As long as the lights come on and the fridge is running, you might think that there is not a problem with your home’s electrical wiring. Yet homes of a certain vintage could have some big problems behind their walls, problems that could result in an electrical fire.

The antique knob and tube wiring system used up until about 1945, for example, should be extinct. The old wires are likely to be cracked and the connections worn and faulty. According to Aprile Chalmers of About Town Electric, due to the risk of electrical shock and overloaded circuits that could lead to fire, knob and tube wiring should be replaced and the entire home rewired.

Aluminum wiring, used from the 1960s to late 1970s has its own issues.

“Statistics show that homes built with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have overheating problems,” says Chalmers. It’s not the wiring itself that can pose a danger, it’s the connections. She explains that “aluminum wiring expands more than copper wiring and it oxidizes at the connections and causes overheating issues”.

Faulty wiring is indicated by flickering lights, switches or outlets that are hot to the touch or appear discoloured or blackened. If you see sparks or arching when pulling out a plug, it’s time to call a licensed electrical contracting company. Left unchecked, the connection will come loose resulting in melting, a burning odour and potentially fire.

Chalmers recommends an aluminum wire rejuvenation, which does not entail completely rewiring the home. Rejuvenation involves the removal of all existing devices including switches, outlets, and dimmers. About six inches of copper wire is attached to the end of the aluminum wire and then connected to new copper-rated devices.

Homeowners with concerns about the safety of electrical wiring can arrange for an inspection. About Town offers a full 60-point inspection, the results of which are often used for insurance purposes or for the sale or purchase of a home. It’s a thorough check up, where every room is inspected.

“We remove every device, we check every fixture and we check the connections at the panel,” Chalmers explains.

The customer receives a copy of the inspection in writing. About Town arranges for a certificate from the Electrical Safety Authority to give to the customer to indicate any repairs or upgrades that have been done.

Chalmers stresses that About Town does not charge by the hour but bases fees on various levels of service and work is 100 percent guaranteed as is customer satisfaction. She suggests that a whole home rewire is a small investment in your home in terms of improved safety.

To contact About Town Electric go to the website at www.abouttownelectric.com.