DIY pigtail conversion for house aluminum wiring (washer, furnace, paint)
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I have a house in Denver that has Aluminum wiring and plan to sell it in the next year. The Aluminum wiring can be converted to copper at each box using for example Alumiconn connectors.
Im having this house painted now and could hardly find anyone who would "do me a favor" and paint the house. I guess everyone has all the work they want.
If you watch that video, you have to do this conversion at every single box but it is not difficult, mostly just a lot of work.
I am thinking in the time I have to spend trying to find someone to do this, I could just do it myself. Buy a torque screwdriver and the connectors, it does not look hard. Do a polarity and ground test after the mod.
When I go to sell the house, will it be an issue that I was the one who did the conversion rather than a licenced electrician?
I have a house in Denver that has Aluminum wiring and plan to sell it in the next year. The Aluminum wiring can be converted to copper at each box using for example Alumiconn connectors.
Im having this house painted now and could hardly find anyone who would "do me a favor" and paint the house. I guess everyone has all the work they want.
If you watch that video, you have to do this conversion at every single box but it is not difficult, mostly just a lot of work.
I am thinking in the time I have to spend trying to find someone to do this, I could just do it myself. Buy a torque screwdriver and the connectors, it does not look hard. Do a polarity and ground test after the mod.
When I go to sell the house, will it be an issue that I was the one who did the conversion rather than a licenced electrician?
I know that I, as a buyer, would ask if a licensed electrician had done the conversion. I suspect that most buyers would as well. Aluminum wiring has a bad rep with a lot of (well, probably most) buyers, and so I think they would want to ensure that it had been taken care of in the most professional way possible. It may be penny-wise but pound foolish for you to take this project on yourself. Also, can you as an individual ensure that the work is done to code the same as a licensed electrician? That would be important as well.
OP- they may cost more than the connectors but I wouldn't worry about the "was it done by a licensed electrician" because it's an approved receptacle for aluminum wiring. These do not constitute an "approved repair".
Most of the receptacles will be a direct swap- but there maybe occasions where you will still need the connectors. First and foremost, verify that you don't already have the CO/ALR receptacles.
I have a house in Denver that has Aluminum wiring and plan to sell it in the next year.
Having sold a house in Denver with AL wiring to a VERY paranoid first time buyer, this is how I handled it. First, she asked that the wiring be completely replaced at my expense, which is obviously a no-go. So I asked what the main concern was and she said Safety. That warranted a follow-up with a question about her concern being mitigated if an Electrician inspected the wiring and deemed it safe, which is what we settled on. This cost me an hour of labor (under $200) and sold the home as it was the only real issue.
Anyway, the way I see this experience working for you is that you go ahead and do the labor and leave the outlets open for visual inspection. Hire in an electrician who's willing to state that they inspected the work and it met code/was safe AND do a full inspection on any panels you might have (I had 3, main, hot tub and garage). Include that with your disclosure (if your agent suggests, I can see it going either way) as a "I know this will be a concern for potential buyers and have mitigated it" type thing.
I'm also of the opinion that people put WAY too much against aluminum wiring, just as they do against Radon and Asbestos... yeah, those things can be problematic, if you Really go out of your way to make them that way. Of course, you will be guaranteed to have a buyer who is as skittish as possible, and afraid of every little thing. That's just how it works these days... because the risk tolerant (and knowledgeable) folks are buying projects to fix up, not "move-in ready" properties.
I agree with the advice of just making sure your outlets are rated for aluminum wiring. Also, have an electrician check out your system (panel included) and write you letter that they checked it and its OK.
Outlets are probably cheaper than the purple wire connectors.
I have a house in Denver that has Aluminum wiring and plan to sell it in the next year. The Aluminum wiring can be converted to copper at each box using for example Alumiconn connectors.
Im having this house painted now and could hardly find anyone who would "do me a favor" and paint the house. I guess everyone has all the work they want.
If you watch that video, you have to do this conversion at every single box but it is not difficult, mostly just a lot of work.
I am thinking in the time I have to spend trying to find someone to do this, I could just do it myself. Buy a torque screwdriver and the connectors, it does not look hard. Do a polarity and ground test after the mod.
When I go to sell the house, will it be an issue that I was the one who did the conversion rather than a licenced electrician?
You'd think that's what you were asking them, seeing their reaction to my reaction when painters give me their estimate.
Mom got an estimate from a painter. All interior rooms. Walls and (8 ft) ceilings, 2020 SF.
- Kitchen basically has no "walls" to paint. Back splash extends to cabinets which extend to ceiling. There is only ceiling. The only "wall" is a wood paneling which would not be touched.
- Ditto for living room, wood paneling, (some masonry) and a set of built-ins which will remain stained as they are.
- Hallway is wallpaper which would not be touched, only ceiling.
- Hallway bath is wallpaper, which would not be touched, only ceiling.
I have a house in Denver that has Aluminum wiring and plan to sell it in the next year. The Aluminum wiring can be converted to copper at each box using for example Alumiconn connectors.
Im having this house painted now and could hardly find anyone who would "do me a favor" and paint the house. I guess everyone has all the work they want.
If you watch that video, you have to do this conversion at every single box but it is not difficult, mostly just a lot of work.
I am thinking in the time I have to spend trying to find someone to do this, I could just do it myself. Buy a torque screwdriver and the connectors, it does not look hard. Do a polarity and ground test after the mod.
When I go to sell the house, will it be an issue that I was the one who did the conversion rather than a licenced electrician?
Buy the aluminum rated switches and receptacles. Leviton makes them. You can only use aluminum wiring with CO/ALR rated wiring devices. DO NOT use regular switches and receptacles rated for copper only.
If you’re going aluminum to copper you need noalox compound.
You do not need a electrician to do this work. If you do....expect $80-120 a hour rates,
Having sold a house in Denver with AL wiring to a VERY paranoid first time buyer, this is how I handled it. First, she asked that the wiring be completely replaced at my expense, which is obviously a no-go. So I asked what the main concern was and she said Safety.
Almost every house in the US has some aluminum wire in it, as that is what is commonly used between the electric meter and the service/breaker panel in the house.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian_M
I'm also of the opinion that people put WAY too much against aluminum wiring, just as they do against Radon and Asbestos.
I agree. While issues with AL are real, they are easily mitigated. Once taken of, I would not worry about buying a house with AL wiring.
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