Got called to a 1970s house in Tacoma where the previous guy used aluminum wire with copper devices. Now I'm torn between full rewire and just using Al/Cu connectors. What would you do?

3 comments

3 Comments

Oh man, that's a tough spot. I read a whole article about how those old aluminum connections can get loose and overheat over time. Personally, I'd lean towards the full rewire for peace of mind, even though it's a bigger job. Those Al/Cu connectors are a decent fix, but you're still dealing with the old wire in the walls. It really comes down to what the homeowner is willing to spend.

flores.emma7d ago

Ugh, this is like so many things in an old house. Honestly, you patch one thing just to find the real problem is hidden behind the walls. It feels like putting a band-aid on a pipe that's rusting from the inside out. You end up spending more over time because you didn't want the big cost up front.

bailey.jennifer7d ago

Exactly, and if the aluminum wire is already showing issues at the outlets, the rest of the run is probably just as old and tired. A partial fix now might just move the weak spot somewhere else you can't see.