When does a domestic property need a rewire ???

[Dozer 73]

see a lot of different threads on here , where people asking for advice on old installations , one tonight even about moving sockets installed in the70’s in metal conduit and 2 core cable
It’s a funny game where not every one thinks the same , know wiring lasts a long time but the accessories get worn , make bad connections to plugs , lamps , switches etc
Personally I’m quite quick to advice a rewire , not for my personal gain tbh
Just wanted to know at what point other people advice a rewire

 

[Midwest]

A friend of mine moved into a property, after obtaining i

I'd have to disagree on the point about 1970's cables being past it. In my experience properly installed quality PVC cables are good for a great deal longer than 20-30 years. Other things excepted, I would not advise a rewire purely on the age of PVC cables.

Well I have to disagree with you. I predate 1970's, and her indoors thinks I'm well past it. In fact she reckons I've only got twenty years left

 

[Dozer 73]

Agreed pvc copper has a very long life , new dB with rcd massive improvement for shock/fire protection , wired smoke alarms yet another improvement
I wonder why all local councils don’t just do upgrades instead of doing full rewires when not really needed , with massive costs of plastering , decorating vouchers , big overheads of contractors ?

 

[KEV 1 N]

I wonder why all local councils don’t just do upgrades instead of doing full rewires when not really needed , with massive costs of plastering , decorating vouchers , big overheads of contractors ?

When I did my house bashing stint many years ago, I often wondered why is this coming out? I sometimes think we ripped out a better installation than the one we put in! And the damage created to rewire a house in a day was unreal....I used to hate it!

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Well I have to disagree with you. I predate 1970's, and her indoors thinks I'm well past it. In fact she reckons I've only got twenty years left

Never mind what the painted one thinks, I predate 1970's and I bloody know I'm well past it, I don't need her reminding me

 

[PEG]

I assumed everybody knew,a full rewire is needed,somewhere between,the Fire Brigade leaving,and the plasterer arriving...tell me i'm wrong?

 

[John Guy]

This is an interesting read. It's been suggested that I rewire my property. The original part of the property is old colour wires on a not at all modern CU. I was under the impression that old colour wires were fine as long as old colour wires were used for any additional sockets i.e. not mixing and matching
I was sold on the idea/fear after hearing my property has no earth.
Now, how does this fit in with the discussion? Apart from don't touch anything metal and connected to electricity...

 

[John Guy]

P.S. if I'm hijacking the thread, tell me, I've got thick skin!

 

[telectrix]

This is an interesting read. It's been suggested that I rewire my property. The original part of the property is old colour wires on a not at all modern CU. I was under the impression that old colour wires were fine as long as old colour wires were used for any additional sockets i.e. not mixing and matching
I was sold on the idea/fear after hearing my property has no earth.
Now, how does this fit in with the discussion? Apart from don't touch anything metal and connected to electricity...

it's perfectly fine to mix old and new colour cables. in fact, we're not allowed to use red/black anymore. a sticker is placed on the CU indicating 2 versions of colours used.

the only way to determine if a rewire is needed is to get the installation inspected and tested. you would then receive a consition report (EICR) with recommendations for any improvements required.

 

[John Guy]

I'm getting the report done Wednesday. I'll, erm, report back

 

[John Guy]

Here's the report, which doesn't look that bad...
There's some stuff that obviously needs doing, but I'm not so sure on a rewire now
P1

P2

P3

P4

P5

P6

 

[Andy78]

Most of those codes I would take issue with. Also they have recorded no main earth yet recorded Zs values for each circuit. Something is a bit odd there.

 

[KEV 1 N]

Also, the type of system has not being ticked.

 

[plugsandsparks]

The readings for ZS are high though. Photo of service head might give a clue to system type or he didn't know what it was supposed to be. Pretty impressive though to have no earth or bonding.... wonder what happened to it..

 

[Dozer 73]

Mmm some thing doesn’t add up there with the earths and loop readings , also ins res to earth
Some of his comments are hard to make out , writing should be a bit clearer
I’d also guess installation older than 25 years , but it is a rough estimation

 

[Dozer 73]

Also no ring results on sockets but wired in 2.5 t and e on 30A fuse

 

[Dozer 73]

Personally looks like a rewire to me , safety , investment , that’s my personal opinion
But hey it could also have a few improvements and be fine for years to come , that’s why I started this thread
Perfect example for the thread

 

[Octopus]

Here's the report, which doesn't look that bad...
There's some stuff that obviously needs doing, but I'm not so sure on a rewire now
P1

P2

P3

P4

P5

P6

You should seek a 2nd opinion regarding those codes ...

How big is the home and how long was the "inspector" in it?

 

[Andy78]

He's in my neck of the woods. I would not be surprised at a lack of earthing conductor. Most service heads never had the facility and there are plenty still without.

Still, the wrong codings ring alarm bells as to the legitimacy of the report.

 

[Dozer 73]

I’ve heard of lead water pipes being used as earths and when properties get upgraded water supplies they loose main earth

 

[Octopus]

Maximum demand @ 100 Amps looks very fishy too.

 

[John Guy]

Andy78, I see you are in Hull!

He's in my neck of the woods. I would not be surprised at a lack of earthing conductor. Most service heads never had the facility and there are plenty still without.

Still, the wrong codings ring alarm bells as to the legitimacy of the report.

I am in your neck of the woods. Are you busy tomorrow morning or next Wednesday morning for a second opinion?

 

[John Guy]

...How big is the home and how long was the "inspector" in it?[/QUOTE]
It's a small two bed, with extended kitchen.
He was about 10-15 minutes under the stairs. I don't know if this is usual

 

[Dozer 73]

Why no r1 r2 when he’s stated earth sizes of cables also why no ins res between L and N , looks more of a visual test he’s carried out here

 

[Dozer 73]

Why no r1 r2 when he’s stated earth sizes of cables also why no ins res between L and N , looks more of a visual test he’s carried out here

 

[Dozer 73]

Why no r1 r2 when he’s stated earth sizes of cables also why no ins res between L and N , looks more of a visual test he’s carried out here