ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS

Do you have Knob and Tube wiring or Aluminum wiring in your home? If so, your insurance company may require a detailed evaluation of the electrical system by a licenced electrician. Keith Langlois of Building Insights Inc. is a licenced electrician and offers detailed residential electrical inspections and the required documentation for insurance purposes.

Knob and Tube wiring

Was used from the early 1900’s to the 1940’s, at best it is more than 70 years old. Many insurance companies these days will not provide or renew coverage for properties with this type of wiring. Some insurance companies may provide coverage if there is a small percentage of Knob and Tube wiring as determined by an electrician.

Age, mechanical abuse, alterations, rodent activity and overloading are all factors in the ultimate deterioration of the wire. Deterioration of the wire can cause shock and fire related hazards.

Aluminum Wiring

Was used from the mid 1960’s to the mid 1970’s. When installed properly this is a safe system. However, the characteristics of aluminum wire make it more vulnerable to improper installation and potential hazards.

Aluminum wire oxidizes, expands and contracts at a great rate than copper or brass and reacts poorly to dissimilar metals. For these reasons’ compatible devices (switches, outlets, wire connectors) must be used with Aluminum wire. Many homes built in this era did not incorporate the use of these compatible devices at the time of construction, therefore many insurance companies these days require an inspection of the system and documentation stating the system has been properly installed or retrofitted.

So glad I went with Keith as an inspector. He basically saved me thousands of dollars and a lot of headaches by the things he found during my inspection. Very knowledgeable about all aspects of the house and explained everything in ways I would understand. I learned a lot just from listening. Highly recommend using Keith as your inspector. I will be using him before I buy any home.

- E.M.

Every request given to our home inspector was done professionally, fast and reports sent in a timely manner We asked Keith to come back two more times after original inspection and he came and appointments were booked around our schedule and he was always on time and shared all his knowledge He was not is a hurry, he spent quality time with us as new home owners I will be recommending his company to friends and family

- K., Waterloo ON

Keith you were very helpful and I appreciate all your suggestions and recommendations. The blue binder is a great source of info for me, someone who doesn’t know much about the workings of a home! Thank You again and will certainly pass your name along!

- K.B.

Keith was a pleasure to work with. He was extremely thorough and took the time to show us each area that needed to be addressed. We’d definitely recommend him to anyone in need of a home inspection.

- D.R

Keith is very knowledgeable and extremely patient with his customers. We really appreciated Keith taking his time to explain things about the house to us and also show us how certain things work (lighting a fireplace pilot light, for example). It is a real pleasure working with Keith. You can also follow up with him if you have any questions about the house. A true professional. Thanks! Cam & Ann Gordon

- A.G.