Home Rewiring: 5 Frequently Asked Questions Every Homeowner Should Know
If improving your home's safety is on your to-do list this year, your electrical system is a great place to start. Outdated or damaged electrical wiring can lead to serious electrical safety concerns—especially in older homes or houses you've recently moved into. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical issues contribute to tens of thousands of home fires each year, with winter being a peak season.
Understanding when and why your home may need home rewiring can protect your family, your belongings, and your peace of mind. Below, we've answered five of the questions we hear most often from Atlanta homeowners.
1. How do I know if my house needs to be rewired?
Electrical wiring naturally ages over time, and even newer homes can experience issues if the wiring system wasn't designed or maintained correctly. Both older homes and homes you've just moved into may show signs of wiring deterioration or outdated materials.
Homes built before the 1950s often contain knob and tube wiring, cloth insulation, or other outdated components that fail to meet modern electrical safety standards. Even homes built decades later may need upgrades if the wiring has been modified, damaged, or overloaded by today's electrical devices.
If you're unsure, our licensed electricians can perform a full electrical safety inspection to evaluate the condition of your home's wiring
2. What are the signs that my house needs rewiring?
You don't need to open walls to spot potential electrical problems. Many warning signs show up through everyday use.
Common indicators include:
- Flickering lights or dimming when appliances turn on
- Frequently tripping breakers or blown fuses
- Burning smells, buzzing sounds, or warm outlets
- Sparks when plugging or unplugging cords
- Frayed, chewed, or exposed wiring
- Overuse of extension cords to reach limited outlets
- Older light fixtures behaving inconsistently
If you notice any of these symptoms, it's time to schedule service with a qualified electrician. Ignoring early signs can increase the risk of electric shock, property damage, or potentially an electrical fire.
Book your electrical repair or safety check today
3. How often should a home be rewired?
While wiring lifespan varies, many experts recommend evaluating your home wiring around the 20- to 30-year mark. Older materials—such as rubber sheathing, lead cabling, or aluminum wiring—can become brittle, loose, or unsafe over time.
If your home is more than 20 years old, or if you've never had the electrical panel or breaker panel inspected, a safety evaluation is highly recommended. A full inspection helps ensure your electrical system meets current codes and supports today's consumer products and technology.
Schedule an electrical inspection
4. Which type of wiring is safest for my home?
When it comes to choosing wiring materials, the debate between copper wiring and aluminum wiring matters for both safety and long-term performance.
Copper Wiring
- Best conductor of electricity
- Durable and corrosion-resistant
- Lower fire risk
- Recommended for modern homes
Aluminum Wiring
Commonly used in some homes from the 1960s-1970s, aluminum wiring is associated with a much higher fire risk due to its tendency to expand, loosen, and overheat. If you suspect your home contains aluminum wiring, contact a licensed electrician immediately to assess your safety concerns.
Learn more or schedule a consultation
5. How long does home rewiring take?
Most home rewiring projects take between 3 to 10 days, depending on:
- The size and age of your home
- Whether walls need to be opened
- The condition of your electrical circuits
- How extensive the upgrade is (partial or full rewiring)
Our team provides a detailed plan before work begins so you know what to expect and how to prepare.
Schedule your Rewiring Estimate Now
Rewire Your Home and Protect Your Peace of Mind
Whether you've lived in your home for years or recently moved into a new house, wiring issues can show up unexpectedly. Faulty or outdated wiring doesn't just cause inconvenient outages it can lead to serious safety hazards.
If you're concerned about old wiring, flickering lights, an outdated service panel, or aluminum wiring, Estes Services is here to help. Our Atlanta electricians deliver safe, code-compliant rewiring solutions so your home is ready for everything you plug in.
Schedule your home rewiring estimate today It's That Easy; It's Estes.
