08 - Guide to Old Wiring

Essential guide to old wiring in vintage homes: knob & tube, aluminum, cloth-covered systems.

When purchasing a home in Chicagoland, understanding safety and electrical fundamentals is crucial. Our inspectors look beyond surface cosmetics to evaluate safety clearance, branch wiring age, grounding, and code compliance.

Always verify that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present on every habitable level of the home and outside sleeping areas. In vintage Chicago homes, older wiring types like knob & tube or ungrounded two-slot outlets should be inspected carefully by a qualified master inspector.