Testimonials
"Stand up professionals."
Stand up professionals. Job was performed in a professional manner with educated electricians. Happy with the overall service. Honest, integral people, working to grow their local business. Keep up the great work George!
"Without a doubt the best!"
Doc Watts is without a doubt the best electric company in Central Florida. In a professional capacity, I have worked with them to complete electrical installations that range from simple breaker and receptacle replacements to full buildouts of industrial space and a generator as large as 625KWh. George and his crew are flexible, capable, and professional. Don't go here if you are looking for cheap and sloppy labor.
"Their customer service was awesome."
I would have to start by saying how good they treated me! Their customer service was awesome; something you rarely get in Florida. When the guy was done he cleaned up really good, he didn’t leave a mess; I was very appreciative of that! The moment I was even more impressed is when I saw the work he had done. Everything so well measured and placed! So they not only treat you good but also take pride in what they do! From now on these guys are my eletricians!!
"I can wholeheartedly recommend them!"
The team was A+ from the sales process to the final installation/handoff. Professional, efficient, always on time, always responsive, always do what they said they'll do.
This was a fairly major job, and after completion I can wholeheartedly recommend them.
Residential Service
Aluminum Wiring Replacement
Aluminum isn’t just for foil and soda cans. Did you know that older homes may have aluminum electrical wiring (and it probably should be replaced)? Have our team of electricians at Doc Watts inspect your wiring to see if it’s time for aluminum wiring replacement.
Homes in North America that were built in the 1960s and 1970s may have been constructed using aluminum wiring due to the high cost of copper.
This wiring material isn’t as safe as today’s copper and can pose a significant fire risk. If you suspect you have aluminum electrical wiring in your home, contact our team to inspect your home’s wiring and see if we recommend an upgrade.
Why Is Aluminum Wiring In A House So Dangerous?
Aluminum wiring isn’t unsafe just because it’s an outdated technology, it can be a serious fire hazard.
- Homes with aluminum electrical wiring are 55 times more likely have connections that can reach “fire hazard conditions.” This designation is given when a cover plate or mounting screws reach 300°F (149°C), or sparks cause charring on the receptacle.
- Copper wire does not expand and contract with load temperature changes as much as aluminum. This expansion and contraction can cause wires to loosen and become exposed. Wires can also overheat at connection or splice points.
- Aluminum wires are less flexible than copper, making them more susceptible to breakage and fraying. Over time, prolonged exposure can cause corrosion and oxidation resulting in overheating.
Can You Purchase a Home With Aluminum Wiring?
Absolutely! Just because a home has aluminum wiring doesn’t mean it won’t pass inspection, however, when most home inspectors see aluminum wiring in a house, they will recommend that it be replaced. The buyer and seller can work that out in a few different ways.
- Partial Update - An electrician can place copper connectors at the ends of the aluminum wires making the connections safer.
- Cash Offer or “As Is” Sale - When home buyers plan to remodel the entire home, they may offer the seller a lower “as is” price that does not require the seller to make any updates to the aluminum electrical wiring.
- Aluminum Wiring Replacement - When a seller aims for a higher sale price, it could be worth replacing the aluminum wiring in the entire home, so that it is fully updated and more attractive to buyers.
How To Tell If A Home Has Aluminum Electrical Wiring
A home is more likely to have aluminum wiring if it was built between 1960-1975. To be sure, ask a professional electrician (good thing you found us!) to inspect your wiring.
Another way to check for aluminum wiring in your home is to look at any exposed wiring in the attic or basement. You have aluminum wiring if you see a marking that says “AL” or “aluminum” on the wire’s plastic cover. Be careful to perform a visual inspection only; do not touch these wires. Call us if you can’t see any markings or cannot physically access the wires - we’ll handle it from here.
You may need aluminum wiring replacement if you notice warning signs like warm outlet covers, flickering lights, or frequently-blown fuses. These signs could also mean that there’s an issue with your copper wiring. Either way, whenever you notice these signs, it’s best to let the professionals at Doc Watts have a look.
What To Do If You Discover Aluminum Wiring
Replacing only the connectors with copper is possible, but we recommend replacing all aluminum wiring with copper to keep your home safe and code-compliant. Our team of skilled electricians can help when it’s time for your aluminum wiring replacement.
Call the Doc When You Have NO Watts!
When you need to replace aluminum wiring in a house or have any other wiring installations or repairs on your project list, we’re here for you! We look forward to helping you with all of your electrical projects.
