A job in a 1920s apartment building in Boston made me rethink how I handle old wiring. Do you always replace it or try to patch it up? | Appliance Repairers - Rigidtalk
Honestly, patching it up is just kicking the can down the road. Old wiring is a safety risk, not just an inconvenience. A full replacement is the only responsible fix.
But a full rewire isn't always possible for everyone. That's a huge cost that can put people in a real bind. Sometimes a safe, professional patch is the only realistic option to keep the lights on while you save up. Calling it irresponsible ignores how much money actually plays into these choices.
Quinn is absolutely right about the safety risk. My buddy's apartment had old cloth wiring that started SMOKING behind the walls. The electrician said a patch job someone did years before just hid the real problem. A full rewire cost him a ton, but his insurance wouldn't have covered a fire. Sometimes the responsible fix is the only fix.