House Re-wire?

PMurphy

I think we'll go for the EICR and make a decision from that. Would that circuit board support a new shower circuit? Or would it overload it?

I've been told that the EICR will state if a rewire is required. Or whether the a new consumer unit can be fitted to the existing wiring. Is this correct?

Risteard

PMurphy wrote: »

I think we'll go for the EIRC and make a decision from that. Would that circuit board support a new shower circuit? Or would it overload it?

I've been told that the EIRC will state if a rewire is required. Or whether the a new consumer unit can be fitted to the existing wiring. Is this correct?

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) will highlight non-compliances with BS 7671 which could give rise to danger. It will not make statements like "a rewire is required" or "fit a new distribution board". It will list the issues but WILL NOT recommend what remedial action should be taken.

This may all be provided in an attached cover letter though.

konark

That lot looks like it's early 1960s , no rcds of course but probably perfectly safe and better quality than many of the shonky plastic consumer units available now. Grey wires are nothing to worry about, just check the cables are copper (and not aluminium which was popular in the late 50s).

One house I lived in had cast metal boxes with porcelain insulators and throw switches, like something out of Frankenstein's lab, the wires were insulated with rubber covered in cloth. That's the time to be worried.

PMurphy

So if it doesn't show up on an EIRC? Then what do I need to do to get that question answered?

Take a sparky out the the property with me?

PMurphy

Just had a reply off an electrician who said if he does the EICR he'll investigate whether the existing circuit board can be replaced with a new metal consumer unit without needing a full rewire, but the report costs £170.

Is that realistic, or should I ask an electrician to come round to the property with me and quote me a new Consumer unit? Ultimately if the house needs a rewire we wont go through with it, but other than that we do really like the place.

brightontraveller

EICR etc have there place and the good for showing up faults potential dangers etc They fail for a consumer in that they don’t indicate accurately how long the installation will last after the test ? Cable itself deteriorates you’ll get the mines 60 years old still going fine brigade…. But you really can’t tell accurately from standard electrical test if its going to still pass, work, be safe 12 mths later Changing the CU doesn’t alter that…..
From experience I’d say 99% it needs a rewire but that could be 1mth it could be a few years Personally I,d see if owners willing to knock some or all from asking price or except it and take the risk or buy something else.

Report in this instance waste of time you can see its old you don’t really need to know a lot more.....

Risteard

PMurphy wrote: »

So if it doesn't show up on an EIRC? Then what do I need to do to get that question answered?

Take a sparky out the the property with me?

I was saying that an EICR (NOT "EIRC") will not state what remedial action is to be taken as the Report is factual and not subjective. As I said the Electrician will typically enclose a covering letter highlighting what action should be taken to remedy the identified defects.

The Report itself will only highlight the non-compliances affecting the safety of the installation though - and not make statements such as "needs a rewire" or "new distribution board required".

PMurphy

Thanks for the replies folks.

I was mulling this over last night. I know it probably needs a rewire, but I was hoping it will last a few years. As I said, I've spoken to the vendor and am awaiting more info.

I suppose another option would be to fit a thermostatic shower with a T off the hot water, but i genuinely have no idea how much that costs as currently there is no shower fitted at all.

I've been told Thermo showers are cheaper to run but more tiling or required, were as electric ones are easier to fit but requires more plastering because of the power circuit. What a ball ache!

PMurphy

As an update, wiring hasn't been touched since the house was built in 1973.

Therefore a rewire would almost certainly be required. Damn.

stator

Ask for a reduction in price.
If you get it done yourself then you would be in the envious position of living in a house where you know the electrics are up-to-date and done by a professional.
Most people have no idea about the state of their electrics really. Could have been done by any old bodger