While there’s no strict guidance on when to rewire your home, there are several signs that may warrant a rewiring project. At Harkins and Vickers, we recommend a preliminary Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to help you make that decision (more can be found about our EICR service here)
During an EICR, our NICEIC-certified electrician will compile a list of potential dangers and/or recommendations to your electrical systems within the property and if they believe your building will benefit from a rewiring project, they will advise you to do so.
If you are unsure if you need electrical rewiring, there are multiple signs that your home may need a rewire, such as:
- Flickering lights.
- Burning smell (please turn off your electrics if this is present and contact an electrician)
- Discolouration on sockets or switches, such as burn marks
- If you have purchased an older property, it is likely it will have an electrical rewire
- Sparks and electric shocks (please refrain from investigating by yourself and contact an electrician)
- Buzzing and crackling. (If you hear any suspicious noises from your sockets, contact an electrician).
- Any cables that are sheathed in any material that isn’t PVC – such as lead, fabric or black rubber.
- Lack of earthing (green and yellow cabling) present at light switches, sockers or light fittings.
- Signs of overheating on cables, accessories or the consumer unit (also known as a fuse board).
If there are multiple of these issues, your home will likely need rewiring to be a safe property to live or work in.