More than 1.5 million Canadian homes were built with knob and tube wiring. It was an early form of electrical wiring that was used up to 1945.
What is knob and tube?
Knob and tube wiring was the earliest standardized method of electrical wiring in buildings. It consisted of single insulated copper conductors run across interior walls or within ceiling cavities, passing through joist and stud drill-holes via protective porcelain insulating tubes, and supported along their length on nailed-down porcelain knob insulators.
Should I replace the knob and tube wiring in my home?
Homeowners should have any active knob and tube wiring inspected for safety. Crawford Electrical recommends the removal and replacement of all knob and tube wiring to upgrade to current electrical standards.
Crawford Electrical can do this inspection for you and provide an expert opinion on replacement of your knob and tube.
How long does it take to replace the wiring?
A typical replacement for a full house will take approximately 2 weeks. During this time, there will only be a short span of no more than 2-4 hours when the home will be without power. Crawford Electrical will fully disconnect and remove (where accessible) the knob & tube wiring and replace it with a modern electrical system.
What else should I be aware of?
As a homeowner, you should have the peace of mind that your electrical system is safe. If you decide to replace your knob and tube, you should be aware that in some cases Crawford Electrical may need to cut into some ceilings and walls. This will mean that you may have to some minor repair work to be done. Our goal is to contribute the minimum necessary damage to your walls and ceilings.
To better understand how much repair work is involved, we have a portfolio of pictures to show you during our initial consultation.