Knob-and-Tube Wiring: What Lower Mainland Homeowners Need to Know

Knob-and-tube (K&T) was standard in homes built before about 1950 and is still found across Vancouver, New Westminster and other older Lower Mainland neighbourhoods. Here's an honest look at the risks and your options.

Is knob-and-tube dangerous?

K&T isn't automatically unsafe, but it has real limitations: no ground wire, brittle insulation that degrades with age, and danger when buried in modern insulation, which traps heat. Decades of modifications by previous owners are often where problems hide.

The insurance problem

Many BC insurers won't write or renew policies on homes with active knob-and-tube, or they charge more and require an electrician's report. This is the most common reason homeowners call us about it.

Your options

Depending on how much active K&T remains, the fix ranges from removing and replacing specific circuits to a full rewire. We assess what's actually live, prioritize the riskiest areas, and give you honest options — not a blanket scare-tactic quote.

Rewiring without wrecking your home

Experienced electricians can fish much new wiring through existing wall cavities, attics and crawlspaces, keeping drywall damage to a minimum. We'll explain what's realistic for your specific home before we start.