kurt Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 I never could come up with any reason to leave old wiring. Even if it's just chopped up and left in pieces, that's OK, but leaving it in place always struck me as a dork shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 The presence of abandoned wiring confuses folks, from inspector to sparky to homeowner. It puts an annoying 'what's hot, what's not' question in their heads. Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inspector57 Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Is dead wire an issue if left inside a wall or ceiling cavity a danger, no; but is it really dead? In my opinion, the only way to make sure it is totally dead is to remove it totally. Most of the time I see K&T it has been a piece meal deal where it has been tapped, spliced, modern wiring added along side, etc. Even when the house is advertised to be "totally" rewired, I regularly find live K&T. And remember with K&T the one "circuit" likely runs through the entire house. Check a few outlets below windows or other hard to access locations and you will likely find old wiring still in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Even when the house is advertised to be "totally" rewired, I regularly find live K&T. Same here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 The presence of abandoned wiring confuses folks, from inspector to sparky to homeowner. It puts an annoying 'what's hot, what's not' question in their heads. Marc Yes but it could be an unnecessary expense is what I mean. Most people (working person, too old to be in any attic, scared of spiders, just plain scared) will have to hire somebody to dig all that old wire out of the insulation. Because Mr Inspector said so. [] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inspector57 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Yes but it could be an unnecessary expense is what I mean. But how do you know if it is unnecessary if no one looks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Yes but it could be an unnecessary expense is what I mean. But how do you know if it is unnecessary if no one looks? I inspect the house and find abandoned K&T and new wiring with no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denray Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I fear that there could be some switch somewhere that turns the stuff on. That's a good reason to get rid of abandoned wiring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Amaral Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 An old bedspring in an attic will make a Fluke tester go off if you put it within the spring-coils.... you have to triple-check with those.. I use them all the time but I know the limitations.... you 'do what you can' ... but mention the limitations.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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