Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with the right preparation and knowledge, it can be done safely without burning your house down. As an avid DIYer, I decided to rewire my 100 year old home to upgrade the electrical system. Through extensive research and interviews with professional electricians, I learned many useful tips for how to properly rewire a home.
Know Your Limits
Before tearing into your home's walls, honestly assess your abilities. Rewiring a home requires knowledge of electrical systems, codes, and safety practices. If you lack experience, consider hiring a professional to avoid costly mistakes. Rewiring errors can lead to fires, electrocution hazards, and code violations. I had only basic electrical knowledge, so I decided to take electrician training courses first.
Turn Off Power at the Breaker
Before touching any wires, shut off all power at the main circuit breaker. Verify it is off by testing outlets with a voltage tester. Lock the breaker box so others don't accidentally turn it on while you're working. Failure to cut power can lead to lethal shocks from live wires. I tested all my outlets even though I switched the main breaker off, just to be safe.
Map Out Your Electrical Plan
Map your home's current wiring by noting each circuit at the breaker box and outlets throughout the house. Decide what needs upgrading based on age, amperage, and type of wiring. Develop a rewiring plan identifying new circuits, outlets, switches, and fixtures. Consult local building codes for any wiring requirements. I mapped my wiring and determined several circuits needed upsizing based on new appliance loads.
Choose the Correct Wire Gauge
Select wiring gauge appropriate for your home's electric service size and each new circuit's amperage needs. For a 200 amp main service, I chose #6 copper wires for 50 amp kitchen circuits and #12 for 15 amp bedroom circuits. Undersized wire can overheat, melt insulation, and cause fires. Oversized is safe but unnecessary. I referenced code books for exact sizing requirements.
Replace Old Outlets and Switches
For safety, replace outlets that lack grounding with GFCI outlets which protect from shocks. Upgrade old two prong to grounded three prong outlets so you can plug in newer appliances. Replace worn or cracked switches and outlets that won't hold plugs securely. I noted several two prong outlets in my kitchen that needed GFCI replacement.
Run New Wire Through Walls Carefully
Cut narrow drywall openings to insert and route new wiring through walls and ceilings. Avoid large unnecessary holes which require more patching later. Use metal protectors when running wire through wood or metal studs to prevent punctures. Pull wires gently without kinking or scraping insulation. I used long drill bits to open passage between studs for pulling wire.
Connect Wires Securely
Wire nuts and terminal screws must be tightened firmly to prevent loose connections that can spark fires. Tug test each wire after connecting to verify tightness. Double check the hot and neutral wires are connected correctly when hooking up outlets and switches. I always gave each nut and screw an extra quarter turn with pliers for good measure.
Label All Wires and Circuits
To reduce confusion, label every wire with masking tape indicating it's function and circuit number. Create a detailed wiring diagram noting all connections and circuits. This makes troubleshooting issues much easier later on. I used my phone to photograph my wiring progress in case the labels fell off later.
Inspect and Test Your Work
Before turning power back on, inspect all connections and fix any loose, crossed or exposed wires. Check separation between wires and that insulation isn't compressed at openings. Turn circuits on individually to verify proper function of outlets and fixtures. I tested each circuit before moving to the next stage to catch any mistakes.
Rewiring your home is an ambitious project, but it can be accomplished safely by most avid DIYers if the proper precautions are taken. Always put safety first, thoroughly plan the job, and ask for help if any part exceeds your skill level. If you take it slow and double check everything, you can upgrade your electrical without burning the house down! Let me know if you have any other rewiring questions.