Aluminum Wiring in Your Home: What Vancouver Homeowners Need to Know
When it comes to keeping your home safe and up to code, the type of wiring hidden behind your walls matters more than you think. One important part of our 20-point electrical safety inspection at Wicks Electric is checking for aluminum wiring—and here’s why that matters.
What’s the Problem With Aluminum Wiring?
If your home was built or renovated between the mid-1960s and late 1970s, there’s a good chance it may contain aluminum branch circuit wiring. At the time, aluminum was used as a cheaper alternative to copper—but over the years, it’s proven to be less reliable and more prone to overheating.
Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper when it heats up. Over time, this movement can cause loose connections, leading to sparks, heat damage, and even electrical fires. For homeowners, it’s a hidden risk that’s easy to overlook—but not something to ignore.
What Wicks Electric Looks For
During our professional electrical inspections in Vancouver, we check the main panel for signs of aluminum wiring. If it’s present, we’ll walk you through the next steps. The most common and effective solution is adding copper pigtails—short pieces of copper wire that connect the aluminum wiring to outlets and switches using special connectors rated for this purpose.
This approach improves safety and brings your system closer to modern electrical standards, without needing to rewire your entire home.
Why Trust Wicks Electric?
As one of the top-rated electricians in Vancouver, our team is known for doing the job right the first time—no shortcuts, no guesswork. We’ve worked in hundreds of homes across the Lower Mainland, helping homeowners upgrade their systems and sleep better at night knowing everything is safe, clean, and code-compliant.
Whether you’re buying a new home, updating an older one, or just want peace of mind, our aluminum wiring check is a simple but crucial step in keeping your electrical system safe.
Book a 20-Point Electrical Safety Inspection Today
Looking for an experienced Vancouver electrician to take a closer look at your home’s wiring? Contact Wicks Electric today and ask about our 20-point inspection service. We’ll help you stay safe, spot risks early, and give you real solutions that last.
