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KNOB & TUBE WIRING

If your house was built before 1950 chances are you have knob & tube wiring.  If you have knob and tube what can you do as a home owner? A good start is being informed. Finding knob and tube wiring could mean your project's postponement or altering your remodeling plans because of insurance and safety reasons.

Knob and tube should be replaced because the original wiring was designed to carry less electrical current than today's standard wiring. When knob and tube was created it was adequate for lights and electric circuits. In many instances deterioration and abuse have rendered the wiring unsafe. During building renovations and remodeling wiring can become damaged. The rubber insulation will become dried out, brittle when handled, damage by rodent, or simple carelessness - for example hanging objects off wiring in accessible places like attics and basements.

Today's air conditioners, dishwashers, and high current devices pull too large a load for knob and tube wiring to operate safely. As the electrical load increases the old wires get hot and can become a fire hazard. If you have knob and tube in your home, consider finding an electrical contractor to replace it with a safer alternative.

Covering knob and tube wiring with thermal insulation is unsafe and prohibited. This is a known fire hazard and it is specifically condemned in the National Electrical Code, Section 324-4. No form of insulation - loose, blown-in, or expanding foam insulation can be placed over the wiring. Knob and tube wiring was designed to let heat dissipate to the surrounding air. As a result, energy efficiency upgrades that involve insulating previously un-insulated walls usually also require replacement of the wiring in affected homes.

Homeowners insurance underwriters may refuse and deny coverage for homes and buildings that have this type of wiring installed.

Call Sylvia Electrical Contracting for a free estimate to remove all knob and tube wiring in your home.

Contact a Boston Electrician or electricians in:

Greater Boston Burlington MA, Melrose MA, Wellesley MA, Arlington MA, Belmont MA, Boston MA, Brookline MA, Cambridge MA, Charlestown MA, Malden MA, Medford MA, Newton MA, Everett MA, Chelsea MA, Revere MA, Lexington MA, Somerville MA, Waltham MA, Watertown MA, Winthrop MA, Boston MA

North Shore MA Middleton MA, North Andover MA, Wenham MA, Rockport MA, Rowley MA, Salisbury MA, Topsfield MA, W. Newbury MA, Boxford MA, Newburyport MA, Haverhill MA, Lawrence MA, Lowell MA, Lynn MA, Beverly MA, Danvers MA, Peabody MA, Salem MA, Marblehead MA, Nahant MA, Saugus MA, Lynnfield MA, Wakefield MA, Melrose MA, Stoneham MA, Woburn MA, Billerica MA, Wilmington MA, Hamilton MA, Andover MA, Amesbury MA, Bradford MA, Essex MA, Georgetown MA, Gloucester MA, Groveland MA, Ipswich MA, Merrimac MA, Methuen MA, Newbury MA

South Shore MA Braintree MA, Brockton MA, Canton MA, Cohasset MA, Duxbury MA, Hanover MA, Hingham MA, Hull MA, Boston MA, Tewksbury MA, Milton MA, Norwell MA, Pembroke MA, Plymouth MA, Randolph MA, Quincy MA, Rockland MA, Scituate MA, Weymouth MA

Metro West MA Acton MA, Hudson MA, Marlborough MA, Boston MA, Maynard MA, Shrewsbury MA, Stow MA, Concord MA, Littleton MA, Carlisle MA, Dover MA, Natick MA, Boston MA, Framingham MA, Dedham MA, Weston MA, Lincoln MA, Winchester MA, Wellesley MA, Sudbury MA, Fitchburg MA, Leominster MA, Needham MA, Southborough MA, Westborough MA