How to Rewire Your Home Without an Electrician Using These Clever Hacks

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with the right preparation and safety precautions, it's possible for a DIYer to complete basic electrical work. As someone who has rewired parts of my home without professional help, I've learned some clever tricks to make the process easier. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk through everything you need to know to rewire your home safely on your own.

Reasons to Rewire

There are several good reasons you may want to rewire parts of your home:

• Upgrade to a higher amperage - If your home still has 60 amp service, upgrading to 100 or 200 amps can allow you to run more high-wattage appliances and electronics simultaneously.

• Replace old and outdated wiring - Knob and tube wiring found in older homes is inefficient and potentially unsafe. Replacing it can prevent fires and electrical issues.

• Add more circuits - Additional lighting, appliances, and electronics may require new circuits to be added to prevent overloading.

• Ground ungrounded outlets - Ungrounded two-prong outlets need to be upgraded to safe, modern grounded outlets.

• Fix faulty wiring - Faulty connections, damaged wire insulation, and other issues can be fire and shock hazards.

As long as you take precautions, none of these jobs requires hiring an electrician. With some know-how, you can do them safely on your own.

Safety Tips

Any electrical work presents some risk of shock and fire. Here are some key safety tips to follow:

• Turn off power at the main breaker panel - Always turn off the main before working on any circuits. Double check with a non-contact voltage tester.

• Work on one circuit at a time - Rewire one circuit start to finish before moving to the next. Avoid confusion by not taking multiple circuits apart at once.

• Use caution with aluminum wiring - copper wiring is ideal. But if you home has aluminum, use special connectors and caution when working with it.

• Wear insulating gloves and eye protection - Make sure no skin is exposed when handling wires. Safety glasses protect your eyes as well.

• Ensure wires are securely fastened - Loose wire connections can cause arcing and fires. Secure all connections tightly.

• Have an emergency plan - Be prepared to quickly cut power or flee if a fire starts. Keep an ABC extinguisher on hand.

• Get permits if required - Permits are often required for major electrical work. Research your local permitting laws.

Following basic safety practices is crucial when DIYing electrical work. Don't take risky shortcuts.

Things You'll Need

Before getting started, assemble all the necessary tools and materials:

• Basic hand tools - wire strippers, screwdrivers, pliers, cable cutters, hammer, measuring tape, etc.

• Voltage tester - A non-contact tester detects live power. Essential for safety.

• Junction boxes and outlet boxes - For housing wire connections and outlets. Match sizes to your home.

• NM cable - The appropriate gauge size for the circuit amperage (e.g. 14-gauge for 15 amps).

• Wire nuts - For splicing and capping wires. Ensure they are large enough for the wire gauge.

• Wire staples or cable clips - To securely fasten wire runs to studs and joists.

• GFCI outlets - For "wet" areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Helps prevent shocks.

• Circuit breakers - New breakers may be needed for new circuits you add.

• Conduit - If surface mounting wire runs, you'll need rigid metal or flexible conduit.

Gather all supplies ahead of time so they are on hand when needed during the rewiring process. Having the right tools for the job makes the work much easier.

Shutting Off Power

The first step is always to shut off power at the main breaker panel. Not only should you flip the main breaker to "off", but also confirm it is off by one of these methods:

• Test lights and outlets - Plug in a lamp and turn on lights to confirm they are dead.

• Check with a voltage tester - Use a non-contact voltage tester to confirm the wires have no power.

• Remove the main fuse - If you have a fuse box, remove the main fuse altogether.

Shutting off the power eliminates the risk of getting shocked while handling wires. Even after the main is off, always double check wires with a voltage tester before touching them. Take no risks.

Once the power is confirmed off, you can turn off and/or remove the individual circuit breakers or fuses for the circuits you'll be rewiring.

Running New Wire

The process of running new wire may vary based on whether you're replacing old wire or adding new circuits:

Replacing Old Wiring

• Use wire cutters to remove any staples or clips securing the old wire.

• At each outlet, switch and junction box, disconnect the old wires. Take photos if the wiring is complex.

• Carefully pull the old wire out of the wall cavity. Coil it neatly to keep it from tangling.

• Use fish tape to pull the new wire through the cavity. Have someone feed the wire while you guide the tape.

• If pulling wire through finished walls, you may need to cut holes and patch afterwards.

Adding New Circuits

• Determine the path for the new wire to run from the panel to the outlets/switches.

• If going through finished walls, drill holes to feed the wire through studs and joists.

• Use conduit if surface mounting wire on walls or ceilings. Run conduit sections between boxes.

• Staple or cable clip new wire every 4-6 feet through cavities and 16 inches if surface mounted.

The goal is to run wires cleanly and safely. With some care, new wires can be installed with minimal disruption to existing walls and ceilings.

Splicing and Capping Wires

All wire connections must be handled properly for safety:

• Strip wire insulation using wire strippers, exposing 1/2 inch of bare copper.

• When splicing, tightly twist wires together clockwise using pliers.

• Securely fasten splice with a wire nut sized for the gauge. Give a firm final twist.

• Coil spliced wires neatly and compactly into boxes. Don't let splices dangle loosely.

• Cap any unused wires with appropriately sized wire nuts. This prevents contact with others.

• Follow diagrams for proper hot, neutral and ground connections. Use twist-on connectors for grounds.

Take your time splicing and capping all wires correctly. Bad connections can arc, overheat and start electrical fires.

Installing New Outlets and Switches

Upgrade your outlets and switches as part of the rewiring:

• Choose the right replacement. Match amp and voltage ratings of old outlets and switches.

• Modern grounded outlets are required. Never install new ungrounded receptacles.

• Use weatherproof GFCI outlets for kitchens, bathrooms. garages and other wet locations.

• When removing old outlets and switches, carefully note wire locations to reconnect correctly.

• Secure wires to the new outlet or switch terminals tightly using screwdrivers.

• Double check live, neutral and ground wires are on the correct terminals before capping them into boxes.

• Ensure outlets and switches mount flush and tight to receptacle boxes.

Follow proper wiring methods for new outlets and switches. This keeps your rewiring project safe and up to code.

Wrapping Up the Job

As you finish the rewiring work, there are a few last steps:

• Mark all the new circuits clearly on index cards placed in the breaker panel.

• Ensure no wires were nicked or damaged during installation. Electrical tape splits as needed.

• Check for secure stapling and no loose wires. Use cable ties or conduit for surface-run wires.

• Confirm all splices are contained neatly inside boxes with no loose connections.

• Replace cover plates, outlet covers, switch plates, and breaker panel cover.

• Carefully restore any finished walls you had to cut into during the process.

• Turn the main breaker back on only after double checking that power is truly off throughout the house.

• Do a final test of all lights and outlets. Verify proper operation of all circuits.

Take your time completing the job safely. Thoroughly checking all connections and circuits prevents electrical hazards once the power comes back on.

Final Tips

Rewiring a home without electrician help is very doable. Following safety precautions and using the right techniques will lead to success. Here are a few final tips:

• Shut off power first and verify it's off before starting any work. This can't be stressed enough.

• Rewire one circuit at a time to avoid confusion. Label wires clearly as you work.

• Only work on small sections you're comfortable handling based on your skill level.

• Research permits needed and consider having new work inspected before closing walls back up.

• Ask an electrical-savvy friend to review your work if you want an extra set of eyes.

• Be slow and extremely careful. Electrocutions and fires occur in a flash from even small mistakes.

With the right safety approach and methods, you can rewire your home successfully without an electrician. Take your time, be cautious, and enjoy the satisfaction of DIYing an important upgrade to your home's electrical system.