A job in a 1920s apartment building in Boston made me rethink how I handle old wiring. Do you always replace it or try to patch it up?

3 comments

3 Comments

Honestly, patching it up is just kicking the can down the road. Old wiring is a safety risk, not just an inconvenience. A full replacement is the only responsible fix.

noahpark1mo ago

But a full rewire isn't always possible for everyone. That's a huge cost that can put people in a real bind. Sometimes a safe, professional patch is the only realistic option to keep the lights on while you save up. Calling it irresponsible ignores how much money actually plays into these choices.

leo_thomas228d ago

Quinn is absolutely right about the safety risk. My buddy's apartment had old cloth wiring that started SMOKING behind the walls. The electrician said a patch job someone did years before just hid the real problem. A full rewire cost him a ton, but his insurance wouldn't have covered a fire. Sometimes the responsible fix is the only fix.