How To Rewire Your 150 Year Old Home Without Dying

Assess the Electrical System

Before beginning any rewiring project in an old home, it's crucial to fully assess the existing electrical system. This will help you understand what needs to be updated and how invasive the rewiring will need to be.

Here are a few things I recommend doing:

• Examine the electrical panel and take note of the amperage rating. Older homes often have 60-100 amp panels that may need upgrading.

• Inspect wiring: Look for cloth-covered wiring, wires that are cracked or frayed, and outlets that lack a ground pin. These are red flags for outdated and potentially hazardous electrical systems.

• Check connections: Make sure all wiring connections are secure and covered with wire nuts or other connectors. Loose connections can cause shorts or fires.

• Test outlets: Use a outlet tester to check for proper polarity and grounding. This will reveal any wiring issues at your outlets.

• Consider an assessment: Hire an electrician to do a thorough assessment if you have any doubts or lack electrical knowledge.

Develop a Rewiring Plan

Once I understand the current state of the electrical system, I can develop a plan for the rewiring project. Key factors to consider:

• Scope: Which parts of the home will be rewired? Just the outlets and lighting, or also the electrical panel and service wires?

• Wiring method: Will the wires be run through walls, ceiling, or conduits along baseboards? Planning the routing is important.

• Devices: What type of outlets, switches, lighting, etc. will be included? Upgrade to modern devices as needed.

• Safety: How will electrical power be safely shut off and secured during the project? Plan to minimize risks.

• Budget: What is the projected cost based on electrician quotes? Get multiple quotes for accuracy. Rewiring can easily cost $5,000-$10,000.

• Timeline: How long will the project take? Make a schedule so the home remains livable during rewiring.

Rewire the Home in Phases

With an old home, I don't want to be without power for an extended period. So I recommend rewiring in phases:

Phase 1: Rewire the Most Problematic Areas

• Focus first on areas with the most urgent rewiring needs, like rooms with:
• Unsafe cloth-covered wiring
• No grounded outlets

• Frequent tripped breakers or blown fuses

• This targeted rewiring lets me upgrade the riskiest electrical areas.

Phase 2: Systematic Room by Room Rewiring

• With the fire hazards addressed, I can rewire room by room:
• Turn off power and remove old wiring
• Run new wires and install devices
• Replace insulation and wall materials

• Restore power and test outlets

• I repeat this process until the entire home is rewired.

Phase 3: Rewire the Main Panel and Services

• Finally, I upgrade the:
• Main service wires from the electrical pole
• Main panel and shut off box

• Grounding system

• This completes a full electrical overhaul.

Use Safe Practices During Rewiring

Safety has to be my top priority when rewiring an old home. Here are some precautions I take:

• Wear electrical PPE like insulated gloves and eye protection
• Work with the power shut off at the breaker panel
• Secure breaker panels so power can't be turned back on accidentally
• Follow local electrical codes and permit requirements
• Only perform work I am qualified for; hire electricians as needed
• Keep others out of unsafe rewiring areas until complete

Rewiring a home is risky if safety practices aren't followed. I take my time and focus on staying safe.

Hire a Licensed Electrician When Needed

While parts of a rewiring project may be DIY-friendly, I leave the most complex and hazardous work to licensed electricians:

• Upgrading the main service panel and wires
• Installing new service entry wires from the utility pole
• Running wiring through finished walls and ceilings
• Tying into the main breaker box
• Any work near water lines requires a professional

I let the pros handle tasks that require electrical licenses, expertise, or special equipment. Paying for an electrician gives me peace of mind and keeps the project code compliant.

Update Related Systems for Full Modernization

Beyond just rewiring, I look to update other related systems for a complete electrical overhaul:

• Upgrade to a 200 amp breaker panel if needed
• Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)
• Include more hardwired smoke and CO detectors
• Improve lighting fixtures and wiring
• Consider whole-home surge suppression
• Add outlets and circuits for modern electrical loads

Updating these systems maximizes safety and prepares my 150 year old home for another 100 years of service! With proper planning and safe execution, a total rewiring project is completely doable.