Poor Home Remodeling Creates Dangerous Attic Electrical Wiring

While there are many remodeling projects that are safe and easy for a homeowner to take on, electrical wiring is best left to the professionals. There are a number of issues that could arise when a homeowner tampers with their wiring. The attic is a common place for inexperienced DIYer to alter their electrical wiring, so look for these signs of a dangerous wiring remodeling project in your attic.

Over-Capacity Electrical Boxes

A common tactic for inexperienced homeowners is to connect a new wire into an old junction box. These plastic boxes are used to house any connections in order to prevent electrocution or a fire hazard. However, each box has a specific number of wires it can safely house.

The exact number depends on the size of the box and the gauge of your wiring. Often, professional electricians will fill a box to capacity when wiring your new home. This means that any additional wires added by a homeowner will fill the box over it’s recommended capacity.

Lack of Junction Boxes

Another typical wiring remodeling mistake is to simply connect two wires outside of a junction box. Some homeowners simply cut and splice a wire using wire nuts. While this creates a circuit and provides power to the new outlet or light, it greatly increases your risk of electrocution or fire.

Contact an Electrician

Take a minute and inspect your attic for either of these issues. The easiest sign to look for is wiring over your insulation. This usually means the wiring was a remodeling project, and may have been performed by an inexperienced homeowner. Look for wire connectors outside of wiring boxes or any other usual wiring. Contact a professional electrician today to inspect your wiring remodeling issue and create a safe, fully functioning electrical system for your home. A professional electrician can easily inspect your attic to determine whether your wiring is installed safely or needs repairs.