Introduction
Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, especially if you don't have any electrical experience. However, with the right preparation and safety precautions, I discovered that rewiring a home is completely doable as a DIY project. In this comprehensive guide, I will share the step-by-step process I used to successfully rewire my home without hiring an electrician.
Reasons to Rewire Your Home
There are several good reasons you may want to rewire your home:
Upgrading the Electrical System
- If your home still has knob and tube wiring, rewiring allows you to upgrade to modern electrical systems that meet current safety standards.
- Rewiring also allows you to increase the amperage of your electrical system to handle more high-powered appliances and electronics.
Fixing Faulty Wiring
- If you have experienced frequent tripped breakers, flickering lights, or outlets that spark when plugging something in, your home's electrical wiring likely needs repair.
- Rewiring allows you to fix these hazards and prevent potential electrical fires.
Expanding Circuits
- If your home lacks enough circuits or outlets for all your devices and appliances, rewiring allows you to add more circuits and outlets.
Dangers of Rewiring Your Home
While rewiring a home as a DIY project can save thousands of dollars in electrician fees, it does come with risks if proper safety precautions are not taken:
- Electrocution - Live wires can electrocute you if mishandled. Turning off the main breaker is essential.
- Electrical fires - Faulty connections can overheat and spark electrical fires. Quality materials and proper technique are critical.
- Damaging your home - Mistakes like cutting through load-bearing walls or water pipes can damage your home. Careful planning avoids this.
However, as long as you educate yourself, work carefully, and get all necessary permits, these risks can be minimized.
Step 1: Creating a Rewiring Plan
The first step is to carefully plan out your rewiring project.
Examine your Current Electrical System
- Check your electrical panel to see the amperage of your service, the number of circuits, and if you have fuses or breakers.
- Note the locations of all outlets, switches, and light fixtures currently in your home.
Decide What Upgrades You Want
- Determine if you want to increase your electrical service for more capacity.
- Decide where you want additional outlets, switches, or lighting fixtures.
Develop a Complete Wiring Diagram
- Map out a wiring diagram for your entire home including all new and existing wiring connections.
Buy Your Materials
- Use your wiring plan to determine how much NM cable, wire nuts, junction boxes, breakers, and other supplies you will need.
Get Necessary Permits
- Contact your local building department to get electrical and building permits before starting.
Step 2: Preparing for the Rewire
To ensure a smooth rewiring process, you need to thoroughly prepare your home's electrical system and your tools/materials:
Turn Off Main Breaker
- Turning off the main breaker ensures all wiring in your home is dead. This is essential for safely handling wires.
Remove Old Wiring
- As you rewire each run, remove any old deactivated wiring you come across for less clutter.
Gather Tools/Materials
- Have everything you need on hand including basic hand tools, a voltmeter, wire stripper, cable staples, and your new wires/junction boxes.
Organize Your New Wires
- Neatly coil any new NM cables and extension cords to prevent tangling as you work.
Prepare Workspace
- Clear debris from work areas and cover floors/furniture to protect from dust or material spills.
Step 3: Running the New Wiring
With your home prepped and your materials organized, you're ready to run your new electrical wiring throughout the house:
Follow Your Wiring Diagram
- Refer often to your diagram and mark it up as you route each wire to avoid confusion.
Route Cables Properly
- Use the center of stud bays or running boards at least 1 1/4" from the edge. Keep cables at least 6" from parallel runs.
Secure Wires Properly
- Use cable staples every 4 1/2' and within 12" of junction boxes according to code for a professional appearance.
Size Wires Correctly
- Size your wires based on expected load. For most 15-20 amp home branch circuits, #14 NM cable is appropriate.
Connect Switches/Outlets
- Follow manufacturer diagrams to properly connect new outlets, switches, and lighting fixtures to your new wiring runs.
Step 4: Connecting the Electrical Panel
With all your new wiring run throughout the house, it's time to connect everything back to the main electrical panel:
Shut Off Individual Breakers
- Shut off breakers as you work on that circuit to be extra safe when tying into the panel.
Make Pigtails
- Use 6" pigtails to connect new wire to breakers for flexibility and easier troubleshooting later.
Organize Wires
- Neatly route wires and label/organize circuits in the panel for maintenance.
Install Breakers
- Connect new wires to appropriately sized breakers and make sure polarity is correct.
Close Up Panel
- Neatly close up the panel cover when all connections are made. Avoid pinching wires.
Verify Grounding
- Ensure the electrical system is properly grounded for safety.
Step 5: Testing and Finishing Touches
You're nearing the final stretch! Now it's time to thoroughly test your work and apply finishing touches:
Carefully Check All Connections
- Verify all connections are tight and properly secured. Loose connections can spark fires.
Test Every Outlet and Fixture
- Plug in a voltmeter, light bulb, or lamp to test each outlet and light fixture. Fix any issues.
Confirm Amperage
- With everything on, check amperage draw at the panel with an amp clamp. It should not exceed the service capacity.
Update Faceplates
- Install new faceplates on outlets and switches for a fresh finished look.
Patch Drywall if Needed
- Patch and paint any drywall holes from running wiring to restore your walls.
Have an Electrician Inspect
- Hire an electrician to inspect your work and certify it was done properly before re-energizing the system.
Helpful Rewiring Tips
To make your project go smoothly, keep these tips in mind:
- Take photos before removal to assist in proper reassembly.
- Label all wires as you disconnect them for easy troubleshooting.
- Only work on deactivated wiring that is fully disconnected from power.
- Wear electrical gloves and other safety gear when handling wires.
- Double check your work - basic mistakes can cause serious issues.
Bottom Line
While rewiring a house is a major project, it can be successfully tackled as a DIY job. By creating a detailed plan, taking proper safety precautions, methodically running new cables, and double checking all connections, you can rewire your home and save thousands. Just be sure all work is permitted, inspected, and certified safe before completion. With adequate care and preparation, you can gain invaluable electrical experience and safely upgrade your home's wiring.