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I posted two weeks ago about putting new electric wiring in the old house I just purchased.
The electrician has shown me the wiring to the overhead light fixtures and clearly it needs to be replaced in dining room, living room, hall, bathroom and bedrooms.
What is the best way to cut into the old plaster walls to minimize damage?
The technician will be doing the job (a guy who works for the electrician). I am going down Tuesday to watch.
The electrician says his technician does this all the time and he will also spackel; I won't notice the difference.
The alternative idea that I discussed with the electrician, is to use standing lamps (in bedrooms and living room) and sconces (in hallway) and just disconnect overhead light fixtures. (He thinks this is a silly idea, but is agreeable)
Is there attic access for the electrician to work in to run wires? If you have attic above all these rooms, there should be minimal plaster disturbance.
Is there attic access for the electrician to work in to run wires? If you have attic above all these rooms, there should be minimal plaster disturbance.
It is two story; the bedrooms will have minimum damage.
Karen there is no absolute answer to your question because someone would have to assess your particular situation and come up with a plan, ideally you cut as little as possible and if you do have to cut you try and do it in places like a closet. If you have straight/short runs you can use the old wire to pull the new wire through, no cutting necessary. An experienced electrician can do wonders, this is where the 20 years of experience separates the men from the boys.
Karen there is no absolute answer to your question because someone would have to assess your particular situation and come up with a plan, ideally you cut as little as possible and if you do have to cut you try and do it in places like a closet. If you have straight/short runs you can use the old wire to pull the new wire through, no cutting necessary. An experienced electrician can do wonders, this is where the 20 years of experience separates the men from the boys.
How does one use the old wire to pull new wire if it is secured to the studs by staple? I currently have old armored BX cable and i'm just wondering about this...
Also, don't most building codes say the wire has to be secured to structure, ie wire staples, 6-8 inches from every box?
1. Just becasue the wire is ugly, does nto mean there is anyhting wrong with it.
2. The bast way to avoid cutting is to find which way the cieling joists run. Remove some siding on the outside of the house, slide the wire in alonside the joist, then run it down to the basement where you have access to the floor joists and can easily drill through them as needed. Drill a hole up into the wall where the switch is and runt he wire up to the switch. Bingo. No holes. You use more wire, but do not need to make a single hole. You will only be able to staple the wire into place at the termination, at the opening in the outside wall, and in the basement. However that should be sufficient to hold it safely in place.
If you cannot access through an outside wall, sometimes you need to go in through a closet or stairwell where the patch will nto be visible. Sometimes you cna pull up floors and access from above rahter than ripping up a cieling.
Anytime you think there isnot choice but to mke big holes, give it a night and think again. Try to take a completely different approach. Throw out your ideas about what is the normal or correct way to wire it and get creative. Do nto let "experts" tell you ripping out plaster is the only way that it can be done. They are almost always wrong when they say that. You just need to think think think.
If they are planning to patch plaseter with spackle, you need a different electrician.
It your electrician brings a chian saw into your house, throw them out and lock the door.
Stay home and watch them. Do nto be afraid to say "STOP!" and "NO"
How does one use the old wire to pull new wire if it is secured to the studs by staple? I currently have old armored BX cable and i'm just wondering about this...
You can't but I'm used to the really old houses in my area where nothing is ever secured in the walls. BX itself is small nightmare without staples. My Brothers house was just flooded and the entire first floor was gutted. They were able to wire the entire second floor easily without cutting any walls but the wiring was probably 80 years old.
Every house is going to be different.
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