How to tell if your house needs rewiring

Here at Thames Valley Electricians in Wokingham, we often take calls from homeowners who want some reassurance that their electrics are okay. One of the most common questions they ask is, “what are the signs my home needs a rewire?” To help make things clearer, our rewire specialists have put together their top tips for how to tell if your house needs rewiring.

How to tell if you have old wiring

Much of the electrical wiring in our homes is concealed from sight and it can be hard to tell if your house needs rewiring. However, there are some clues as to the age and condition of the wiring in your Wokingham home.

Signs your home may need rewiring include:

• Old fashioned fuse box – Have a look at the fuse box in your home. Is it of an older style, with large removable fuses? If so, then your fuse box is out of date and this is a good indicator that the rest of your electrics are also in need of replacement. A modern fuse box, also known as a consumer unit, will have mini circuit breakers and additional safety features such as RCDs. These are much more effective at protecting you and your home from the dangers of electrical fire and shock.
• Black, braided or fabric wrapped electrical wiring – it can be hard to see most of the wiring in your home but there are usually a few places where it is visible. Look around light fittings and near to the fuse box. Modern electrical wiring is either wrapped in white or grey PVCu. If the wires you can see are black, braided or wrapped in fabric then rewiring is likely needed. 
• Mismatched socket heights and styles – Are your sockets and switches all installed at different heights? Are they mounted in or on skirting boards? If the answer is yes, then they have been there for some time and a rewire is probably necessary. Differing heights for your sockets suggest partial rewires have occurred at some stage, particularly if you can also see that the wiring has been surface mounted. 

If you have any concerns about your wiring, or are unsure if your wiring is outdated, call your local electrician. If you are in Wokingham or the surrounding area, our qualified electricians at Thames Valley Electricians will be happy to help check if your home needs rewiring.

My house needs rewiring – can I rewire it myself?

Rewiring is one of the largest and most complex electrical jobs that will be carried out in your Wokingham home. If it is not completed correctly, you could be left at serious risk of fire or electrical shock. It is not an area where corners should be cut. Under building regulations, and for your safety, a rewire should only ever be undertaken by a qualified and registered electrician. A qualified electrician has the skills and experience to carry out your rewire safely and will do so in compliance with all regulations. Once they have completed your rewire, they will notify your local building control office and provide you with all necessary certification. This is particularly relevant if you plan on selling your home or if you intend to rent it out.

If your Wokingham home needs rewiring, or if you have any questions about the rewire process, Thames Valley Electrician are on hand to help. We are your local specialist rewire electrician covering Wokingham, Bracknell and the whole of Berkshire. Our electricians are all highly experienced, fully qualified and NICEIC registered. Contact us today to speak to one of our friendly team.