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I always thought those old cloth-wrapped wires were just a nuisance until I saw the original 1920s knob-and-tube still running a chandelier in a Seattle mansion.
The homeowner insisted it was fine because 'it's never been a problem,' but seeing those brittle, cracked sheaths inches from ornate wood trim completely changed my view on how urgently some historical wiring needs to be addressed, so what's the oldest functional system you've been asked to leave alone?
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the_oscar1mo ago
That "never been a problem" line is how fires start.
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kim_west1mo ago
You're right about that line, @the_oscar. I had a client who said the same thing about their old wiring. They called it "vintage charm" until a socket sparked and scorched the wall. I made them check every outlet that week. Found two more with cracked plates and loose connections. It's never a problem until you're smelling smoke.
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lisak261mo agoMost Upvoted
But come on, isn't that a little over the top? Most old wiring works fine for years. People say that line because it's true, it hasn't been a problem. Not every old house is about to burn down. Sometimes a spark is just a one-time thing, not a sign your whole place is a death trap. It feels like fear-mongering to act like every bit of "vintage charm" is a crisis waiting to happen.
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