We understand the appeal of retro or vintage inspired apartments and houses, but that doesn’t mean that you should love the wiring too. Old houses in New York City are prone to catch fires due to weak wiring and improper electrical upgrades. Because of this reason, it is highly advisable to have your wiring updated by experienced and licensed professionals. If you’re still unconvinced of the dangers of outdated wiring systems, you should read the blog below.

The Problem With Outdated Wiring: New York City Addition

Do you live in a rickety apartment from the 70’s? Or maybe a row house from before the war? You might not think much of it, but we’re here to tell you that those ancient wires aren’t safe to be around. Not only do they violate modern safety standards, but they aren’t equipped to handle heavy machinery like window ACs and washers. To learn all about the old house wiring dangers nyc, you should read the section below.

Here is a look through all that can go wrong due to ancient electrical wiring in NYC

Fire Breakouts

The biggest concern with outdated wiring is electrical fires. If you live in a property from the early to the mid twentieth century, your cables are probably insulated with cloth or rubber. Over time, the insulation flakes off. This leaves the wires exposed behind walls and can often lead to devastating electric fires. 

Electric Shocks

Even if you don’t think that things can get that bad, do you really want to risk getting shocked as you turn on a light? The knob and tube wires from before the 1940’s don’t have any grounding wires. This means that there is nowhere for any excess electricity to travel to. You could easily get electrocuted if you have this kind of wiring at your property.

Arc Faults

Even if your wires are from the 1960s to the 1970s,  they’re probably made of aluminum. These wires expand and contract more than the modern copper wires. This eventually leads to loose connections and arc faults. This doesn’t just mean that your outlets won’t work properly; but also that you’re likely to experience fires.

Appliance Damage

If your house only has two pronged outlets, it’s also a cause for concern for your devices and appliances. Your television, dishwasher and dryer are in danger of ground faults that could lead to expensive repairs and costly replacements.

Overloaded Circuits

If your house has a fuse box or an electrical panel that hasn’t been updated for over forty years, you might be experiencing an overloaded circuit. Older technology wasn’t meant to bear the burden of modern appliances like garbage disposals, ACS and microwaves, causing them to overload, trip or catch fires.

Fast Spread

Since we’re talking about older neighborhoods in New York, let’s consider the layout of areas such as Queens and Brooklyn. Since the houses are so close together, if even one of them catches a fire due to outdated wiring, the rest of the neighborhood is sure to suffer almost immediately. This can turn a small electrical issue into a large scale life-threatening hazard.

Safety Code Violations

You might be satisfied with those hanging wires and loose connections, but the local building departments certainly are not. Outdated wiring in New York is a great way to end up with hefty fines for neglect and endangerment.

Hidden Dangers

Not all problems are obvious. Even if your wiring and electrical panel look alright, chances are that there might be pests like rats that could have chewed through the cables or mold and water damage that could lead to a huge disaster. Solution? Have an electrician inspect and update the system.

Junction Box Hazards

If you have a junction box instead of an electric panel, you’re in danger. Period. Those old wires can easily loosen, or become oxidized; resulting in overheated systems, electrocutions and fire hazards in the blink of an eye.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, outdated wiring in New York City is a huge cause for concern. It can overload the system, burn down entire neighborhoods and damage your electrical appliances. If you don’t believe us, go ahead and do a quick search for ‘old house wiring dangers nyc’ and you’ll see what we mean. We highly advise having your electrical system evaluated and updated by a professional electrician as soon as possible and wish you stay safe. If you have any more questions, please drop us a line.

FAQs

How often should electrical wiring be inspected?

To keep up with modern safety standards, you should have it inspected every 10-15 years.\

How often should wiring be replaced?

Depending on its condition, electrical wiring should be replaced once every 25-30 years.

What are some signs that my wiring needs to be looked at?

Frayed wiring, flickering lights, burning smells and warm outlets indicate that you need expert intervention.