Rewiring your home
House rewires, when are they needed and how do I know? We explain the process, when you should rewire your house and when it is necessary.
The only way to be sure if your house needs to be rewired is to have a registered competent Electrician test the full fixed electrical installation in your property. This is called an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and depending on the size of your property, can take anything from between 4 hours to multiple days. Most 3 bedroom Semi-Detached houses will take roughly 8 hours to carry out a full and comprehensive EICR. A 7 page document will then be issued clearly reporting on the condition of the fixed wiring within the dwelling and what work, if any, are required.
From this point, you will have a better idea of the age, condition and ultimately the safety of your electrical installation and if it is time to have your house rewired or not. It can also give you an indication if any parts of the installation can be saved, and you could possibly only require a partial rewire.
What is a Partial Rewire?
One example of a partial house rewire, would be rewiring the ground and first floor lighting. This could be due to there being no circuit protective conductor (cpc) which is your earth. The wiring for the remainder of the circuits can (and most often is) satisfactory for this age of wiring. This could be an option, but then there are other factors to take into account.
How old is my Electrical Installation?
The general rule of thumb is that you can expect the wiring within an electrical installation to last around 50 year. So currently, anything post 1980 may require attention. That's not to say any installation pre 1980 requires a rewire, it's just a good indication and would subject to an EICR and it's findings.
When is a good time to rewire my house?
Should you be moving to a new home, this is always a good time to think about getting your house rewired and at the very least tested with an EICR issued on completion. The house can be rewired before you move your furniture etc in, meaning the contractors can work at a faster pace and there's the added bonus of not having your furniture in the house with the dust (house rewires can be a dusty affair!). Any 'chases' can be made good as you go through and decorate each room to your taste once you have moved in but most importantly you move into a home knowing the installation is safe and will last a considerable length of time.
Moving Home:
We always advise an EICR is produced or an Electrical Installation Certificate showing a rewire or a consumer unit (fuseboard) upgrade within the last 10 years. Getting a second opinion on the test results within the certification is always prudent and advised.
We've carried out many house rewires in Wellington, Taunton and across Somerset and you can see some of out feedback on checkatrade.com/grantselectrical
You can also check out our Gallery for photos of recently completed and ongoing house rewires at https://grantselectrical.com/gallery/
Electrical Safety in The Home
Your electrical installation should be checked every 10 years by a qualified electrician, but what about in-between times?
We all use electricity in our homes every day without thinking about how safe it is. But the campaigning charity Electrical Safety First estimates that around 70 people are killed, with 350,000 seriously injured annually due to an electrical accident in the home.
For this reason Which? Trusted Traders called us in to help with an article for their website to highlight the regular checks you should be performing on your electrical systems to ensure they are safe.
Read the full article and find out our tips on Electrical Safety in the Home >>
Tips On Installing LED Lighting
LED lighting is designed to be long-lasting and energy-efficient, potentially saving you money on your bills over time as you use less energy.
As the price of bulbs has fallen significantly over recent years more and more customers are enjoying the benefits of this fantastic technology.
Our customers frequently ask us questions including, how much does it cost, where should I buy my bulbs and why should I consider LED lighting. For this reason Which? recently asked for our expertise to answer these questions and more for an article for their website.
Read the full article and find out our tips on installing LED lighting >>
The importance of an EICR and why every home needs one
It is recommended that every household should have an EICR at least every ten years, five years if owned by a landlord. If an electrical fault does occur in your property, and you need to make an insurance claim, then you may find yourself in difficulty, as many insurance companies won't accept your claim without these electrical checks having been carried out.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a certificate that details the safety of all electrical installations and fittings within your home, as checked by an electrician.
The EICR explained
The EICR comprises of a full check of all fixed wiring and tells the electrician if the electrics are safe, and if they comply with current regulations. What it will do is flag up any potential risks and hazards that could potentially damage your home or you. The checks will include the fuse board, wiring, earth boarding and electrical switches.
What the electrician will do
On arrival, the electrician will complete a visual check and assessment. A series of checks will then be conducted. If a problem is found that poses an immediate danger, then they can carry out a repair, on the spot, to ensure that the home is safe. If it can't be done on the day, then the issue will be made safe as an intermediate repair, until it can be repaired fully.
If you need a new fuse board
The electrician will carry out an extensive check of your fuse board. It should have RCD protection (Residual Current Device) and the necessary circuit breakers. If the EICR discovers issues with your fuse board, then it may need to be upgraded. It may be old, or may not meet current regulations. If the fuse board needs to be replaced, then this is not a huge cause for concern. The EICR will have confirmed any issues and the electrician can then go ahead and upgrade the new fuse board, which usually only takes a day to install. A safely installed fuse board will also give your home RCD protection on all electrical circuits.
Having an EICR gives you great peace of mind, in knowing that your home's electrics are safe. When looking for an electrician in Wellington, Taunton or Somerset who can carry out this type of electrical safety check, then please contact us here at Grants Electrical Services. We are a team of experienced and professional electricians who are more than happy to help.