How to Rewire Your Home Without Calling an Electrician

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like an intimidating task, but with the right preparation and safety precautions, it's possible for a homeowner to rewire their house without hiring an electrician. As someone who has rewired my own home, I've learned a lot through the process and want to share my experience to help others feel empowered to take on this type of project.

Reasons to Rewire

There are several reasons why you may need or want to rewire your home:

• Upgrading to a 200 amp service - Many older homes only have 100 amp electrical service. Upgrading allows you to run more high wattage appliances and devices simultaneously.

• Grounding electrical system - Homes built before the 1960s may have ungrounded "two prong" outlets. Rewiring allows you to install modern, grounded "three prong" outlets for improved safety.

• Damaged or faulty wiring - If you have experienced flickering lights, tripping breakers, or outlets/switches that spark, your wiring may be compromised and in need of replacement.

• Remodeling project - Any major remodel involving moving walls or adding additions is the perfect time to update the wiring.

Dangers and Precautions

Electrical work presents some inherent dangers that require safety precautions:

• Shock hazard - Live wires can deliver a dangerous shock if mishandled. Turn off power at the main breaker before doing any electrical work.

• Fire hazard - Faulty wiring is a leading cause of house fires. Follow local building codes and permit requirements.

• Lack of experience - Attempting complex electrical work without any training can put yourself and your home at risk. Educate yourself thoroughly before beginning any rewiring project.

• Working with old wiring - Old, brittle wiring can crack and fray when disturbed. Work slowly and carefully when dealing with vintage wiring.

Planning Your Rewire Project

Careful planning is crucial for a successful rewire project. Important steps include:

Research building codes

• Local building codes provide legal requirements for wiring method, wire gauge, outlets spacing, etc. Check with your local permitting office to ensure your plan meets all codes.

Consider layout changes

• Look for opportunities to improve the location of switches, outlets, and lighting while walls are open during rewiring.

Develop a materials list

• Account for all of the wiring, outlet and junction boxes, conduit, breakers, switches, and tools you will need. Buying in bulk saves money.

Pull permits

• Building permits are required for most rewiring jobs. Permits ensure your work will be inspected for safety.

Turn off power

• Turn off power at the main breaker before starting. Verify it is off using a non-contact voltage tester.

Take photos

• Document wiring locations before dismantling to use as a reference during reinstallation.

Installing New Wiring

Once you have prepped for the project, it's time to install the new wiring. Key steps include:

Running wire through walls

• Use fish tape to pull bundles of wire through holes drilled in wall studs and joists. Keep wire runs as straight as possible.

Securing wires

• Use insulated staples to attach wiring neatly along framing. Keep wire bundles loose enough to prevent damage.

Labeling circuits

• Use wire labels or tape at junction points to identify what each wire controls. This makes troubleshooting easier.

Making safe connections

• Use wire nuts to join wires securely. Wrap connections with electrical tape for additional protection.

Mounting outlets and switches

• Install boxes snugly between studs/joists per code spacing requirements. Secure with screws to avoid movement.

Connecting devices

• Use pigtails to link outlets and switches to wires. Follow diagrams so hot and neutral connections match.

Wrapping Up the Project

Once the new wiring is installed, there are still some important steps to follow:

Testing circuits

• Verify all outlets and lights function properly before closing up walls. Check for shorts with a voltage tester.

Installing wall plates

• With circuits tested and walls patched up, install decorative wall plates to finish the job.

Upgrading breaker panel

• If necessary, replace an old breaker panel with a new large capacity model to support added circuits.

Closing permits

• Call your local inspector to have them sign off on the completed work before closing out permits.

Adding surge protection

• Install whole house surge protectors to guard against electrical spikes on newly upgraded service.

By following safety precautions and doing careful planning, a DIY electrical rewire project can successfully upgrade the wiring in your home. While challenging, the ability to do it yourself can save thousands of dollars in electrician fees.