There are a few things that need to be considered before making the decision to re-wire your house. There are three main reasons to rewire a house:
1. The age of the wiring
Whilst the copper wire will last for up to 100years, the sheathing and protective outer layer (usually UPVC) starts to decay before then which exposes the live cable and becomes unsafe. If you are living in or considering buying an older house (built pre-1970) the wiring will likely need to be updated.
As a quick guide, if the house has a rewirable fuse board it would be advisable to consider rewiring your house as these were phased out in the mid 1980s. If however you have a more modern fuse board with resettable fuses, then it may be the case that the cabling is suitable for ongoing use.
Are rewireable fuses illegal?
Rewireable fuses aren't illegal, they simply don't meet current regulations.
Like any technology, electrical protective devices have evolved and new regulations are in place to improve safety. Rewireable fuses were introduced in the 1920s and removed from completely by the mid 1980s. Modern circuit breakers are significantly safer and much more user friendly.
Buying a newer home with an up to date EICR will be up to the current building and electrical codes and should not possess serious hazards.
2. Failed Electrical Installation Condition Report
If you don’t know the age of the wiring, it is possible to see how well the cabling is functioning or how old the installation is likely to be. You should instruct a qualified, registered and insured electrician to complete an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
You can instruct these on your own home or on a property you haven’t yet purchased. The electrical safety report identifies faults, areas for improvements and gives a full overview on the wiring system to give you complete peace of mind.
3. Future-proofing your forever home
Some of our customers also choose to rewire their house because they have found their forever home, are carrying out some renovations and want the installation to last for the next 30 years or just want the assurance that there hasn't been any work carried out by a non-competant person.
If you’re still unsure, we offer a free survey to assess the requirements for a rewire. Speak to our team today or book your survey online.