Homeowners may need to be schooled in what to expect from an upgrade, including the real possibility that their home will not be wired in the same way that a new home would be, since the way wiring was installed 50 years ago has changed substantially. That alone can minimize the necessary damage dramatically.Ĭheck your local codes to make sure you know what your responsibility is in this situation, but to really minimize damage during an upgrade, starting with reusing old wiring is paramount. You’ll need a visual on as much of the wiring as possible so you know if the wiring type remains adequate for the load center involved in the upgrade, but if what’s exposed in attics and crawls looks serviceable, there’s usually not a reason to actually replace all of the wiring. In many cases, you can test the integrity of wiring to determine if it’s still properly insulated and safe to use with tools that can provide information on resistance and load. The less damage, the smaller the mess – and the more likely those homeowners will invite you back. If you can hide those holes under fixtures or within outlets, obviously that’s the best route to take. Obviously, you should be doing all you can to minimize wall damage and leave enough behind that the wall can be patched easily, but a small hole saw can make quick work of lath and plaster, providing adequate access for most jobs. Knowing this, designing a contract that protects you from responsibility from damage due to reasonable and necessary openings in the wall is vital. After all, outside walls can be hard to fish if an attic is short or the slope is inadequate or if there’s not a good crawlspace. When you’re doing a rewire in a home with lath and plaster, there is a high probability that you’re going to have to bust some of the plaster out in order to access difficult to reach spots. Although it’s not a lot different from running wiring anywhere else, there are some considerations when upgrading wiring in older homes, especially those with lath and plaster. For other electricians, though, the idea of jumping into rewiring can be a compelling, if not intimidating thought. After all, there are plenty of places where knob and tube still exist and insurance companies or electrical code demand it be upgraded. If it feels loose, replace it with new plaster or pin it down with plastic washers.For some electricians, rewiring older houses is their bread and butter. The plaster has to adhere to the wood lath in the wall in order to be sturdy. It could get in the way of the new material you install. Remember to remove all the loose plaster inside the hole as well.You will notice it as you look through the hole. Plaster walls generally include a wood surface called a lath.Make sure the existing plaster is flat and smooth so the new plaster adheres to it properly. The easiest way to do it is by lightly tapping the loose plaster with a hammer or paint scraper, then sanding the edges of the remaining plaster with 120-grit sandpaper. Remove enough of it to create a flat, stable base for the new coat of plaster needed to cover the hole. Clear out the bits of plaster hanging around the hole’s opening. Remove the loose or damaged plaster around the hole.
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