Rewire Code requirements

[baronjames]

I found this site via google and hope someone can help me. I'm a private home owner and my home is 48 years old. I live the Tampa Bay, Florida area. I was recently told that when my home turns 50 years old that due to code requirements I would have to have my home rewired or I would probably lose my home owners insurance. I was additionally told that if I tried to sell my home I'd have to have it rewired to bring it up to code. Can someone either verify this or direct me to some sources where I might find the answers I need? If this is true, I need to make some decisions, like knocking the house down and rebuilding!

Thank you in advance for your help.

Jim

 

[roger]

Re: Rewire Code requirements

Although listening to some of those from Tampa, this sounds like some stupidity that might take place there, I seriously doubt it is true.

Here is the City of Tampa web page

Roger

 

[petersonra]

Re: Rewire Code requirements

The age of your home's wiring is probably not an issue. Some federal government lending programs do have some minimum requirements or they will not guarantee a mortgage for the property.

I doubt there is a rule that just because a home is 50 years old that it automatically violates some rule.

Who gave you this dubious information?

You might want to call the code enforcement office in tampa and see what they have to say.

<added>
There are some legitimate safety issues with some wiring that might have been done way back when. A real electrician can tell you for sure.

Often when a home is sold the potential buyer uses code violations as a way of getting the seller to lower the price.

There are a few legit issues though:

1 - Potential use of aluminum house wiring.
2 - Branch circuit wiring without ground wires.
3 - No GFCIs.

Not an all inclusive list, just a few things that could be an issue.

It is also quite possible that your home has an inadaquate circuits, or even a service that is undersized for modern electrical usage.

Only your electrician knows for sure.

[ January 28, 2006, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: petersonra ]

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: Rewire Code requirements

If this is an "electrician" trying to drum up business you should turn him in immediately.

 

[jeff43222]

Re: Rewire Code requirements

I'd be extremely suspicious of this information. It sounds to me like an unscrupulous electrician told you this as a way to drum up business. If that's the case, I agree with Scott: The authorities should be informed. I'm sure the licensing authorities would be interested in anyone who perpetrates frauds like this.

Although I'm in the frozen north and not familiar with Tampa, I've never heard of any rule that is triggered when a house turns 50, nor any requirement that a house be rewired and brought up to code when it is sold.

As for your homeowner's insurance, that question can be answered easily with a call to your insurance agent.

As for buying and selling, Tampa probably has a "truth in housing" agency that will know about requirements for sale of a house. Where I live, an pre-sale inspection is required, but the only electrical changes that are required are generally minor things or correction of something that is obviously unsafe.

Just because wiring is old and not compliant with today's code doesn't mean it all has to be replaced. My own house was built in 1922 and still has quite a bit of the original wiring in use.

 

[Minuteman]

Re: Rewire Code requirements

As long as the old wiring was installed properly at the time, your only worries would be like the aluminum wire etc. Also, I have run into a lot of old cloth wrap wire that the insulation breaks down in the conduit.

Even "knob & tube' is a legal method today, if it is done according to code.

On the other hand, re-wiring with the wall covering still intact is possible. If your home is a single story, or a two story with adequate crawl space under the first floor, a re-wire is not all that complicated.

But reason given sounds fishy to me.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Rewire Code requirements

Originally posted by baronjames: I was recently told that . . . or I would probably lose my home owners insurance.

The fastest and easiest (and it's even free) way to put your mind to rest is to call your insurance company. They will tell you that this is nonsense.

 

[GUNNING]

Re: Rewire Code requirements

I'm in Gainesville FL and occasionally I get a call saying there insurance company wont insure a house that is wired with knob and tube. Its in their questionnaire as to insurability. Isurance companies are looking for anyway they can to reduce there risk in Florida after Andrew, Katrina and Rita among others. Its a tuff market here. As to the insurance industry, they own the market and everything associated with it here.