How do I know if my house has an old wired electrical system, and why does it matter?
Houses constructed more than 50 years ago may have outdated wiring, panel boxes, and circuit breakers. Many houses built prior to 1960 still contain active circuits that utilize cloth-covered paper wiring, which poses a significant fire risk. Even when the original panel boxes, circuit breakers/fuses, switches, and plugs have been replaced, we often find that they are connected to the original cloth-covered paper wire.
We specialize in rewiring old houses, utilizing a proprietary minimally invasive technique that we have developed over decades. We use the highest quality materials and ensure that your home will be up to date with the latest codes, keeping the safety of your home as our top priority. If you are concerned that your home may have an old wired electrical system and you would like to schedule a time for an in-depth home evaluation, or if you would like to hear more about our rewiring technique, please contact us at (585) 223-2157, or email us at customerservice@unlimitedelectric.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
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My house has an active original old wired electrical system, but no apparent electrical issues. Does that mean it is safe?
Old wired electrical systems are typically constructed from cloth-covered paper wire. This wire was robust when it was new, but over time the insulating properties of the cloth and paper degrade. We often find these wires in various stages of deterioration due to age and exposure - including dry rot, cracks, and breaks. When the insulation surrounding the conductive parts of the wire breaks down, the heat generated by the internal parts of the wire can come into contact with the surrounding building materials. This heat can cause melting and poses a significant fire risk. If you have a home greater than 50 years old with original wiring, or you know that you have an active old wired system, we encourage you to reach out to us to chat and schedule an appointment for an in-home evaluation. Led by our Master Electrician Brian Post, we will complete a thorough assessment of your existing electrical system, and then make our service recommendations to ensure the safety of your home and loved ones. We welcome you to contact us with questions, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for us to complete an in-home evaluation of your electrical system.
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My house needs to be rewired. How long can I expect that to take?
Each rewiring project is different, presenting its own unique challenges. Rewiring an old electrical system is a labor-intensive process that requires our team to systematically replace old circuits with new ones with extreme attention to detail. To replace the old circuits, we must locate and gain access to the original circuits and then run new wires. Since we can’t see into the walls, this can be a time consuming process. Many of our competitors will gain access by cutting large holes into the walls/ceilings/floors, creating large amounts of damage. We at Unlimited Electric have perfected a minimally invasive technique that allows us to strategically open small, targeted areas in the walls/ceilings/floors of your home to gain the access that we need to find the old circuits and create new ones, thereby minimizing damage and the need for substantial repairs. When we come out to evaluate your electrical system, we will give you an estimate of how long we expect the rewiring will take from start to finish. We ask for your patience should we encounter any challenges that your home presents within its unique old wired system.
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What sets Unlimited Electric apart from the rest?
Led by Master Electrician Brian Post, our team has decades of experience providing specialized electrical services to our valued clients. We strive to provide the highest quality services to our customers, while continuously keeping safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction as our top priorities. We stay current with safety codes, and up to date with the newest innovations and trends, ensuring that our final products meet the high expectations of our company and our clients. We are a trusted resource for our many long-term clients, and referrals from our satisfied customers generate many of our valued connections to new clients.
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What are Unlimited Electric’s hours of operation?
We schedule our appointments and non-urgent service calls during the week (M-F), normally from 8 am - 5 pm. We are available for emergency services during business hours, also. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 585-223-2157 or customerservice@unlimitedelectric.com to discuss an electrical issue or to schedule a routine appointment.
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What areas does Unlimited Electric travel to?
We travel in and around the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes area, including but not limited to: Greece, Spencerport, Churchville, Chili, Scottsville, Avon, Lima, Bloomfield, Canandaigua, Victor, Farmington, Macedon, Webster, and Irondequoit.
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What methods of payment does Unlimited Electric accept?
We accept cash, check, and credit card payments.
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How do estimates from Unlimited Electric work?
When we create an estimate for you, we will do our best to accurately anticipate the cost of the supplies and labor that will be required to complete the job. It is important to note that with any job we can run into unexpected issues that require additional or different supplies, as well as increased work time. We always inform our clients of any increase in cost before beginning work, with full transparency. We are happy to work with you to solve unexpected changes.
