Do you have aluminum wiring in your home? Is it safe?

At a recent Leavenworth home inspection we noticed aluminum wiring to the water heater and oven.  The home owner had some questions so we answered them.

Aluminum wiring became a popular alternative for use in residential construction during the 1960’s when the price for copper sky rocketed.  Underwriter Laboratories had previously approved aluminum wiring for interior branch circuitry as early as 1945.  Contractors searched for relief from the high copper prices and found aluminum to be an acceptable substitute.  The key to this conversion from copper to aluminum was in the installation.

 At the time very little stress was put on the aluminum wiring creep rating (rate of expansion and contraction) and not much information was provided on the proper installation of aluminum wiring.  Some things to consider when working with aluminum wiring is that it is much softer than copper and can’t withstand as much stress when pulled.  Therefore, aluminum wiring can become damaged if nicked or bent at extreme angles.  It also has at least one wire gauge larger than its copper counterpart for each current rating.  All terminations such as switches and receptacles must be properly rated Al or Cu/Al for the use of aluminum branch circuitry wiring.

 Due to limited code enforcement and the lack of information provided to home builders several homes built within the mid 1960-70’s were not outfitted with the proper type of receptacles, switches and other required devices.  Oxide inhibitors are successful in sealing out moisture and air while preventing oxidation but, unfortunately, were not widely used at this time.

 The misunderstanding of aluminum wiring installation methods enabled the theory of aluminum being an unsafe material.  What happened?  When dissimilar metals come in contact it causes galvanic corrosion and oxidation occurs at the screw head terminals.  The process weakens the terminal at the switch or receptacle.  As the branch circuit is energized the aluminum and copper wires expand and contract at different rates causing the terminal at the switch or receptacle to loosen.  The loose connections can allow arcing and pitting, creating a hazard for shock or fire, and eventually causing the circuit to fail.

 Is aluminum wiring safe?  The surprising answer is yes!  We inspect several older homes every year that still contain aluminum branch circuitry wiring and it is in serviceable condition.  Aluminum wiring has never been the problem.  The installation can dictate the longevity or security of any material.  The science behind the reaction and expansion rates of different materials has allowed us to understand mistakes made with aluminum branch circuitry wiring.  Aluminum wiring is still commonly used in new construction, particularly on larger circuits that do not require multiple terminations to various devices.

 Is your home is outfitted with aluminum branch circuitry wiring?  Identify your concerns with an AMS Home Inspection.  A thorough evaluation of each of the branch circuitry wiring must be performed to ensure your home and family’s safety.

Pre-listing home inspections are worth every dollar and more!

Pre-listing home inspections from Seattle to Wenatchee, Leavenworth and Lake Chelan.

Ready to sell your house?  Give yourself an edge in this tough market with a pre-listing inspection. 

Sell your home faster! Put your best foot forward from the beginning and let buyers know that you have nothing to hide.

Receive better offers when you have disclosed the true condition of the property with a pre-listing inspection report. Avoid “low ball offers.”

Eliminate price negotiations based on the buyer’s inspection. If you’ve priced the home based on the pre-listing inspection’s findings then you’ve decreased the reasons for price negotiations after mutual acceptance.

Avoid walk-away buyers by removing surprises. Frustrated buyers will often walk away from a deal when the inspection report exposes concealed repairs.

The price is right! Resolve all issues before the house goes on the market and price it accordingly. Don’t want to fix it? Reflect the current condition in the listing price.

Increase profits when you have completed the repairs yourself. Even minor findings in the buyer’s inspection can result in profit losses. The buyer will frequently provide the higher contractor bid while you would have chosen the best value bid.

HERE’S A COUPON FOR YOUR PRE-LISTING INSPECTION!

pre-listing home inspection coupon

Selling your house? Order a “pre-listing” home inspection in Wenatchee & Seattle areas to sell fast and increase your profit.

Give yourself an edge in this tough market with a pre-listing inspection.  Most folks only order an inspection when they are purchasing a home.  We believe home sellers have a lot to gain when they order an inspection before their home goes up for sale.  Here are a few reasons:

Sell your home faster!  Put your best foot forward from the beginning and let buyers know that you have nothing to hide.

Receive better offers when you have disclosed the true condition of the property with a pre-listing inspection report.  Avoid “low ball offers.”

Eliminate price negotiations based on the buyer’s inspection.  If you’ve priced the home based on the pre-listing inspection’s findings then you’ve decreased the reasons for price negotiations after mutual acceptance.

Avoid walk-away buyers by removing surprises.  Frustrated buyers will often walk away from a deal when the inspection report exposes concealed repairs.

The price is right!  Resolve all issues before the house goes on the market and price it accordingly.  Don’t want to fix it?  Reflect the current condition in the listing price.

Increase profits when you have completed the repairs yourself.  Even minor findings in the buyer’s inspection can result in profit losses.  The buyer will frequently provide the highest contractor bid while you would have chosen the best value bid.

We’ve seen a greater interest in pre-listing inspections recently.  Motivated sellers are using this effective tool to sell their home faster.