Electrical Inspection | Open House | Ask This Old House

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  • Опубликовано: 11 май 2021
  • In this video, Ask This Old House Master Electrician, Heath Eastman, explains what to look for during a home electrical inspection.
    SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.
    When you’re looking to buy a new house, it’s a good idea to go through the process to see what you’re getting yourself into. In this video, Master Electrician Heath Eastman talks all about electrical work and what you should look out for when prepping for a home inspection.
    Inspecting the electrical work is an opportunity to get a sense of what you’ll have to work with and the things you’ll need to be mindful of when making improvements down the line. Heath walks you through what he would be looking at during a home inspection, so you can be better prepared for your own.
    Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
    Cost: $0
    Skill Level: Beginner
    Tool
    Voltage tester [amzn.to/3vKLJKR]
    Where to find it?
    Home inspectors can usually help inspect the electrical in a house during the home inspection.
    To test the receptacles to ensure they’re properly grounded, Heath used a voltage tester. The one he has is a RT110 Receptacle Tester [amzn.to/3vKLJKR] by Klein Tools [www.kleintools.com/].
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    Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/st...
    About Ask This Old House TV:
    From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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    Electrical Inspection | Open House | Ask This Old House
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Комментарии • 81

  • @electricalron
    @electricalron 3 года назад +25

    I'm a licensed electrician with 31-years experience in this trade. This is an informative and completely accurate take on wiring in old houses. The older the house, the more TLC is needed. Don't forget your smoke detectors.

    • @timothykentlawson9822
      @timothykentlawson9822 2 года назад +1

      Agreed! 👍

    • @dwaynes5983
      @dwaynes5983 5 месяцев назад

      and fire extinguishers. When we brought our home, I installed 9 fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon

  • @susanfrombflo8368
    @susanfrombflo8368 2 года назад +2

    I love how calm Heath delivers his advice, and his assurance not to freak at any problems you find at first. Thank you!

  • @T0M3K6
    @T0M3K6 3 года назад +9

    I am not an electrician, but one of the things I would look for is ensure that circuit breakers are rated for wire gauge. I seen it often and when people shove 20 Amp breaker on 15 Amp circuit because it used to trip

    • @BitmappedWV
      @BitmappedWV 3 года назад +2

      @WAYNE Picnot You can put a 20-amp receptacle on a 20-amp circuit with 12-gauge, but it is not required unless it’s the only receptacle on the circuit.
      Unless you’re using appliances that draw 20 amps, which has a different plug configuration where one of the prongs is horizontal, there’s no benefit to installing 20-amp receptacles. They’re more expensive and 99.9% of the stuff you’d ever use works just fine on a 15-amp receptacle.

    • @rupe53
      @rupe53 3 года назад

      @WAYNE Picnot ... yes, code allows for multiple 15 amp outlets on a 20 amp branch circuit. (USA) All 15 amp outlets are rated for a 20 amp pass-through. As soon as we're talking a larger appliance it may need a dedicated 20 amp circuit with a single outlet also rated at 20 amps.

  • @starr234
    @starr234 2 года назад

    Thank you for this! I have a 100 year old home. I'm having an electrician come out today to check my electric system. Now, I know what to expect and I know not to panic!

  • @tokencivilian8507
    @tokencivilian8507 3 года назад +15

    A well put together, sensible, "just the facts" episode. Well done TOH.

  • @jblyon2
    @jblyon2 Год назад +1

    On the subject of fuse boxes, they're perfectly safe so long as they're in good condition and the proper size fuses are installed (it was VERY common to oversize fuses back in the day when circuits were overloaded). However, most major mortgage lenders will not issue a mortgage on a home with a fuse box. They will require it to be changed to a modern breaker panel before closing on the loan.

  • @pilotguy1141
    @pilotguy1141 3 года назад +4

    After seeing Holmes On Homes wood houses with electrical nightmares hidden in drop ceilings and behind drywall scares the living hell out of me

  • @tommycho9068
    @tommycho9068 3 года назад +3

    Good point and I like the new electrician.
    Thank you.

  • @jasonderan7678
    @jasonderan7678 3 года назад +1

    Great video and thanks for advice !!!!

  • @timrandall4659
    @timrandall4659 3 года назад +6

    Should talk about Federal Pacific Electric panels. My insurance company said they wouldn't even insure the home with that box in the house.

    • @HaploBartow
      @HaploBartow 3 года назад

      That's correct... no insurance company will. They are faulty.

    • @donc-m4900
      @donc-m4900 3 года назад

      I thought it was the grounds fault.

    • @steveloux4709
      @steveloux4709 3 года назад

      @@HaploBartow whether or not, "no insurance company will" remains to be seen. The fact is there are lots of the FPE panels and sub-panels still in service. Regardless of the insurance company's position, the Consumer Products Safety Commission found these breakers fail to properly open half the time; this should cause every homeowner to proactively change them out, irrespective of the requirements and opinions of others.

