Project Overview: Full Knob-and-Tube Removal
We’re currently working on a full-house knob-and-tube wiring removal in Portland’s Elliott neighborhood. This is a large, multi-level home with wiring dating back over 100 years — including remnants from the era when gas-powered lighting was still in use.
This project involves: • Removing all active knob-and-tube wiring • Installing new, grounded electrical circuits • Adding proper electrical boxes for fixtures and switches • Preparing the home for inspection, drywall repair, and paint
What Knob-and-Tube Wiring Looks Like
Throughout the home, knob-and-tube wiring was found: • In ceilings and wall cavities • At light fixtures with no electrical boxes • Behind push-button switches • Spliced improperly with modern wiring
In several locations, the wiring was: • Exposed • Touching insulation • Spliced using unapproved methods • Floating without proper junction boxes
These conditions significantly increase fire risk.
A Unique Discovery: Old Gas Lighting Lines
One of the more interesting finds on this project was an old gas pipe running alongside electrical wiring — a relic from the time when gas lighting predated electricity.
When we encounter this: • We pause electrical work • Coordinate with a plumber • Confirm gas lines are inactive and capped
This is common in very old Portland homes and must be handled carefully.
The Removal Process
Knob-and-tube removal is labor-intensive and methodical. Our process includes:
1. Tracing the Path
Before removing anything, we: • Identify where each circuit starts and ends • Trace wiring through walls, ceilings, and floors • Leave wire ends accessible for testing
2. Careful Demolition
This home features lath and plaster, not drywall — which means: • Cutting takes significantly more time • Specialized tools and blades are required • Openings must be strategic to minimize damage
3. Installing Modern Wiring
We replace old wiring with: • Grounded NM cable • Proper electrical boxes • Code-compliant switches and outlets
Some areas of the home already had updated wiring — those sections were preserved.
Basement & Panel Findings
In the basement, we found: • An improperly located electrical panel with clearance issues • Old splices hidden behind walls • Knob-and-tube circuits feeding multiple levels
These unsafe splices were removed and corrected as part of the upgrade.
Timeline: How Long Does Knob-and-Tube Removal Take?
For a home of this size and complexity: • Electrical work: ~15 working days • Drywall & mud: 2–3 days • Painting & cleanup: several additional days
Because walls must remain open until the rough-in inspection, drywall repairs happen after inspection approval.
Insurance Issues & Safety Concerns
In this case, the homeowner’s insurance company refused coverage until the knob-and-tube wiring was removed.
Common insurance concerns include: • Wiring touching insulation • Ungrounded lighting circuits • Fire hazards behind walls
Even though some outlets had newer wiring, switches and lighting circuits were still knob-and-tube, which posed a serious risk.
Preserving the Home’s Character
The homeowner wanted to keep: • Original push-button switches (where possible) • Historic architectural details • Wood ceilings and built-ins
We worked around these features by: • Routing wiring through walls instead of ceilings • Minimizing visible damage • Coordinating drywall repairs carefully
Why Knob-and-Tube Wiring Must Be Removed
Knob-and-tube wiring: • Is not grounded • Cannot safely handle modern electrical loads • Degrades over time • Is a common cause of house fires • Often voids insurance coverage
There’s no safe way to “patch” it — full removal is the only real solution.
Knob-and-Tube Removal Experts in Portland
Smiley Electric specializes in: • Knob-and-tube wiring removal • Old home rewiring • Electrical upgrades for insurance compliance • Historic Portland homes
We proudly serve Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, and surrounding neighborhoods — including Elliott.
📞 If your home still has knob-and-tube wiring, contact Smiley Electric for a professional inspection and clear plan forward.
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