Cloth Wiring

Has your inspection report shown cloth wiring with a big red warning sign? Are you wondering what cloth wiring is? Well cloth wiring is not what you should use tie knots or run electrical current through. If you are looking to purchase a home from the 1960’s or earlier and are concerned about the condition of the home you should make sure you hire a detailed and knowledgeable home inspector to inspect your property. Out of the 4 major components to look for when inspecting a home electrical is one of the biggest. Electrical hazards are not only costly but can be very dangerous to anyone in or around the home. Read below to find out exactly what cloth wiring is and what you can do about it!

Cloth wiring was a cheap way to run electrical currents through the home. Cloth wiring was outdated and was not being installed in homes around the end of the 1960’s. Why is cloth wiring still not being used? Cloth wiring can crack, splice, and become brittle over time. It also is very vulnerable to rodents and other insects chewing through the wires. When there is any damage on the cloth wiring it can expose the live wires and create a serious safety hazard especially when in attics in contact with insulation. Cloth wiring also has very poor insulation compared to new romex wiring. It looses a lot of energy from the panel to the outlet being used. It also create more energy which heats up the wiring which can again wear down the wire and create a fire hazard when in use for long periods of time. Many insurance companies are aware of these issues and will not insure a new homeowner or new policy if cloth wiring is present. That is why it is important to hire the right inspector to call this out so you are fully aware of the condition of the home. What can you do to prevent yourself from unexpected cloth wiring or how to remediate it?

You can always hire the right home inspector or licensed electrician to fully inspect the electrical components of the home to see if cloth wiring is present. This is the best method in presentation of unwanted cloth wiring. Remediation process is pretty simply. It’s best to refer to an electrician for the best method of remediation but the typical process is replacing any current cloth wiring present in the home with new romex wiring that is up to code. This can anywhere from a few thousand up to thirty thousand depending on the size of the home and the difficulty of replacing it out. Remember whenever in doubt always refer to a professional!