A couple question's about rewiring your home?

Question

I am thinking about replacing k**b and tube wiring in a 2 story house. 1. Should I just place the new wires in the place the old ones were? 2. How much of my walls will I have to take out I think they are plaster? Is there a tool for pulling wire through the floor and walls? Can I just place holes in the walls to get the wires through and then patch them up? Are there any good resources to learn more about this?

Answer 1

Not sure where you live or your experience level, but in my case I didn't need a permit for electrical work. I wired my whole house myself. The inspector will check all your work and if it looks bad, he will let you know! In the end it ALL has to pass code and his inspection. This is still the United States - at least until Obama gets in, and your allowed to work on your own home free of government intervention. All they want to do is an inspection to make sure its done right. If your able to do wiring and feel confident, buy a good book on electrical wiring and go for it. Its not that hard - again depends on how handy you are. But the one thing I wouldn't do myself is the main panel and hooking up the power to the panel from the outside. You can do circuit breakers yourself, etc., but why? A licensed electrician will be so much neater, and you will know its done right. I would just locate my new panel, get a huge one - the more room the better! Its better to spend the money now and have too much room than buy something too small. Locate it first. Then locate a central "run" for all your wiring - usually along a ceiling for example. Remove that plaster and then remove some wall plaster depending on how your going to run between floors, etc. Remember there are rules and codes to follow about how many holes, size, etc. you can drill in a support beam like a floor joist. This is where the book and common sense come in! As for removing the old wiring I definitely would just because I don't want to wonder later if its "live" or not. This isn't an easy job, but its doable. I would do all new outlet boxes too, buy remodeling boxes - they come with little wings on them. Cut a hole insert it and tighten it down. Fish the wires down to them with a wire puller. I could go on and on...

In summary, go buy a good book! : )

Answer 2

You may want to rethink what you are doing if you have to ask these questions. Obviously you are not a licensed electrician . Most codes require that all the k**b and tube be removed and the new wire be installed and inspected before the inspectors will approve it . You do have a permit for this , don`t you ? Playing a do it yourself electrician can not only get you in trouble legally , but also puts you and your family at risk , as you have demonstrated that you do not even know what you are doing. DIY electricians usually account for 40% of the fires in homes. But on the other side . You will soon learn drywalling skills , after opening up the walls and removing the old wires and installing AND securing the new wires to the studs (code) , you get to play with plaster, and sand paper . Do yourself a favour and get some one with the proper qualifications to do this ,

Answer 3

There is a wire puller, and you don't have to remove your plaster walls, but you should read up on it first and ask a couple of questions from an expert in your area.  Here is a DIY like for wiring your home.

Answer 4

you can use a wire puller, available at any home center, but there are usually codes that require you to get a permit and maybe hire a licensed electrician for that type of work

Answer 5

There are specialized tools for the purpose.

Drills with long flexible shafts, 'fish tapes,

and wire snakes.

It is a skilled job however, and a 'pro' will make

a lot fewer holes to patch than you will.

If the place is old enough for k**b & tube wiring,

it's likely that while you're in there, installing 'blow in'

insulation would be a very sound investment in time & money.

Answer 6

Where I live this requires a permit!!! To be on the safe side, call a electrician.