  • @tchads_57
    @tchads_57 3 года назад +2

    As an FYI: Use caution when checking older outdoor cables (cloth insulation) not in conduit that exit the meter to the panel. I saw one break after it was unintentionally hit by children playing outdoors. Fortunately, no one was injured but it was still live until the electric co. pulled the meter. That was 50+ years ago so the odds of seeing one may be slim.

  • @josephkajani3703
    @josephkajani3703 2 года назад

    Great Insight.. Electrician from Kenya!

  • @applianceman6194
    @applianceman6194 3 года назад +13

    I am surprised he is not pulling the cover to inspect point of contact of breakers...the Buss Bar

    • @GilbertAppleby
      @GilbertAppleby 3 года назад +8

      I think this is just for homeowners. If you can safely inspect them, I totally agree.

    • @BillC-64
      @BillC-64 3 года назад

      @@GilbertAppleby At the beginning he refereces the purchase of a house and the need to have that inspected, so this should be an overview of what to expect from a proper electrical inspection as it would be part of the overall home inspection.

  • @N-hunter
    @N-hunter 3 года назад +5

    “Proper connectors used” as he pointing at 4 romex cables installed in one MC twin

    • @N-hunter
      @N-hunter 3 года назад +2

      @@Kevin-mp5of maybe you should look again 2:06

  • @rhondamiles9922
    @rhondamiles9922 2 года назад

    Does asbestos wiring have to be replaced entirely? My house was built in 1947 w a full basement 1st floor and 2nd floor. I Need to replace the incoming wire from the pole to the outer box. Obviously want to replace two plug receptacles with 3 plug grounded ones. But what are the rules for updating in wall wiring???

  • @garbo8962
    @garbo8962 3 года назад +3

    While my sister was selling her home the people performing inspection stated that the circuit breaker that had sun shinning on it had to be replaced because it was warm to touch. They turned on all the electric heaters up to highest temperature a hour before this. I had my sister ask the make & model # of IR camera they used. Oops do not own one so we used our finger. Nope. She did not have to replace the panel. Also love how a lazy home inspector can determine the condition of a roof on top of 3 floors while standing at ground level.

    • @benjamincarpenter4376
      @benjamincarpenter4376 3 года назад +1

      Many home inspectors these days use drones to inspect roofs.

    • @farstrider79
      @farstrider79 3 года назад +2

      @@benjamincarpenter4376 You can also tell a lot from inspecting the attic. If there's no water intrusion, the roof isn't leaking.

  • @sg39g
    @sg39g 6 месяцев назад

    I see that you use an electrical outlet tester which is unsuitable for inspection. This type of tester does not give correct information when the neutral wire is connected to the neutral terminal and the ground terminal, which is the method used by some to fool inspectors when the house has recents outlets but not connected to ground.
    You should use a tester designed for inspections.

  • @farstrider79
    @farstrider79 3 года назад +1

    Not gonna pull the dead front panel off? Or just trying to discourage homeowners from doing it?

  • @stevenwalker3102
    @stevenwalker3102 5 месяцев назад

    So in America an electrical inspection just involves just looking at the installation? Tou don't test any of the wiring or take readings? I hope this is not the case.

  • @michaeldonovan7443
    @michaeldonovan7443 Год назад

    I have a question back in 1970s over earlier or the electricians kept saying aluminum oh my God it’s almost like nobin 2 wiring so if it was bad in 1970 why is it now being used as service to bring in service or aluminum.

  • @zunedog31
    @zunedog31 3 года назад +1

    I don't have a ground wire. Huge problem with essentially no solution but to bring wires to every receptacle.

    • @zunedog31
      @zunedog31 3 года назад +3

      @@Kevin-mp5of Not a proper ground. Not all of my pipes are metal.

    • @zunedog31
      @zunedog31 3 года назад +2

      @@brianglade848 It is an incredibly labor intensive job that isn't solved with grabbing a ground wire and connecting it up. Don't be confused, big house isn't as easy to wire as your little trailer.

    • @Bremend
      @Bremend 3 года назад +1

      Do you have the wires encased in metal conduit, you can use that as a ground assuming it runs all the way back to the panel, or you can use gfci outlets and label them with no ground

    • @zunedog31
      @zunedog31 3 года назад +2

      @@brianglade848 Please don't be upset Brian. A trailer is better than nothing. You'll move up one day if you stay clean and keep saving.

    • @HaploBartow
      @HaploBartow 3 года назад +1

      Use GFCI breakers, then there's no problem.

