HawthorneVillager.com

Through my quest to move to an older neighborhood in Milton, I was recently told by a R/E agent that pretty much all Dorset Park homes were constructed using aluminum wiring. I do know that a good portion of DP homes have electric heating which was in vogue around the same era that aluminum wiring was popular so it's conceivable to me. Some homeowners partially or fully converted to copper but the majority of homes are still wired with the original aluminum.

I'm told that aluminum wired homes can be pretty safe with the proper use of copper pigtails w/ anti-oxidant paste and aluminum rated receptacles and switches, and is periodically inspected and maintained. Still gives me a bit of anal twitch. Any of the home inspectors or other knowledgeable folks care to comment ?

Thanks.

Sounds like you have been given some pretty good advice. Aluminum wiring is absolutely safe when used with the right materials. You can either use plugs and switches that are rated for aluminum, or use the pigtail method you described. It's hard to find modern Decora style stuff that is rated for aluminum, so most people use the pigtails.

Also, I'd say the majority of detached homes now have central heating. While there are still a few with electric baseboards, most of those are the condo townhouses in the Wilson/Woodward area.

_________________
Hunter Obee
Sales Representative
Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty
Diamond Award Winner - Top 3% in Canada
http://www.TheHomeHunter.ca
905-878-8101

Agreed. The aluminum wiring itself is perfectly safe. It's the connections that require special attention and it sounds like you have a good handle on that.

John Allingham
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
inspect@peelhomeinspection.com
http://www.peelhomeinspection.com

Thanks for the replies !

So then is it true that all DP homes were originally built using AL wiring ?

Pigtails... wouldn't it be tough to fit an additional length of copper wire pigtailed to the existing aluminum wire along with an outlet or switch into the existing box ?

Have you heard of any issues or reluctance by insurance companies to insure a home with AL wiring ?
I suspect an inspection certificate by an electrician might satisfy them !?

Not all, but many.

I've never heard of an insurance company refusing coverage based on aluminum wiring. As you surmised, an ESA certificate generally satisfies them (and in my experience, most will ensure without an electrical inspection.)

_________________
Hunter Obee
Sales Representative
Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty
Diamond Award Winner - Top 3% in Canada
http://www.TheHomeHunter.ca
905-878-8101

Insurance companies typically ask what type of wiring the house has. I'm not sure if what you tell them reflects in your premium or not.

John Allingham
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
inspect@peelhomeinspection.com
http://www.peelhomeinspection.com