How to Rewire Your Home with Just a Screwdriver and Save Thousands

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like an intimidating task, but with some preparation and the right tools, a handy homeowner can rewire their house safely and affordably using just a screwdriver. Rewiring a home yourself with a screwdriver can save thousands of dollars in labor costs compared to hiring an electrician. In this guide, I will walk through the complete process of rewiring a home with nothing but a trusty screwdriver and basic electrical knowledge.

Gather Tools and Supplies

Before beginning a rewiring project, you need to gather some basic tools and supplies:

• Screwdriver - A good multi-bit screwdriver with both Phillips and flathead bits is essential. Make sure the screwdriver is well-insulated to prevent shocks.

• Wire strippers - A wire stripper allows you to neatly strip insulation off wires. Self-adjusting strippers that work on multiple gauges are ideal.

• Voltage tester - A non-contact voltage tester lets you safely check that circuits are dead before working on them.

• Wire nuts - Also called twist-on connectors, wire nuts securely join multiple wires.

• Electrical tape - Use high-quality electrical tape when splicing wires and making connections.

• Junction boxes - Have new or existing junction boxes on hand to house connections.

Turn Off Power and Remove Old Wiring

The first step is to turn off all power to the home at the main circuit breaker. Use a non-contact voltage tester to verify power is off before touching any wires.

Next, I remove all the old wiring from the walls, attic, and basement. Take pictures as you work to remember how the original wiring was laid out. Be sure to dispose of the old wires properly according to local regulations.

Plan New Wiring Layout

Now it's time to plan the new wiring for the home. Consider where you need additional outlets, switched lights, and high-power circuits for appliances.

Draw up plans showing the layout of the new circuits, including:

• Locations of outlets, switches, and fixtures

• Paths of wire runs

• Circuit breakers each wire will connect to

• Wire gauges needed for each circuit

Getting the plan right will make the actual wiring process smoother.

Pull New Wires Through Walls

With the plan complete, I'm ready to pull the new wires. I'll feed the new wires into the walls through holes drilled near the top and bottom of each wall cavity. Use wire lubricant to help wires slide through easily.

For tricky wire runs, I'll use long flexible drill bits and fishing system tools to route wires through walls and ceilings. I'll pull three wires for each circuit:

• Hot wire - Carries power from the breaker to outlets and fixtures
• Neutral wire - Returns current to the breaker
• Ground wire - Safety wire that grounds metal parts

Matching wire colors to purpose makes everything easier to understand. I use black for hot, white for neutral, and green or bare copper for ground.

Make Connections

Once the wires are run, it's time to make connections. I'll join wires using twist-on connectors at junction boxes and at devices like switches and receptacles.

Here are some tips for reliable connections:

• Strip insulation neatly using wire strippers
• Twist wires together firmly before capping with a wire nut
• Wrap connections in electrical tape for extra protection

Double check that hot, neutral, and ground wires go to the proper terminals on outlets, switches, and other devices.

Install Devices and Fixtures

With the wiring complete, I can start installing all the switches, outlets, light fixtures, and appliances.

For each device:

• Mount the device in position in the wall or ceiling
• Feed wires into the device electrical box
• Make secure connections to the device
• Attach the device securely into the box

Take care not to overtighten screws or damage the wires. Leave a little slack in the wiring so the device can be easily removed later if needed.

Inspect and Test the System

Before turning the power back on, thoroughly inspect all connections and make sure no wires or connections were missed.

Once everything checks out, I turn the main breaker back on but leave the individual circuits off. I turn on each circuit one at a time and test outlets and fixtures. I use a multimeter to verify proper voltage.

If everything works correctly room-to-room, then congratulations - you've successfully rewired your home!

Conclusion

While rewiring a house is a big endeavor, it can be tackled successfully as a DIY project using just a screwdriver and safe electrical practices. Proper planning is crucial - draw up circuit maps in advance and make sure you have all the necessary materials. Be patient and don't rush the connections. With caution and attention to detail, you can rewire your home and save thousands!