Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
ASK THE INSPECTOR: Aluminum wiring requires special plug-in receptacles
QUESTION: My home was built in 1978 or 1979. It has aluminum wiring. Lately, I am noticing sparking in different plugs when I plug something in. Is this something to be concerned about. Thank you. Barb Wild
ANSWER: Sometimes when minor sparking is seen in an electrical receptacle it is a result of a lack of use but may also be a sign of excessive corrosion or damage, especially in homes with aluminum wiring. You're right to be concerned and should hire a licensed electrician to evaluate the offending receptacles, or possibly all of the electrical devices in your home, to ensure safety.
Aluminum wiring installed in homes in our area, mainly from the mid sixties to mid seventies, may provide some unique safety challenges for owners. Because your home was built near the end of the common use of aluminum branch wiring, you may have properly rated receptacles, but this should be checked to make sure.
Aluminum wiring has been problematic in many areas because it is very soft, subject to easier damage than copper, and excess oxidation can cause an increase in fire hazards. For these reasons, special devices have been developed for use with aluminum.
The designation CU/AL was stamped or printed on original electrical devices approved for this use. While these are still acceptable for circuit-breakers and many light switches, duplex receptacles with this rating should be upgraded. Many homes were found to have problems with excessive oxidation, overheating and damage at these receptacles.
For that reason, newer devices with the rating of CO/ALR were developed and are required to be used in these areas. The newer receptacles have fasteners with metals that were more compatible with aluminum, reducing the chance of oxidation and overheating.
To determine if your home has the properly rated CO/ALR units, or outdated and potential dangerous CU/AL, you could remove a few cover plates and inspect the receptacles. For safety, this should be done after the circuit-breaker is shut off at the panel. This can be done by plugging in a radio with the volume turned up, and shutting off breakers until the radio becomes quiet.
Removal of the plastic cover plates with a simple screw driver should reveal the top and bottom tabs of the receptacle, where it is secured it to the metal box. Look for stamped printing of the CO/ALR, normally on the top tab. This may be obscured by old paint, dirt or other debris, but use of a flashlight and a dry rag to clean the surface may help you see the imprint.
If it is not present, or CU/AL is seen there or in another location on the unit, repairs or replacement should be done. You should also look for any obvious soot, stains, scorching, discoloured wiring or melting on the receptacle, wiring or surrounding area. If this is seen, immediately discontinue use of this device and call an electrician for further evaluation and repairs.
If you can see the proper designation stamp on the tab and no physical evidence of damage or overheating is visible ,there may be nothing to worry about. Several other receptacles should be inspected to ensure they are also properly rated and not damaged. The ones most prone to overheating are in high-use locations with appliances that draw considerable current. This is often above the kitchen counter where microwaves, toasters and kettles are used or hair dryers in bathrooms.
If they all seem to be in satisfactory condition, you should replace the covers, re-energize the circuits by switching the breaker to the ON position and monitor for ongoing issues. If there is any visible damage or evidence of overheating, particularly on older CU/AL devices, upgrades will be required.
The solution to damaged receptacles or wiring may range from simple replacement of the receptacles with the properly rated devices to removal and replacement of melted wiring. Installation of CO/ALR receptacles may be quite simple, but the cost of these devices is quite a bit higher than regular ones, so upgrading an entire home may be a moderately priced expense.
Because your home has aluminum wiring, which has been known to be problematic, calling a licensed electrician to check all of your receptacles is a wise move. The results of this inspection will either provide a greater sense of security or lead to repairs that may dramatically improve the safety of your electrical system.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the President of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors - Manitoba (www.cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be e-mailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at (204) 291-5358 or check out his website at www.trainedeye.ca.
trainedeye@iname.com
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Denture tablets clean your toilet bowl, too
QUESTION: I am looking for an alternate solution to commercial toilet-bowl cleaners. Would you have one that I can make at home? I am really impressed with the window cleaner that you printed, so hope you may be able to suggest one for the toilet bowl. Enjoy reading your columns. Thanks. Helen, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Store your toilet-bowl brush in either bleach or vinegar. Drop four denture tablets into the toilet bowl, leave for five minutes and clean with your toilet-bowl brush. With very little effort, the bowl will look and smell great.
Did you know? Denture tablets are also useful for cleaning coffee makers. Drop two tablets into the tank and fill with water. Run as normal and pour the water out. Repeat using plain water.
QUESTION: My son is famous for getting ballpoint ink on his hands while he is working on his homework. Several times a week, I take him to his trumpet lessons and his teacher is always annoyed when he shows up with ink on his fingers. Do you have any easy solutions to quickly get rid of ink on fingers? Wendy, Winkler, MB
ANSWER: Good for your son that he spends time completing homework! Before music class, wet a tea bag with water and rub your son's hands with the dampened bag. The ink quickly disappears and his music teacher will be happy.
QUESTION: What is the best inexpensive product to apply to very chapped lips? Donna, The Pas, MB
ANSWER: Apply petroleum jelly to your lips several times a day. If you want to add colour and flavour to your lips, melt petroleum jelly in the microwave and add a half teaspoon of cocoa or Kool-Aid powder. Stir and store in a container.
Fabulous tips of the week!
-- Whenever I have scratches on my CDs, I take Chapstick and smear it all over the CD. Then I rub it with a soft cloth and remove the excess. The CD plays once again. Submitted by Terry
-- I rub the inside of a banana peel on my acne to dry up my blemishes. I have done this for two years and love the results. Submitted by Karenna
I enjoy your questions and tips; keep them coming. Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand-new videos/blog/website: reena.ca.
