tee pee
12-17-2009, 04:01 PM
My small, modest home was built in the 50's. Electric codes were much different then, and I knew very soon after I moved in that there were issues that needed addressing. I had an electrician come in and move a few things around in the breaker box, because I couldn't run the dehumidifier and the vacuum at the same time without tripping a breaker. He said I could use a service upgrade, and switch out a lot of the 2-prong outlets, which I planned on doing. He said I had "dirty electricty".
He told me he wouldn't do it, because my house wiring scheme was a mess. He wished me luck.
I had 2 other electricians come in, both of whom said the same thing (I ain't touching that). Well, one of them said for less than 2.5k.
While discussing my problem with a co-worker, he said he'd look at it for me. He is a licensed electrician, but couldn't keep his one man business going. He needed steady income for his family. He said my wiring was a nightmare, but he'd do it. He informed me my grounding was practically non-existent, and I'd have to help with the dirty work of driving new ground rods.
Yesterday morning the service was cut, and work began. Nine hours later, I had new, upgraded service! After a quick course in using circuit finders and testers (which he loaned to me to map it all out) I spent several hours today changing outlets over, and correcting bad grounds. I'm not done yet, but I'm safe!
My wife always says I get excited over the strangest things. I celebrated blown-in insulation, and new windows. Yeah, an odd thing to post about but I'm really, really happy!
He told me he wouldn't do it, because my house wiring scheme was a mess. He wished me luck.
I had 2 other electricians come in, both of whom said the same thing (I ain't touching that). Well, one of them said for less than 2.5k.
While discussing my problem with a co-worker, he said he'd look at it for me. He is a licensed electrician, but couldn't keep his one man business going. He needed steady income for his family. He said my wiring was a nightmare, but he'd do it. He informed me my grounding was practically non-existent, and I'd have to help with the dirty work of driving new ground rods.
Yesterday morning the service was cut, and work began. Nine hours later, I had new, upgraded service! After a quick course in using circuit finders and testers (which he loaned to me to map it all out) I spent several hours today changing outlets over, and correcting bad grounds. I'm not done yet, but I'm safe!
My wife always says I get excited over the strangest things. I celebrated blown-in insulation, and new windows. Yeah, an odd thing to post about but I'm really, really happy!