  • @rupe53
    @rupe53 3 года назад

    I applied for a job as a home inspector years ago and they basically told me I was over qualified... or was that over qualified for what they were willing to pay? Nobody can be an ace in all trades and pick up on all the small things. OTOH, after years of working HVAC, generators, misc home repair, electrical, sump pumps, well pumps, etc. it's obvious that I could spot many things the average guy wouldn't.... and most home inspectors are just average guys.... working for a flat fee per inspection... which means they need to do a certain number per day to pay their own bills.... which means they don't have the time to spot every potential problem on every job site. I don't know a single inspector who would suspect a water leak and open up a wall to check for mold like they do on TV. That doesn't make them rip off artists.

  • @1976Datsun
    @1976Datsun 3 года назад

    Slow motion video meter inspections...can't even think up any snark.

  • @robertf6344
    @robertf6344 3 года назад

    Good info but the music playing in the background the whole time was annoying.

  • @N_A_RLW
    @N_A_RLW 3 года назад +1

    I did have a "home electrical inspection" and they lied to me.

    • @wizard3z868
      @wizard3z868 3 года назад

      Well they did their job right what's your complaint lol hopefully it wasn't an inspector recommended by the seller or your lender?

  • @inthedarkwoods2022
    @inthedarkwoods2022 3 года назад +2

    Do all electricians walk in slow motion?

    • @wizard3z868
      @wizard3z868 3 года назад +1

      Yes and a real pro will stutter and twitch lol

    • @jeffwilson1399
      @jeffwilson1399 3 года назад +1

      Only the union electricians.

  • @myid9876543
    @myid9876543 3 года назад +2

    The jangly guitar music can no longer be stopped.
    The video clip ended by the music remains
    Now it’s all there is
    Morning, noon, and night, just jangly guitar music.
    The doctors say it’s “psychosomatic” and “in my head” but that doesn’t help
    Just jangly guitar riffs, day to night

  • @jeffreyrichardson
    @jeffreyrichardson 3 года назад

    loved brother in law
    mike welchs red blue macaw
    doug brothers cats paw

  • @brad885
    @brad885 Год назад

    Any other cable techs notice the rats nest on the side of the house?

  • @zack9912000
    @zack9912000 3 года назад +11

    DO NOT USE A HOME INSPECTOR. Hire a pro who specializes in the field you want inspected. As a hvac tech who gets called in daily to confirm claims by these scam artists called inspectors and finding issues they completely missed.

    • @applianceman6194
      @applianceman6194 3 года назад +3

      As an Appliance Tech I can attest to that!! Not knowledgeable or accurate.

    • @mr.g937
      @mr.g937 3 года назад +4

      Agreed, inspectors are just ticking off a checklist and only inspect things that are in plain sight

    • @zack9912000
      @zack9912000 3 года назад +2

      @@mr.g937 They don't even do that, they get enough finds to make it look like they did something. Hell they don't even try to test run or even look at them. Had a guy ok a furance with a major crack and rollout and clearly lied he test ran it.

    • @RichTCS
      @RichTCS 3 года назад +3

      Unless the home inspector is named Mike Holmes?

    • @T0M3K6
      @T0M3K6 3 года назад +1

      In the end, they are good for finding obvious typical problems and typical homebuyer is oblivious to them. Also, unless you want to use that as way to negotiate price down, don't bother getting pros. Get the house and start getting quotes to fix everything.

  • @enrilondgut
    @enrilondgut 3 года назад +1

    So sorry for anyone in hands of and electrical inspector . It's a busyness crooked between the insurance company and the electricians.

  • @N_A_RLW
    @N_A_RLW 3 года назад +1

    Any and all cloth/nob & tube must be replaced it is too much of a risk of fire. If you don't believe me just look up house's that can't be explained and/or how many that are over 50 years old that caught fire.

    • @steveloux4709
      @steveloux4709 3 года назад +1

      Cloth covered wire is not the root cause these homes catch fire. Wire of this era with sound insulation can last for a very long time, provided it is not extended with illegal splicing methods and provided it has not been overheated. Overheating can occur from two primary means, 1) at ceiling lighting outlets where "pan" style fixtures have been in place for years and where such fixtures have been overlamped with high-wattage incandescent lamps. The older cloth covered insulation was no match for generations of scorching heat imposed on the old 60C insulation of cloth-covered products, and 2) what old wiring and fires have in common is fusing with Edison-based sockets that have been over-fused, often with 30A fuses. The best quick home safety improvement with older wiring is to immediately install the appropriate tamper-proof fuse adapters into the Edison base fuse holder which will guarantee only the correct size fuse is ever installed.

  • @jamesheflin5326
    @jamesheflin5326 3 года назад

    First

    • @LetsGoBrandon-FJB
      @LetsGoBrandon-FJB 3 года назад +1

      @@brianglade848 and some ear wax scrapings from an old buick key

  • @LetsGoBrandon-FJB
    @LetsGoBrandon-FJB 3 года назад +1

    this old greasy slicked back hair