How To Rewire Your Home Without an Electrician (And Not Burn Your House Down)

Understand the Dangers and Difficulties of DIY Electrical Work

Rewiring a home is extremely dangerous and should only be attempted by qualified electricians. As a homeowner, I need to seriously consider the risks before attempting to rewire my house myself. Electrical fires and electrocution are very real hazards if wiring is not done properly. That being said, I understand the desire to save money by doing it yourself. If I decide to take on this major project, I need to educate myself thoroughly, work slowly and carefully, and get professional help if I have any doubts. My safety and the safety of my family is the top priority.

Create a Plan

Before touching a single wire, I need to make a detailed plan. Here are the key steps I should take:

• Examine my electrical panel and make note of the amperage rating for the main service wire and each circuit. This will determine the wire gauge I need to buy.

• Decide which rooms or areas I want to rewire. It may not be feasible to rewire the entire house at once. I can start with one section.

• Consider any new wiring I need for additional circuits. Will I be adding outlets, lighting, appliances etc?

• Draw up a room-by-room plan showing exact locations for all outlets, switches, lighting, and any hardwired appliances.

• Research local building codes to ensure my plan meets all requirements. I may need permits.

• Purchase all necessary supplies before starting, including wire, outlets, boxes, tools, and safety gear.

Turn Off Power and Remove Old Wiring

Before touching any wiring, I need to turn off power to the entire house at the main breaker. I should turn off individual breakers as well. I need to verify power is off by testing outlets with a multimeter before working.

I can now remove any trim, drill holes, and take down drywall to access the old wiring. I'll need to carefully pull out all the old wires from boxes and staples. Removing old wiring is dirty work, so I should wear protective equipment.

Any hazardous materials like knob-and-tube wiring must be disposed of properly. I should consult an electrician if I'm unsure about anything I encounter while removing old wiring.

Install New Wiring and Components

Once the old wiring is removed, I can start the major task of installing the new wiring. I'll need to:

• Run wires through holes and staple them securely along joists and studs per code. Using the correct gauge wire for each circuit is crucial.

• Install electrical boxes properly anchored to studs or joists. Follow box fill limits.

• Label all wires clearly and connect them securely to outlets, switches and fixtures. Use wire nuts or terminal screws properly.

• Install circuit breakers in the panel and label each circuit clearly. Follow amperage limits.

• Use GFCI outlets where required by code, such as kitchens, bathrooms and basements.

• Make sure all ground wires are properly connected. This is vital for safety.

I should test each circuit before moving on to the next. If any part of the wiring seems unsafe, I should call an electrician immediately. Rushing this critical step risks electrical fires.

Finish and Inspect

Once all new circuits are installed and tested, I can re-install insulation, drywall, trim and fixtures. I should now:

• Vacuum out all dust and debris from electrical boxes before installing switches, outlets and cover plates.

• Caulk around all exterior boxes and conduit openings to protect against moisture.

• Replace or re-install all light fixtures, exhaust fans, etc properly.

• Test every single outlet and switch using a receptacle tester and multimeter.

• Check all GFCI outlets to make sure they trip properly. Press the "Test" button and then "Reset".

• Flip all circuit breakers on and off to verify proper function.

• Consider having the completed job inspected by the local building department, if required.

I should now have a newly rewired home free of old worn-out wiring, properly grounded and protected by GFCIs and circuit breakers. Taking my time and following codes has allowed me to save money without burning my house down!