Knob and Tube Wiring - Common Hazards and Risks

If you are a Vancouver homeowner whose house was built before the 1940s or 1950s, it is likely that your Vancouver home’s electrical wiring was done in the conventional knob and tube (K&T) wiring style. You probably know that now our energy needs and requirements have shifted with a greater emphasis on electrical safety. Also, it is worth noting that technology has improved, and there are many safer alternatives to knob and tube (K&T) wiring systems.

However, it is no secret that still many buildings in Vancouver have knob and tube (K&T) wiring, which can pose many risks to homeowners and their families as many hazards are associated with this type of wiring.

What is Knob-and-Tube Wiring?

We can define knob and tube wiring (K&T) as cloth wiring that uses a combination of tubes and knobs. Keep in mind that the wiring runs through knobs (ceramic cylindrical holders) and tubes that help protect wiring through the wood that it runs through.

The knobs are nailed directly into either floor joists or your wall studs in order to act as anchors for this type of wiring. It is worth noting that one of the biggest differences between knob and tube (K&T) wiring and today’s modern wiring is that this wiring system does not have a ground wire.

Keep in mind that the ground wire is a crucial safety feature. This is because if something goes wrong in your home, the ground wire provides a path to offload excessive electricity.

Today, K&T wiring is not inherently dangerous; however, you should know that it’s considered outdated. It is also a possible fire hazard. This is why if you have not worked with electrical equipment and wiring systems in the past, you should hire a professional electrician in Vancouver to make sure that everything is installed or repaired safely and correctly. A professional technician has years of experience and will help you.

Problems and Issues with Knob-and-Tube Wiring

Rogue Voltage Danger

Did you know that knob and tube (K&T)wiring systems are ungrounded? This means there is usually no protection or safety mechanism when faults occur. Keep in mind that excess voltage can easily arc out of various outlets and devices in your home, which is a grave safety hazard for you and your family.

Insulation Wear and Tear

Usually, rubber insulation is used in a knob-and-tube wiring system. The insulation may become brittle and even break or wear out, particularly with age. Always keep in mind that cloth insulation is a great fire hazard.

No Ground Wire

This is one of the biggest downfalls and risks of knob and tube (K&T) wiring. The lack of a ground wire is a serious issue. This is because a ground wire helps protect against fires as well as other damage to your electrical components and parts by conducting excess electricity conveniently and harmlessly into the ground. Due to the lack of a ground wire, knob, and tube (K&T) wiring may cause electrical fires.

Vulnerable to Degradation or Damage

There is no doubt that old components and parts degrade and may break down with time. Note that if any of the components to your wiring system break, it will likely be a serious problem and even a serious safety hazard. On the other hand, modern systems are considerably more resilient.

Limited Amperage

Another downside to the knob and tube (K&T) wiring system is the limited amperage. Keep in mind that in the past, when knob and tube wiring systems were popular, families didn’t use as much power as they do these days.

Why Knob and Tube (K&T) Wiring is Dangerous

Did you know that Knob and tube wiring is an obsolete technique that hasn’t been used as a standard by professionals electricians for about seventy years? One of the main concerns is that porcelain and ceramic knobs and tubes in this system can easily degrade and crack. Keep in mind that this diminishes their ability to safely and properly support and route the wires.

Insulation over the Wiring

It is worth noting that if household insulation, such as clothing, is installed over K&T wiring, a fire can easily break out, and you don’t want that. You may know that the wiring is usually coated with rubber/cloth insulation. As a result, it needs plenty of space in order to dissipate the heat that can build up whenever an electrical current is flowing through. And if there is no room because it has been covered with inadequate insulation, it creates a dangerous situation.

Poor with Moisture

Apart from being located underground, note that knob and tube (K&T) wiring is not rated for moisture. And this is why it is especially dangerous when you use it in wet areas of your home, such as bathrooms or kitchens.

Easily Overlooked

You probably know that in most cases, K&T wiring is buried in insulation and is forced into contact with various building materials. As this kind of wiring releases heat into the air, it presents yet another fire hazard.

Age

Generally, K&T wiring systems range from 70 to 130 years old. Note that even if the system in your home has been working for some time, remember that this old and obsolete wiring does not have the capacity and safety required for a modern home. This is why if you use this kind of wiring for all modern electronics, appliances, and devices in your home, it might become overloaded and cause a fire.

Other Issues

And that is not all; there are other hazards and risks associated with knob and tube work near any fiberglass insulation. Also, it is worth noting that there are many risks in attaching any new electrical work to dated knob and tube wiring systems in your home.

How to Know if Your Home has K&T Wiring?

If you are not sure whether your home has knob and tube (K&T) wiring, you don’t have to worry. In order to identify this type of wiring in your Vancouver home, you should look in your attic and basement for ceramic knobs (white), usually nailed to exposed joists. It is worth noting that the electrical wires and cables snake through the knobs in order to support the wiring strands. Also, the tubes protect all the loose wires in your home.

Home Insurance Issues

Keep in mind that if your home has K&T wiring and it is still in use, you will likely find that many home insurance companies in the city will hesitate to sell you an insurance policy. Did you know that many insurance companies simply refuse to insure homes and properties with this kind of wiring?

On the other hand, some might insure your home after your system has been thoroughly inspected and deemed safe by a qualified and experienced electrician in Vancouver. This is why you should work with an experienced and professional Vancouver electrician.

Also, ensuring a home that has a knob and tube wiring is usually expensive. This is because there might be liability associated with old wiring systems, such as knob and tube.

Hire a Vancouver Electrician

While you don’t have to replace your knob and tube wiring system, as a homeowner, you should seriously consider a replacement. And at a minimum, homeowners with K&T wiring must have it inspected thoroughly by a licensed and experienced electrician in Vancouver.

So, if your home or commercial building, such as an office, has knob and tube wiring, it is an excellent idea to contact a professional electrician right away. The electrician can inspect the problem or issue and make suitable recommendations about what you have to do in order to improve the overall safety of your home or building.

It is not a good idea to put off this call. This is because the longer the knob and tube wiring system is left in place and left unchecked, the more likely it’s to cause a fire or some other electrical problem and you don’t want that.

As you can see, a home with a conventional knob and tube wiring is tricky with many potential dangers and risks. If you are not sure what type of wiring system is in your home, a home inspection will help you in this regard.

These professionals take the time to adequately inspect the wiring system in your home to make sure that you face no issues down the line. You should get in touch with a professional electrician in Vancouver near you, and a fully certified and experienced expert will be able to help and assist you.