05/28/2026
OLDÉ CLOTH WIRINNG:
Cloth wiring is a type of electrical wiring that was used before thermoplastic-coated wiring became commonplace. It was usually used in homes that were built before 1960, and it was very common because it was inexpensive, and this rubberized-cloth was the standard method of insulating wires before plastics became widespread and affordable.
While not all cloth wiring installations are dangerous, they are prone to breakdown and they lack the safety features of modern wiring installations, like grounding. They also do not typically provide enough power for modern needs which can result in a dangerous over-stressing of the electrical system, which could lead to a fire.
To boil it down, cloth wiring is an outdated type of electrical wiring.
Brittleness leads to wear & tear.
Over time, it has a tendency to become brittle. It may begin to flake away, exposing the underlying electrical wire. As this abrasion progresses, the likelihood of an electrical arc (electricity that "jumps" from one wire to another) increase. Serious fire hazard.
Insect/rodent damage Compared to other methods of insulating wires, cloth wiring is much more susceptible to insect and rodent damage. Again, this leads to a higher risk of exposed wires, and electrical arcing.
Some cloth wiring uses asbestos;
For decades, asbestos was a preferred material for insulation. It is cheap and extremely effective at insulating a wide variety of different materials from heat. Some old types of cloth-covered wiring use copper that is covered with rayon or cotton material and then insulated with asbestos paper, or rubberized insulation.
This, combined with the fact that modern homes require much more power compared to homes built at the turn of the 20th century.
Likely ungrounded, lacks modern features If your home uses this wiring, it's probably lacking in many modern safety features. It may not have three-pronged or GFCI outlets, and may lack grounding.
Be safe!
Your family's safety and your client’s safety is our priority!
We are here for your home inspection needs in NYS.
Milo
MB Home Inspections
917-681-6736
www.mbhomeinspections.com
