If you’re looking to purchase a home that was built between the late 1880s and early 1930s, your home inspector may discover knob and tube was used as the electrical wiring. While some argue that the knob and tube is actually superior to current electrical wiring practices, the age of the system typically leads to some type of degredation, therefore necessitating that it be at least partially replaced and upgraded.
It’s becoming more and more common now that buyers are unable to get a home insurance policy on a home with knob and tube. What insurance companies were willing to insure just 2-3 years ago has changed. If your home inspection turns up knob and tube, the homeowner will most likely need to upgrade the system in order to sell the home. You won’t be able to get an insurance policy to satisfy your mortgage commitment otherwise. I’ve seen this issue pop up twice in the past week. The seller now has to upgrade the system before the closing in each case. If you’re a seller, you might want to consider having the wiring fixed even before you list your house for sale. You’ll head off potential issues.
If you’re not familiar with knob and tube, here are two good links that give helpful explanations of how the wiring works and why it needs to be upgraded. Ask The Home Inspector and Wikipedia.