DIYbanter - View Single Post - Is Knob-and-Tube *Always* Dangerous?

Joseph Meehan

wrote:
I'm sure this question has been posted and answered a thousand times
here, but a family member who routinely asks me to walk-through homes
she is interested in buying (because, as a walking Typhoid Mary of
Money Pits, I have hard-earned knowledge) has asked me to jump on a
particularly desirable (location, location, location) multi-unit this
AM.

One half of this duplex has knob-and-tube.

I have read conflicting estimates of the integrity and safety of
knob-and-tube on this group and other web sites. But I'm scheduled to
go through the home in two hours and thought I'd post and maybe get
some fresh insights.

From the street, and as far as the exterior foundation goes, this
home
is an absolute steal (new roof, great landscaping, has it all). My
family member needs a place to run to as the result of a divorce and
won't be able to take on both the mortgage and a complete rewire at
the time of sale; hence, my post.

Thank you as always for your responses.

Knob and tube is not, by nature, dangerous. It happens to be a very
save system The real problem is it is no longer used and has not been used
for a very long time. Therefore it is not up to modern expectations, like
having a ground or being able to supply a good size room A/C unit.

You need to check with local codes, including those that may only apply
to rental property to determine if you need to do any replacement. Likely,
and logically, if you are doing work in an area and it is convenient to
replace the K&T at that time, you should. Don't mix it on the same circuit
for example.

Stick to code and you will be safe.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit