ELECTRICAL SERVICE
Electrical Service Upgrades in the Greater Vancouver Area
In the 1970s, many homes were built using aluminum wiring because copper was considered too costly at the time. Unfortunately, the long-term consequence is that many homeowners today need electrical service upgrades, as aluminum wiring has since been identified as unsafe. In fact, aluminum wiring has been linked to numerous house fires and is no longer used in modern residential construction.
If your home still has aluminum wiring, it’s highly recommended that you have it inspected and, if necessary, consider an electrical service upgrade to ensure your family’s safety.
Should I be worried if my home has aluminum wiring?
If you own an older home in the Greater Vancouver Area and know it was built with aluminum wiring, you may be wondering if you should be concerned. The truth is, not all aluminum wiring is immediately dangerous. If it was installed properly, it can sometimes be relatively safe. However, over time, even well-installed aluminum wiring can deteriorate and pose hidden risks.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to have your home’s electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician like Gridline Electric. Our qualified technicians can assess the condition of your wiring and determine if any upgrades are necessary to protect your home and loved ones.
The Problem with Aluminum Wiring and Why You May Need an Electrical Service Upgrade
The biggest issue with aluminum wiring is something called “cold creep.” When aluminum wiring heats up, it expands; when it cools, it contracts. Over time, this constant expansion and contraction causes the wires to loosen at their connections, creating dangerous slack.
On top of this, aluminum wiring oxidizes and corrodes when it comes into contact with other metals. This corrosion reduces the wire’s ability to handle electricity safely, often causing overheating. Eventually, aluminum wires can get hot enough to become a serious fire hazard.
These issues are most common in homes built during the 1960s and 1970s across Greater Vancouver. If your home falls into this category, it’s essential to have your wiring inspected by a professional.
At Gridline Electric, our experienced technicians provide thorough assessments of older electrical systems. If we determine your wiring is unsafe, we can recommend and perform a complete electrical service upgrade — replacing aluminum with modern copper wiring designed to meet today’s safety standards.
In the 1970s, many homes were built using aluminum wiring because copper was considered too costly at the time. Unfortunately, the long-term consequence is that many homeowners today need electrical service upgrades, as aluminum wiring has since been identified as unsafe. In fact, aluminum wiring has been linked to numerous house fires and is no longer used in modern residential construction.
If your home still has aluminum wiring, it’s highly recommended that you have it inspected and, if necessary, consider an electrical service upgrade to ensure your family’s safety.
Should I be worried if my home has aluminum wiring?
If you own an older home in the Greater Vancouver Area and know it was built with aluminum wiring, you may be wondering if you should be concerned. The truth is, not all aluminum wiring is immediately dangerous. If it was installed properly, it can sometimes be relatively safe. However, over time, even well-installed aluminum wiring can deteriorate and pose hidden risks.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to have your home’s electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician like Gridline Electric. Our qualified technicians can assess the condition of your wiring and determine if any upgrades are necessary to protect your home and loved ones.
The Problem with Aluminum Wiring and Why You May Need an Electrical Service Upgrade
The biggest issue with aluminum wiring is something called “cold creep.” When aluminum wiring heats up, it expands; when it cools, it contracts. Over time, this constant expansion and contraction causes the wires to loosen at their connections, creating dangerous slack.
On top of this, aluminum wiring oxidizes and corrodes when it comes into contact with other metals. This corrosion reduces the wire’s ability to handle electricity safely, often causing overheating. Eventually, aluminum wires can get hot enough to become a serious fire hazard.
These issues are most common in homes built during the 1960s and 1970s across Greater Vancouver. If your home falls into this category, it’s essential to have your wiring inspected by a professional.
At Gridline Electric, our experienced technicians provide thorough assessments of older electrical systems. If we determine your wiring is unsafe, we can recommend and perform a complete electrical service upgrade — replacing aluminum with modern copper wiring designed to meet today’s safety standards.