| One area of significant concern with older home | | | | Older home inspection today requires catching this |
| inspection is the wiring. During the period between | | | | type of wiring system with recommendations of |
| 1930 and 1950, when household demands for | | | | complete replacement in order to avoid costly or life |
| electricity were much lower, most home wiring | | | | threatening fires. This includes replacement of not |
| included a type of wiring called knob and tube. | | | | only the fuses but the wires as well. Simply put, If |
| Today's homes use much more current to run all of | | | | you upgrade the panel, then replace the wiring as |
| the newer appliances families require to live a | | | | well. |
| comfortable lifestyle. In older homes with this type of | | | | An important side note is that a lot of insurance |
| wiring fires are much more of a risk. | | | | companies will not write or renew policies where |
| A simple trip to the basement of your house can | | | | there is existing knob and tube wiring. Nothing can be |
| reveal if you have this type of current system. If | | | | more frustrating than finding out your proud real |
| you see white knobs attached to the joists with | | | | estate purchase will not be covered prior to closing. |
| wires running through them, chances are this is knob | | | | Rather than hoping your house passes inspection, |
| and tube wiring. The knobs acted as insulators from | | | | make sure your professional older home inspection |
| objects while the ceramic tubing provided the | | | | includes the wiring system and recommendations for |
| support for wires as they travel through floor joists. | | | | replacement before it causes undue headache. |