Knob and Tube question

[David P. Valley]

http://www.masscertifiedhomeinspections.com/?D=99

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by taxelrad

Have a home that was found to have quite a bit of knob and tube wiring in the attic and going down into the walls. Panel has been replaced and upgraded but all outlets are ungrounded (3 slot).

Home is going to be used as a nursery school. I reported the wiring suspect and included all the usual issues with knob and tube and recommended that an electrician be consulted to check the wiring issue and likely to do a upgrade if he felt it would be needed.

The electrician says that it is perfectly safe with nothing to worry about.

My clients now think I misled them. Am I missing something? I see a lot of this wiring and always report it this way. I could really use some advice.

Tom Axelrad
LSBHI License #10518
New Orleans, LA

No I think you worded it well .
You said suspect and recommended they Consult an electrician .
If they do not follow up then not you concern .
The only thing I say different ( Immediate consult with an electrian )

[James H. Bushart]

Show your client the aftermath of a fire in a home where knob and tube wiring had been previously "okayed" by the electricians and building code inspectors. The potential is real in spite of "expert opinion" to the contrary.

You are paid for your opinion and you provided it. It is their choice as to whose they wish to abide by, but there is enough proof on your side that modern day homes with modern day electrical load needs (and additions of romex to accommodate them) can burn a house down.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Show your client the aftermath of a fire in a home where knob and tube wiring had been previously "okayed" by the electricians and building code inspectors. The potential is real in spite of "expert opinion" to the contrary.

You are paid for your opinion and you provided it. It is their choice as to whose they wish to abide by, but there is enough proof on your side that modern day homes with modern day electrical load needs (and additions of romex to accommodate them) can burn a house down.


Attachment 39328

Attachment 39329

Attachment 39330

Jim,

Do you have the news article you are referring to?

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Jim,

Do you have the news article you are referring to?

This was a home that I inspected in August. It was a brick structure that had suffered an electrical fire from an overheated wire that failed to trip the breaker. The main fire damage was from the kitchen to the breaker box. Melted wire still hung from half melted junction boxes.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by jbushart

This was a home that I inspected in August. It was a brick structure that had suffered an electrical fire from an overheated wire that failed to trip the breaker. The main fire damage was from the kitchen to the breaker box. Melted wire still hung from half melted junction boxes.Attachment 39331

So was the fire caused by the wiring method or the circuit breaker?

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

This was a home that I inspected in August. It was a brick structure that had suffered an electrical fire from an overheated wire that failed to trip the breaker. The main fire damage was from the kitchen to the breaker box. Melted wire still hung from half melted junction boxes.Attachment 39331

I'd love to have the fire investigation documentation to coincide with your pics....to prove that this fire was started by defective knob and tube wiring.

[James H. Bushart]

The only information I had was what the city provided my client. I saw no official records.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

The only information I had was what the city provided my client. I saw no official records.

Damn...I thought I'd score some really good info for my website. I can't go by hearsay...