A home remodel of any kind often comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in projects requiring that a wall be knocked down, opened up, or taken out. People are often mistaken in believing that they only have to determine if a wall is not load bearing before they can knock it down to create the open concept floor plan they are envisioning. However, the majority of walls in the interior of a home contain some form of electrical wiring or plumbing systems.

Transforming a space into an open floor plan involves more than taking a sledgehammer to a wall and putting up new drywall or installing new flooring. It could require plumbing to be rerouted and it will surely require work to move electrical wiring and outlets, if not more electrical work. So before you knock down that wall between your kitchen and living room, make sure that you are both expectant of the possible electrical challenges and also careful to avoid causing any dangerous electrical problems.

If you are preparing for a home renovation that will require walls to be taken down, it is important that you are mindful of the home electrical wiring challenges you may encounter. Electrical wiring within the walls should not prevent you from making the renovations you’re hoping for; however, it may extend the timeline of project completion and require some additional work and the expertise of trusted Fort Collins electrical compliance services. Working with a licensed and experienced electrician will help to ensure that any electrical work needed is done properly and up to code in order to ensure the safety of your home and your family.

Electrical Challenges Found Behind a Wall

By simply knocking down a wall, you might discover electrical concerns such as:

• Hidden Wiring: Even if you don’t see an electrical outlet on the exterior of the wall, it is very likely that some sort of wiring organized between the studs. Be careful with how you take off plaster or drywall so that you can avoid hitting or damaging any wires or electrical components such as a junction box. This wiring may connect to light fixtures, appliances or more. To be safe, make sure that the main power is shut off so that there is not live electricity running through the wall while you take it down.
• Outdated Or Faulty Wiring: Depending on when the house was built, you may find yourself with faulty, hazardous wiring. Or you might even uncover signs of an entire electrical system that is outdated and not up to code. These discoveries not only put your safety at risk, but you will be forced to ensure that wiring is compliant to state code in order to pass an inspection.

Whether you simply find wiring that has to be moved or a completely outdated wiring system, hiring a professional electrician will help you to address those issues safely and efficiently so that you are able to move on to the next phase of your renovation plan. Also, remember to be careful whenever you tear down a wall in order to avoid costly issues.

Electrical Challenges of Remodeling Into an Open Concept Floor Plan

Even after knocking a wall down, there will be other electrical challenges that will best be resolved with a licensed and experienced electrician. Among the potential challenges, you could find are:

• Rerouting Wiring: Any electrical wiring discovered within a wall will need to be rerouted and properly secured. Wiring that is not attached correctly to studs or beams using conduits or cable trays with adequate spacing can only put the wire at risk of damage, but also the rest of the house. Electric code also has specific requirements that must be closely followed.
• Ensuring Correct Wiring Size For Needed Functions: Depending on the features and functions of the space you are creating, some wiring may need to be changed so that they can handle the amount of electricity required. Overloading the outlets, wiring, and circuits with more than they are equipped for can cause wires to overheat. An experienced electrician will know the optimal wiring sizes for any room.
• Installing Sufficient Outlets: Losing a wall or two can also cause you to lose a number of electrical outlets. With the help of an electrician, you can determine the number of outlets your family needs and also the best places to put them depending on how the room will be designed and finished. When installing new outlets, you should also ensure that the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GCFI’s) are also installed. These devices will instantly cut off electricity to a plugged-in item if it were to come in contact with water or any other form of liquid or moisture.
• Upgrade Outdated Electrical Systems: It is fairly common to discover outdated wiring or electrical panels during a remodel of an older home. Sometimes, people even discover outdated wiring in homes that should have had modern wiring installed. Regardless, if you find wiring systems that are not up to code or panels that are not adequately equipped to handle the amount of electricity you need, do not hesitate to upgrade in order to improve efficiency and ensure the safety of your loved ones and protect your home and belongings.

Read more about electrical problems during a home remodel.

Northern Colorado Electrical Services

At Peterson Electric, LLC, we provide the high-quality electrical services needed to complete your home remodel and guarantee a safe and functional open concept floor plan. Call us today at (970) 599-1872 for more information or to schedule electrical compliance services that will keep your electrical work up to code.