By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
A friend recently purchased a home, and discovered after the sale that the electrical wiring is entirely aluminum. Shouldn't the home inspector and the agent have disclosed this condition? - Brian
Dear Brian,
Real estate agents are not likely to know when homes contain electrical wiring, as such discovery exceeds the scope of their professional purview. However, failure of the home inspector to disclose aluminum wire, if it was apparent in the panel, is gross professional negligence. Standard practice for competent home inspectors is to report aluminum wire as a significant concern to be addressed by a licensed electrician.
Aluminum wire was installed in homes built from the late 1960s through the early '70s. Connections in these systems tend to loosen, causing overheating and, in some cases, fire. Therefore, all of the wire ends in the panel and at outlets, lights and other fixtures should be evaluated and upgraded with copper "pigtails." Your friend should consult a licensed electrician and should notify the seller, agents and home inspector of the undisclosed problem.
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