Do you know long electrical wiring lasts? And do you know the signs that your Romsey home needs to be rewired?
As your local, specialist rewire electrician in Romsey Hampshire, N.D.M Electrical are here to answer all your questions about rewiring your home. We have put together this handy guide to tell you more about just how long electrical wiring can last and why it might need replacing.
Why you should think about your wiring
Unless you have been experiencing any electrical issues, you probably haven’t given your wiring much thought. Electricity is something that most of us are guilty of taking for granted. Power is always there at the flick of a switch, 24 hours a day, 365 day a year. It’s because of that amount of use that we need to pay the wiring in our homes more regular attention. Over time, and with the heavily repeated usage that it is subjected to, your electrical wiring begins to show signs of wear and tear. Eventually faults will occur, and these can leave you at risk of electrical shock or fire. If you can’t remember the last time your homes electrical wiring was inspected or don’t know when it was last rewired, it’s time to call in your electrician.
What is the life expectancy of electrical wiring?
Most Romsey homeowners can expect their electrical wiring to last at least 25 years. Some homes may have electrical wiring in good condition for longer than this, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Rewiring is most often performed when the wiring is at least 20 years old or as part of a renovation project. The life expectancy of your homes wiring can be reduced in certain circumstances. This is often the case when the wiring was installed or modified by an untrained person. A thorough inspection performed by a qualified electrician will highlight any issues and keep your home safe.
What else can affect how long wiring lasts?
- Materials used: What your electrical wiring is made of has an impact on its longevity. Parts of your wiring will wear out before others. The outer casing of your wiring will also wear out far sooner than the internal copper wire it is protecting.
- Initial installation: The original installation methods will have an impact on the lifespan of your electrical wiring. Poorly chosen routing, particularly where movement occurs, can cause damage over the time. Poor quality fittings won’t have the longevity of better-quality ones.
- External factors: What conditions has your electrical wiring been exposed too. The protective insulation can be damaged in sub-optimal conditions. Stress points caused by movement, extremes of temperature and exposure to water can all cause damage. Rodents can also cause considerable damage.
- Changing Demands: Electric cables generate slight heat when current passes through them. Wiring is insulated to mitigate these effects but, if the wiring is carrying an excessive load, the insulation can fail, and the wiring can become hot. This is one of the most common problems in homes with older wiring. It’s simply not designed to withstand the electrical demands of modern life.
A qualified electrician will look at all these areas when inspecting your wiring to determine whether a rewire is necessary. At N.D.M Electrical Romsey we always advise having an electrical inspection if you have concerns about your wiring. That way a rewire is only performed when necessary for your continued safety.
If you are a homeowner in Romsey, Hampshire and would like to discuss your electrical wiring and find out if your property would benefit from rewiring, call N.D.M Electrical today. Our experienced, fully qualified and NICEIC registered electricians are on hand to help keep you and your home safe.
