Green Goo from plug sockets - 3 bed room - how long does re-wiring take?

jackhulk

Hello

I've had green goo oozing from various plug sockets around my 3 bed room maisonette (built late 60's) for quite a while now and its recently got increasingly worst.

It looks like the whole place will need rewiring but I'm wondering how long that would take and how does it work exactly? Will they need to rip floors up etc (new laminate in bedroom upstairs) or is all the wiring laid within walls?

Will all electricity be cut for the duration? I work exclusively from home so this would be a bit of a nightmare.

Thank you.

27col

Green Goo?. That's a new one on me. Probably some verdigris. Put a picture on. I would have thought that a rewire would not be necessary. Maybe re-install the sockets after cleaning the terminals and wire ends. But, if a rewire is necessary then be prepared for major upheaval, mainly floor lifting. Others may have some experience of this phenomenon. I personally never came across it as an electrician.

jackhulk

You can read about it here (page 10)....

http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/SwitchedOn-Issue-19.pdf

Re-wiring is the only cure (just had electrician round and explain). That above is an actual copy of the leftet he gave me to explain that its NOT a problem and its NOT dangerous. However, it states quite the opposite if the green goo is significant, which I feel mine is. They could just clean and replace sockets, however this would be only a temp fix and sooner or later the green goo would return.

Uplifting floors would be a nightmare. All three bedrooms have laminate now so they would be ruined.

Is re-wiring done in stages, ie so as say upstairs has electric while they re-do wiring downstairs or does the whole lot have to be switched off, in which case if there is no electricity for the whole re-wiring period, I'm guessing I would have to move out while the job is compete?

Ebe_Scrooge

Green Goo ?

I think you need an exorcist, not an electrician !

Rewiring can, or should, be able to be done in stages. Basically, cut the power to the upstairs but leave downstairs on, whilst you do the upstairs, then vice-versa. That's assuming it was wired correctly in the first place, though no reason why it shouldn't be. But still a pretty big upheaval unfortunately.

wallbash

I have green goo , but its only a very small irritation when you come to change a socket or switch . live with the problem , any thoughts of a rewire just to get rid of some green goo is ridiculous.

They could just clean and replace sockets, however this would be only a temp fix and sooner or later the green goo would return.

You could ( or better still DIY) a lot of cleaning and dozens of sockets for a fraction of the cost of a rewire.

maninthestreet

Do you live in Amityville??
I think you need to post some pictues of this green goo.

freyuk

Depends on your current installation the rewire could be done in stages, the normal thing is to make good at the end of the day (restoring your electricity).
You can live in while the rewire is carry on.

Those two points will increase massively the price and the time to complete the house rewire.

Floors will need to be lifted, furniture moved, walls chased, so make sure who will make good after the rewire is complete.

Expect quoutes on the £2500 to £4000 range for a full rewire.

It is recomended to move out of the house and try to pack the furniture out of the way as much as possible.

That will bring the price and time down.

NeverInDebt

Is the green goo oxidation from the copper. I never heard if green goo from sockets but copper can go green

NeverInDebt

http://joneakes.com/jons-fixit-database/1030-Green-ooze-from-electrical-outlets

Two viewers have strange problems with their electrical outlets. One has had bright green oily ooze coming out of an electrical outlet on and off for the last two years. Changing the outlet didn't stop it. Another has green deposits at the outlet every time she uses her vacuum cleaner. What problem might these viewers have in common?


http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20033

ormus

it only affects wiring installed in the mid 60s to the mid 70s.
the cables insulation was changed after that and they didnt have the chemical reaction problem.

jackhulk

Thanks all. I rent from the council so would not foot the bill. Only concern is the major upheaval and as I work from home this would no doubt effect business; and therefore I guess I would be paying one way or another, plus cost of replacing floors etc, re decorating etc.

Any idea roughly how long re-wiring three bedroom, 2 floor maisonette would take? I'm guessing at least a week?

Re-decorating is majorly over due (I have 80's artex everywhere) and I hope one day to be able to afford to purchase this place so would make sense to try and get everything sorted before that time.