How To Rewire Your 1850s Home Without Burning It Down

As an owner of a historic home from the 1850s, I understand the desire to update the wiring while preserving the original character and charm. Having gone through this process myself, I learned a great deal about rewiring these old houses safely. Here is my guide on how to rewire your 1850s home without burning it down.

Assess Your Current Wiring Situation

The first step is to understand what kind of wiring your 1850s home currently has. In most cases, it will be knob-and-tube wiring, which was common in homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This type of wiring has insulation-covered wires running through ceramic knobs and flexible tubes.

While knob-and-tube can be functional, it often lacks grounding and the insulation can become brittle over time. I had a certified electrician inspect my home's wiring and provide a detailed assessment. This gave me a clear sense of problem areas, safety concerns, and how much needed to be replaced. Thorough inspection and planning is crucial for any rewiring project.

Develop a Rewiring Plan

Based on the inspection, I worked with the electrician to map out a rewiring plan. This included:

• Prioritizing locations - Some areas, like the kitchen and bathrooms, are more in need of rewiring than others due to frequent use and exposure to moisture. Focus on hazardous and high-priority locations first.

• Rerouting wiring - Decide if wiring will be surface-mounted or run through walls/ceilings. Rerouting through walls takes more work but hides wires for a cleaner look.

• Incorporating safety features - GFCIs, arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), and whole-house surge protectors greatly improve electrical safety. Include these in the new wiring.

• Preparing for added circuits - Consider how you may want to expand lighting, outlets, and appliances in the future. The rewiring is a chance to add circuits and increase capacity.

Select Your Electrical Contractor

Rewiring an old home takes experience and skill. Be sure to select a licensed electrician or contractor that specializes in electrical work on historic homes. Verify they are insured and bonded, have strong references, and understand old wiring systems like knob-and-tube. This experience is crucial for maintaining safety and preserving your home's historic elements.

I vetted several local electricians before selecting one experienced with 1850s wiring. Check reviews and talk with neighbors who have had similar work done. Take time to choose the right pro for the job.

Remove Old Wiring

Before new wires can go in, I had to remove the old knob-and-tube wiring. The electrician was very careful in removing old wiring to avoid unnecessary damage to plaster walls or wood framing. This is a key reason for hiring an expert - they know techniques to remove old wires efficiently while protecting original historic finishes.

Some components had to be carefully taken apart, like running boards or laminated ceiling/wall finishes. The electrician labelled wires, marked access points, and took pictures to help put things back properly later on. Taking it slow and steady is important during the removal process. Rushing can lead to damage.

Install New Wiring System

With the old wiring cleared out, the updated wiring system could be installed. This involved:

• Running new wires through walls and ceilings between outlets, switches and fixtures
• Anchoring wires to framing members using insulated metal staples
• Installing metal outlet and switch boxes
• Securing wires to boxes and devices using clamps and connectors
• Labeling circuit wires and cables clearly at access points

I opted to keep the existing wall and ceiling finishes instead of tearing them out to install new drywall. This preserved the historic plaster while allowing access for wiring. The electrician was careful to anchor wires securely and avoid drilling unnecessary holes.

Add Safety Features

In addition to running wires to outlets and switches, I had GFCIs, AFCIs, and whole-house surge protection added. The electrician installed GFCIs near water sources like the kitchen and bathroom. AFCIs were incorporated into breaker panels to protect against arcs and sparks. The surge protector provides defense against power spikes. These features bring the 1850s wiring up to modern safety standards.

Inspect, Test and Finish Up

Once the new wiring installation was complete, everything was thoroughly tested and inspected. Each outlet and light fixture was checked to confirm proper connections and functionality. Circuit breakers and safety devices were tested as well.

The final step was reassembling any sections of walls, floors, or ceilings that were accessed during the rewiring. The electrician matched old finishes and touches up plaster as needed. In the end, it was impossible to tell work had even been done.

Rewiring a historic home takes extra care and effort. But with the right electrician and safe methods, you can update electrical safely while retaining the structure's original beauty and charm. My 1850s house now has wiring that will function reliably for decades to come.