exposed splices wrapped haphazardly in electrical tape
• Dangerously overloaded daisy-chained power strips

I discarded all the salvaged materials to avoid re-using anything questionable.

Install New Wiring/Devices

Following code for proper installation, I:

• Mounted new electrical boxes
• Ran new NM cable from boxes to outlets/switches
• Used wire nuts to join conductors
• Secured cables to boxes with cable clamps
• Attached new devices securely to boxes

I also added missing safety elements like GFCI outlets in wet areas.

Inspect, Test and Restore Power

Before turning the circuit back on, I verified all connections were tight and fully enclosed inside boxes. I tested outlets for proper wiring using a tester. Only after confirming everything was up to code did I carefully restore power at the breaker. I checked that all outlets functioned properly before buttoning everything back up.

Work Safely and Seek Help if Needed

Rushing through electrical work risks shocks, fires, and electrocution. I paced myself and stopped to consult tutorials or an electrician when unsure. Home electrical is complicated, so there's no shame in asking for a second opinion. Safety should be the top priority.

Replacing shoddy electrical work demands great care but can successfully be DIYed. Stay organized, work methodically, and don't take risks. With good tools, materials, safety gear, and patience, you can breathe easier knowing your electrical system is safe and code-compliant. Just take it slow and use caution, and your house will stay standing.