Electrical question - pig tailing

[pinkgreenmover]

Well, it is what it is. We've got aluminum and copper. The house is 40+ years old and has no past incidents of fire. We are the second family to occupy the home. The original owners pigtailed outlets with a red twister, which I'm told was all that was available in the 70s and 80s, to lessen the risks associated with aluminum wiring. We're waiting for quotes to come in from two other licensed electricians, but in the meantime I spoke with the City of Dallas' chief electrical inspector who said pigtailing with current twist-on connectors is still a viable option. He said it's really up to us how far we want to go with repairs/updates since, though it has its hazards, aluminum is not out of compliance as far as code enforcement goes. We are planning to move soon. Obviously we'll have to make some concessions on the sale and want to get electrical updated prior to putting our home on the market. Buyers will have to decide for themselves if this is a deal breaker.

Rakin, thanks a bunch for this info. This was very informative and I feel more educated about our options. What's the source of the newsletter, btw?

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by pinkgreenmover

Well, it is what it is. We've got aluminum and copper. The house is 40+ years old and has no past incidents of fire. We are the second family to occupy the home. The original owners pigtailed outlets with a red twister, which I'm told was all that was available in the 70s and 80s, to lessen the risks associated with aluminum wiring. We're waiting for quotes to come in from two other licensed electricians, but in the meantime I spoke with the City of Dallas' chief electrical inspector who said pigtailing with current twist-on connectors is still a viable option. He said it's really up to us how far we want to go with repairs/updates since, though it has its hazards, aluminum is not out of compliance as far as code enforcement goes. We are planning to move soon. Obviously we'll have to make some concessions on the sale and want to get electrical updated prior to putting our home on the market. Buyers will have to decide for themselves if this is a deal breaker.

Rakin, thanks a bunch for this info. This was very informative and I feel more educated about our options. What's the source of the newsletter, btw?

So you are pigtailing in preparation for a sale? Why? If I were you I would save your money and see if it is really necessary in order to sell the house. To many buyers, pigtailed aluminum wiring is less acceptable than aluminum wiring period. You will get a lot of buyers walking because of the wiring; some may demand that you pay for pigtailing, some may demand that you re-wire the entire house or lower your price accordingly, and you may find one who simply does not care. But if I were you I would wait and see what the market tells you to do.

[lifertexan]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

So you are pigtailing in preparation for a sale? Why? If I were you I would save your money and see if it is really necessary in order to sell the house. To many buyers, pigtailed aluminum wiring is less acceptable than aluminum wiring period. You will get a lot of buyers walking because of the wiring; some may demand that you pay for pigtailing, some may demand that you re-wire the entire house or lower your price accordingly, and you may find one who simply does not care. But if I were you I would wait and see what the market tells you to do.

Good advice.When we sold our house we had all stained concrete floors.Didn't get even a nibble for 2 months.But we waited through a few lookers and then got our realtor to get feedback on exactly what was wanted,and then I did what the realtors suggested.Sold the house before we we even finished the floors and had to guarantee in writing to the buyer that we would finish the floors before closing.Let the market tell you what to do to sell it.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by pinkgreenmover

Rakin, thanks a bunch for this info. This was very informative and I feel more educated about our options. What's the source of the newsletter, btw?

It was part of an email newsletter a home inspector sent my way. If you would like me to forward DM me your email address but what I posted was the main part of the article.

[schmeltzer]

i need the answer to lifertexan quote of "to the replacing all of the devices wih new ones especially made for use with aluminum wiring".... what are these called?? -...my house is all aluminum wiring... i have been getting arcing. called an electrical who wanted $7000. for replaceing all plus new box. i want to just cut back an inch on each connection on the current wiring as i was told it only oxidizes at the point of connection....this wiring has lasted 40 years so by cutting back the orig why wouldn't it last for another 40 years.....?

[Pete53FR]

I bought my home in 1971 in East Dallas. It had aluminum wiring and I had it pigtailed but when I replaced the breaker box all the electrical problems stopped.. My lights don't dim when the A/C starts and I don't have to reset breaker box anymore. In fact its been three years since a breaker switched off.

[lifertexan]

Originally Posted by schmeltzer

i need the answer to lifertexan quote of "to the replacing all of the devices wih new ones especially made for use with aluminum wiring".... what are these called?? -...my house is all aluminum wiring... i have been getting arcing. called an electrical who wanted $7000. for replaceing all plus new box. i want to just cut back an inch on each connection on the current wiring as i was told it only oxidizes at the point of connection....this wiring has lasted 40 years so by cutting back the orig why wouldn't it last for another 40 years.....?

Call a professional electrician and tell him what you want done,ie,new outlets made for aluminum wire..Do not try to do it yourself.Anytime your are dealing with aluminum wiring the risk of more problems on improperly done work is ...well,not insignificant.Best to have a professional do it.

Having said that,Pete has hit upon the key to a safe house.The breaker box.A good quality new breaker box will prevent wiring issues from causing major problems.Any dollars spent on upgrading the electrical system of an old house should start with this.

[Pete53FR]

Originally Posted by lifertexan

Call a professional electrician and tell him what you want done,ie,new outlets made for aluminum wire..Do not try to do it yourself.Anytime your are dealing with aluminum wiring the risk of more problems on improperly done work is ...well,not insignificant.Best to have a professional do it.

Having said that,Pete has hit upon the key to a safe house.The breaker box.A good quality new breaker box will prevent wiring issues from causing major problems.Any dollars spent on upgrading the electrical system of an old house should start with this.

I wish someone would have told me that a long time ago.