Aluminum Wiring Remediation
Service Details
Aluminum Wiring Remediation — A Hidden Hazard in Thousands of Homes
If your home was built or renovated between 1965 and 1973, it may contain aluminum branch circuit wiring. Installed during a period when copper prices soared, aluminum wiring was widely used as a cost-effective alternative — but decades of real-world performance have revealed serious safety concerns that every homeowner should understand. Addressing aluminum wiring is not just a code issue; it’s a critical step in protecting your home and family from the risk of electrical fire.
What Is Aluminum Wiring?
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, aluminum was approved for use in residential branch circuit wiring as a substitute for copper. While aluminum is still safely used today in large-gauge applications like service entrance conductors and feeder wires, the smaller-gauge aluminum wiring used throughout homes during this era has proven problematic at connection points — and that’s where the danger lies.
Why Aluminum Wiring Is a Serious Concern
- It Expands and Contracts — Aluminum expands and contracts at a greater rate than copper when it heats and cools during normal use. Over time, this causes connections to loosen, creating arcing and overheating.
- It Oxidizes — When exposed to air, aluminum forms an oxide layer that is a poor electrical conductor, increasing resistance and generating dangerous heat.
- It’s Soft and Prone to Damage — Aluminum can be nicked or damaged during installation, creating points of vulnerability.
- Incompatible Connections — Standard outlets and switches are designed for copper. Connecting aluminum to copper-only (CO) rated devices creates an unstable and prone-to-fire connection.
“The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has found that homes wired with aluminum branch circuit wiring are significantly more likely to experience fire hazard conditions than homes wired with copper.”
Remediation Options
There are two primary approaches to addressing aluminum wiring, and we’ll help you determine which is right for your home:
- Full Copper Rewire — The most comprehensive and permanent solution. We remove the existing aluminum wiring and replace it entirely with modern copper wiring, bringing your home up to current NEC code.
- CO/ALR Device Replacement & Pigtailing — We replace outlets and switches with CO/ALR-rated components and install copper pigtails using specially listed connectors such as AlumiConn or COPALUM crimps.
Why Professional Remediation Matters
Aluminum wiring remediation is not a DIY project. Incomplete or improper repairs can leave dangerous connections unaddressed and create a false sense of security. Our licensed electricians conduct a thorough inspection, identifying every connection point to ensure remediation is performed correctly with all required permits and inspections on record.
Don’t Assume It Was Already Addressed. If you’re unsure about the status of your home’s wiring, a professional evaluation is the only way to know for certain. Contact us today for a comprehensive aluminum wiring inspection and a no-obligation remediation estimate.