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Upgrading Old Home Electrical Wiring

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How to Upgrade Older Home Wiring: One consideration when upgrading older home electrical wiring would be to use Wiremold short box extensions and run Wiremold surface raceway electrical conduit between the devices to install the wires.

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Electrical Wiring:I have a home built in 1948. It has two prong outlets. I had the outside and inside box brought up to code. The problem with bringing the rest up is that all interior walls are concrete. How would someone normally rewire a home and add outlets if the walls are concrete. One electrician suggested cutting into the walls horizontally along the walls. I thought that it might jeopardize the integrity of the walls. Most electricians laugh at me on the phone and don’t even give me a quote. Any suggestions would be helpful.

This electrical question came from: Jay, a Homeowner from Fort Myers, FL.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Jay.

How to Install Surface Wiring on Concrete Walls

Application: Upgrading Older Home Electrical Wiring.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Tools Required: Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools for Rough-In Wiring, Electric Drill and Auger Bits, Extension Cords, and Ladders.
Construction Safety: All personal safety measures must be taken when performing remodel projects where you may come into contact with hazardous materials and environmental contaminants such as fiberglass insulation, vermiculite and asbestos, molds or mildew, as well as dust.
Estimated Time: Depends on the extent of the project, the type of wall coverings and structural construction and available access to the project area.
Precaution: Any existing wiring in the immediate area that may interfere with the installation should be identified and turned OFF and Tagged.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring or upgrading existing electrical circuits and wiring should always be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Surface Raceway Conduit for Electrical Wiring
A Solution When You Need to Install Surface Electrical Wiring

  • One consideration when upgrading older home electrical wiring would be to use Wiremold short box extensions and run Wiremold surface raceway electrical conduit between the devices to install the wires.
  • Another possibility is to fur out the concrete walls and each electrical device box the same depth and install the wiring to the devices.
  • When basements are converted to an occupied space the walls are usually furred out to allow for the electrical wiring to be installed.
  • Also, check with your local building department as ask them what is acceptable in your location.

More about Upgrading Home Electrical Wiring

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7 Comments


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120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all projects.


Comments

7 Responses to “Upgrading Old Home Electrical Wiring”
  1. Alex says:
    January 17, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Hi Dave,
    I would like to know how to estimate electrical wiring jobs including the wiring materials and particular knowing the quantity of cables and materials that are needed. Can I get such guidance in your book Complete Guide to Home Electric Wiring?
    Thanks.
    Alex

    • Dave Rongey says:
      January 17, 2013 at 11:07 pm

      Hi Alex,
      Although my new Home Electrical Wiring book is quite extensive I have not included information about Estimating Electrical Jobs or Projects, however I am seriously considering making a separate book for Electricians, Contractors, Inspectors, Handymen and Handy-Women and include how to estimate electrical jobs including labor and materials.
      Thank you for your interest.
      Dave

  2. Franky Blake says:
    January 15, 2011 at 8:36 am

    I have a concrete home that was built in 1944. i was shocked to find out that the r-value of concrete is only r-10 so I have been installing 3/4″ r-5 rated Styrofoam insulation (1 hole sheet tacked with 3/4″ nailers) then 16″ strips of Styrofoam between my nailers :) hopefully getting R-20, but this gives me 2 advantages, insulation and a 1.5″ void to run NEW WIRING :) I run my wiring up from the crawl space and thru conduit inside the walls “maybe an over-kill” but hey better safe than sorry. THANKS DAVE YOU ARE MY HERO :) if I had to pay for all the info I have gotten from you I would might as well hired an electrician. Thanks for the codes and the wiring diagrams you even got me thinking about going to school to get my license cause dang this electrician thing might just be the way to go ;) Many Thanks

    • Dave Rongey says:
      January 30, 2011 at 11:59 pm

      Thanks Very Much, Franky!
      Sorry about the delayed reply, but I have been swamped, so I’m doing my best to catch up between the website questions and the blog comments. I really appreciate your comments which are very encouraging. I hope you come back and visit often. Additional home electrical wiring information is being added all the time with more on the way, so be sure to spread the word!
      Hey Franky, be sure to use nail safety plates on those 1 1/2 inch nailer strips if you are boring holes to install additional wiring. I know exactly what you are doing as I have installed wiring this way when clients decide to finish off their basements or fur out a concrete or cinder block walls. This method works well, but there is very little safe areas for electrical wiring.
      Thanks Again Franky,
      Dave

  3. JB says:
    January 12, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    I recently bought an older home and had a problem with part of a circuit going dead. After investigating I find the problem is due to wires coming out of the back of the recepticle that were just push-ins. Now I am in the process of replacing every recepticle in the house and wrapping the wires around the screws but have found one that even though is turned off in the breaker panel still has .8 volts according to my multimeter. Is there any danger in changing this recepticle out? What precuations do i need to take if any?

  4. Mike Currie says:
    September 23, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    Great advice about the wiring!