I've discovered that the previous owner did some questionable electrical work in my 1994 mobile home, and it's definitely not up to code. I've turned off the breakers for safety, but I'm worried about the state of the wiring. There's one outlet that's slightly melted and another that's severely damaged, which could have caused a fire. Plus, there's a persistent 60hz hum in the kitchen that disappears when I turn off the light circuit. Some outlets are daisy-chained improperly, and I suspect most issues stem from their DIY modifications, not from the house's original construction. Given all this, do I really need to demolish the walls to fix everything, or is there a less invasive solution? I've got a skilled friend who's good with electrical work, but I'd like an idea of what I might be getting into before we start.
3 Answers
I hear you! It might be a hassle, but it’s really hard to say if the walls need to come down without a thorough inspection. Sometimes a buzzing noise points to a bad transformer or miswiring. If it’s something simple like that, it could save you a ton of work! Just be prepared for the possibility of needing to get into the walls if they find something concerning when they check.
It sounds like a real mess! You definitely need to have an electrician take a look to get a better idea of what you're dealing with—no one can give you a solid answer without seeing it first. But typically, you don't need to rip down walls for most electrical fixes. They can usually troubleshoot and repair the wiring without that level of demolition.
Some of your issues could be from things unrelated to the wiring itself. For instance, that 60hz hum could come from a faulty light fixture or even appliances like fridges. But regarding those daisy-chained outlets, it does sound concerning if they’re using an actual extension cord instead of proper wiring. In that case, replacing the wiring would definitely be a good move, but maybe it can be done without extensive wall work—they can usually re-terminate cleanly if the wiring isn’t completely shot.
Exactly! If they did any sketchy linking with extension cords, that’s definitely an issue. Make sure to get a pro to inspect it; even if you don’t have to tear everything out, safety is key here!