How to Safely Replace Knob and Tube Wiring in Your Historic Home

Introduction

Replacing knob and tube wiring in a historic home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and care, it can be done safely while preserving the historic character of your home. As the owner of a historic home, I want to upgrade to modern electrical service without damaging the structure and aesthetics that drew me to this house in the first place. In this guide, I'll share the steps I took to successfully replace the antiquated knob and tube wiring in my 1920s craftsman bungalow.

Researching Code Requirements and Permit Needs

Before doing any work, it's crucial to research local building codes and permit requirements. Electrical work can be complex, and cutting corners by avoiding permits and inspections can put your safety at risk.

I recommend reaching out to your local building department to find out:

What permits are needed for rewiring a historic home?
Are there exceptions for historic buildings?
Will a simple swap of the old wiring be allowed, or will full rewiring be required?
Will walls/ceilings need to be opened up for inspection?

Knowing the code requirements up front will inform the plan of action and prevent costly mistakes down the road. My local building department was helpful in explaining what was needed for my particular project.

Developing a Rewiring Plan

Once I understood the pertinent codes and permits, I could develop a rewiring plan. Key steps included:

Consulting an electrician - I hired a licensed electrician experienced in historic homes to handle the details of the rewiring.
Mapping the existing wiring - We photographed and mapped where knob and tube wires ran through the house to mimic the path with new wiring.
Determining new wire routes - We strategized where to snake new wires to avoid damage, like drilling straight through framing rather than plaster walls.
Upgrading the electrical panel - A new 200 amp panel replaced the antiquated 60 amp fuse box to support modern power needs.
Removal plan - We decided to fully remove all knob and tube wires since they can be a fire hazard if left in place.
Inspection plan - We scheduled rough-in and final inspections so the work could be verified safely.

Careful planning was crucial - I didn't want the house torn apart for longer than necessary!

Preparing for Rewiring

Before starting the rewiring, I prepared by:

Photographing rooms - To record conditions for easy restoration later.
Clearing pathways - Furniture was moved to facilitate access to wiring paths.
Protecting surfaces - Floors and walls were covered to prevent scuffs and dings.
Verifying insurance - I confirmed my policy would cover repairs if accidental damage occurred.
Arranging temporary lighting - I set up mobile construction lights to supplement the limited lighting during rewiring.
Planning for disruptions - I alerted my family that power outages would occur during the work.

By getting ready ahead of time, disruptions were minimized and the process went smoothly.

Executing the Rewiring

With proper planning completed, it was time to do the rewiring. As the homeowner, I actively assisted the electrician to keep costs down. Main steps included:

Shutting off power at the panel and verifying it was dead. Safety first!
Removing existing knob and tube wires - we took care to salvage intact sections.
Drilling holes through framing to string new wires per code. Plaster walls were largely spared.
Installing new electrical boxes as needed to support fixtures and outlets.
Connecting modern NM (nonmetallic) cables from boxes back to the new panel.
Keeping wiring paths accessible for rough-in inspection.
Closing up openings after inspection approval.
Reinstalling walls, lighting, outlets, and switches on finished circuits.
Touching up paint and plaster to hide patch marks.

The electrician handled the technical details while I assisted with tasks like drilling holes and patching. Working together, we were able to rewire the entire house over 2 weekends.

Restoring and Finishing Touches

After the inspector approved the new wiring, I shifted focus to the finishing touches:

Furniture was returned to its original configuration.
Floors were refinished where damaged during the work.
Walls were repainted in affected rooms.
Decor was re-hung to restore each room's historic flair.
Exposed wiring was covered with period-appropriate trim boards and escutcheons.
The dated electrical panel was concealed inside a newly built closet.

By taking care with the finishing touches, you'd never know the house contains all modern wiring inside its historic shell.

conclusion

Rewiring a historic home while preserving its charm is very achievable if done thoughtfully. Have an electrician handle the technical details. Research codes and permits thoroughly. Cover surfaces for protection. Touch up all damage after the fact. Follow these tips and you can enjoy safe, modern wiring while keeping the historic spirit of your home intact. This process requires research, planning and care, but the peace of mind gained from upgraded electrical is well worth the effort.