Knob & Tube Wiring found during Home Inspection
Knob & Tube wiring was installed in houses up until about 1950. This system consists or two wires, one black or hot wire and the other white or neutral to create a circuit. These two single wires are held in place with ceramic knobs and tubes. Knobs are used to clamp the wire to the structural member, while tubes are placed in holes in the structural members to prevent the wire from chafing.
Knob and Tube wiring is still found in many Century or older homes. Many times visible wiring in basements and upper floors have been upgraded with the old knob and tube being removed or cut off. The Barrie Home Inspector has performed hundreds Century Homes Inspections and receives many referrals from Real Estate Agents and past clients due to this knowledge.
Unfortunately knob and tube wiring is still being found in attics or places where replacement is difficult. During home inspections I have found homes where there has been a complete re-wiring of home but the electrician has still used live knob and tube in the attic to complete circuits. This would be typically done without the home owners knowledge and is very poor workmanship.
The safety of knob and tube wiring deteriorates as the system ages and deteriorates. Many of the porcelain knobs and tubes may crack or break, old wires sag and fray, and the sheathing turns brittle and falls off, exposing the live wires. Homeowners may improvise their own repairs as replacement parts may not be readily available which results in some very dangerous modifications.
Most insurance companies will not insure your home if you have knob and tube wiring. Finding out this information prior to buying a home is in your best interest. The seller will typically fix this type of problem if identified prior to completing sale of home. Hiring a professional home inspector can save you needless expense and worry. The Barrie Home Inspector offers a 100 % Money Back Guarantee for every inspection.
ESA Safety Comments on Knob and Tube Wiring
Existing knob and tube conductors concealed in walls, floor spaces, etc; supplying general lighting and receptacle circuits are permitted to remain in place if:
• They are protected by a 15 ampere fuse or circuit breaker; and
• No additional outlets have been added to the original installation so as to overload the circuit;
and The conductors, where visible, appear to be in good condition. If your home has knob and tube wiring, we recommend that you follow these guidelines:
• • Have a licensed electrical contractor check the “knob and tube” conductors in your existing installations for sign of deterioration and damage; or request a general inspection from ESA. The General Inspection report will identify visible electrical safety concerns in your electrical wiring.
“Knob & tube” conductors should be replaced where exposed conductors show evidence of mechanical abuse and or deterioration, poor connections, overheating, alterations that result in overloading, or if changes to wiring contravene any section of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
• Homes with knob and tube wiring may not have the electrical capacity to meet today’s needs. As a result, homeowners have modified their electrical system with what the Electrical Safety Authority classifies as unsafe practices:
• Improper use of extension cords – using improperly rates extension cords, or using extension cords as permanent wiring;
• Improper fuse replacement – using 20 or 30 amp fuses to replace 15 amp;
• Improper connections – adding receptacles and outlets on existing circuits or improperly connecting to the knob and tube wiring (this work should be done by a licensed electrician);
• Removing ground pins – ground pins on power bars or electrical equipment should not be removed to accommodate the two pin receptacles used in knob and tube wiring (2 pin to 3 pin are not permitted) Improper replacement of two pin receptacles. If you require a three prong receptacle, only use a GFCI receptacle.
Homeowners who are planning to modify their knob and tube wiring, or any other electrical wiring, should have the work performed by a licensed electrical contractor or electrician and arrange for an electrical inspection by Electrical Safety Authority.
Older homes that have knob and tube wiring will typically have had Asbestos used in their home at one time or another. Have your home professionally inspected prior to purchase and have any suspected Asbestos tested to ensure health and safety of your family. Another common item in older homes are wood stoves and fireplaces. Most insurance companies now require a Certified WETT Inspection prior to issuing home policy. Have your WETT Inspection performed for only $50.00 when part of home inspection package.
Read more about Asbestos Testing in your home.
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