Signs Your Spokane Home Has Old Wiring
Much of Spokane's housing near the centre was built before 1950. If you live in one of those homes, here's how to spot wiring that may need attention.
Request an electricianTwo-prong outlets
Outlets without the third, round grounding hole usually mean ungrounded circuits.
Knob-and-tube
In the basement or attic, look for single wires running on white ceramic knobs and through ceramic tubes in the framing.
Cloth-covered cable
Wires wrapped in fabric rather than plastic are from older systems. The cloth can become brittle.
Fuses
A fuse box instead of a breaker panel is a sign the service hasn't been updated in a long time.
Patchwork
A mix of old and new wiring, splices without boxes and extension cords used as permanent wiring all deserve a closer look.
Performance clues
Lights dimming, frequent fuse or breaker trips, warm switch plates and outlets that won't hold a plug.
Insurance
Some insurers ask about knob-and-tube or fuses. Knowing what you have helps.
Next steps
See rewiring older homes.
Ungrounded outlets with three holes
Sometimes two-prong outlets have been swapped for three-prong ones without adding a ground. A cheap plug-in tester shows whether an outlet is actually grounded, and an electrician can confirm it.
Small kitchens, big loads
Older homes were wired for a fridge and a few lights in the kitchen, not today's microwaves, kettles, air fryers and dishwashers. If kitchen breakers or fuses trip when you cook, the kitchen likely needs new circuits.
Renovation time
Opening walls for a remodel is the cheapest time to replace old wiring. If you're planning any renovation in an older Spokane home, have an electrician look before the drywall goes back up, so new finishes don't hide old problems.
More electrical guides
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