Splices in attic wiring

My home inspector found some DIY splices in the wiring in the attic and said that has to be fixed now - he suggested dry boxes at each splice.

Also, none of my GFCI outlets will trip - I kow I can replace these myself, but the main box won't open! You have to unscrew it to get to it.

Do you think I can do this splice repair myself? I have wired vanity lights, changed out fixtures, etc.

And, I KNOW the main has to be turned off - I am girl, not stupid.

 

The spices can be repaired relatively easy. Depending on the amount of slack at the splice, you will separate the splice, nail a electrical box to a nearby joist or stud, and remake the splice in the box with a blank cover. The code requires 6" of slack in the box, so you may have to place a box further "upstream" in the circuit (6-8") in order to provide 6" of slack in each box and add additional wire/cable to make it to the original splice location.
Why the GFCI doesn't trip could be several reasons. Was it determined it doesn't trip with the buttons on the receptacle itself, or did the inspector use a handheld tester?

PS: no need for the anti-girl comments, my wife can do lots of stuff I can't do

 

That sounds simple enough - no need to pay some numbskull to to that! Thanks so much! I'm guessing you accidentally left out the part where i turn off the main, right? So I buy what they call "dry boxes" right, and re-splice the ends then put the cover on top.

The GFCI were tested with the buttons, I didn't see if he tested with a tool or not. I can just replace these like a bad plug, right?
And thanks also for the girl-power encouragement! I actually rebuilt 3 Corvettes myself.

Can you email me directly about the GFCI? artrugs2000@netzero.com

 

What type of cables-- metallic, or non-metallic? Number of boxes needed? Number of cables at each "splice"-point?

If you ask for "dry" electrical boxes, you will be "confusing the issue"- You need 4" sq. "1900" metallic outlet-boxes, without clamps and without mounting-brackets, so you can connect cables to all 4 sides of the box.

Good Luck & Enjoy the Experience!!!!!!1111

 

The wire I think is called romex - it's the thick grey wire that usually runs throught the walls in your home. Is that metallic or non-metallic?

 

Non-metallic-- you can use plastic Non-metallic cable-connectors that "snap" into the 1/2" KO's on the sides of the O-B. There is a connector-size that will accept two 2-wire cables in one connector.

 

If it is just bad GFCI's (though it would be weird if all of them are bad at the same time), then you can replace them like a bad regular plug, except when you replace them with the new GFCI, be sure to mind where the wires were on the old one (line or load side) and reconnect appropriately.