We bought a house in Northwood and are being told we need to rewire the entire house so we have GFCI? I'm don't know jack about electrical. Would appreciate any advice.

Told by whom? Complete rewiring is not needed to add GFCI protection. Could they have meant AFCI or arc fault protection? Still doesn't mean a complete rewrite.

I thought GFCI was only required in areas that are in proximity of sinks by code. Yes, they are pretty basic also.

Wet areas, outside and the garage.

UnderoosAg said:

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Wet areas, outside and the garage.

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Maybe you can confirm but for the OP, he does not need to require anything or meet any code requirements outside of what was in place when the house was built right?

Otherwise, anything I WANTED updated was on me and it's orettt easy to add AFCI/GFI breakers to cover circuits. Not sure why a full rewire would be needed?

Have to or they want you to upgrade?

Don't know if you tried this yet, but here is a link to San Antonio Residential Building codes.

Codes

Not sure if it helps and may only apply to new construction or extensive remodeling/refurbishment of older buildings/houses. I would think that no one could force you to re-wire an existing home as it sits.

Jason_InfinityRoofer said:

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UnderoosAg said:

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Wet areas, outside and the garage.

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Maybe you can confirm but for the OP, he does not need to require anything or meet any code requirements outside of what was in place when the house was built right?

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With limited exceptions, that is correct. For example, some insurance companies won't underwrite houses with Fed Pac panels or the utility company might want a too low service drop fixed.

Thanks for all of the discussion Ags. My Aggie b-n-law is a builder in Dallas and he was in town this weekend. Don't need to upgrade the whole house, just we areas as some of you suggested and new additions - we are adding about 300 sq. ft. the house which are also exposed to water (kitchen, utility and 3/4 bath).

I did learn you are supposed to get a permit and hire a licensed electrician to install a light switch or replace, install an outlet. I think that's a bunch of crap. I've changed out lots of outlets and myself. Seems pretty ridiculous to me.

Reload8098 said:

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I did learn you are supposed to get a permit and hire a licensed electrician to install a light switch or replace, install an outlet. I think that's a bunch of crap. I've changed out lots of outlets and myself. Seems pretty ridiculous to me.

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Most of the larger cities have that as a requirement. Seen a few small town specifically say the HO can do it in their own home. Now consider the volume of outlets, boxes, wire and what not that leave HD and Lowe's everyday. HD used to have promo walls showing how to do temp meters and other stuff with all the parts laid out.

I've been tempted to get a permit for a receptacle changeout just to see what would happen with the inspection. I suspect they'd drive by and honk.

The wiring for GFCI is the same for standard receptacles/circuits so not sure why you'd need to rewire.

As a homeowner, you're legally allowed to do any electrical plumbing HVAC, any of that you can do on your own home. But technically, you are supposed to pull a permit and get it inspected. But that is overreach on a lot of things.

AggieArchitect04 said:

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The wiring for GFCI is the same for standard receptacles/circuits so not sure why you'd need to rewire.

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It can get squirrely when you have multi wire branch circuits. Still, that would be limited cases and not a total rewire.

jt2hunt said:

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As a homeowner, you're legally allowed to do any electrical plumbing HVAC, any of that you can do on your own home. But technically, you are supposed to pull a permit and get it inspected. But that is overreach on a lot of things.

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By ordinance, San Antonio requires an electrician to do all electrical work.

https://www.sanantonio.gov/DSD/Resources/FAQS#144161164-electrical

That is BS. Sucks

Houston is the same way. Dallas, you have to demonstrate experience/knowledge to get the permit. Austin, you have to get a homestead permit.

Yeah, it is total bs.

jt2hunt said:

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That is BS. Sucks

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No one follows it.

p_bubel said:

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jt2hunt said:

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That is BS. Sucks

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No one follows it.

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At least until you sell and it's caught in an inspection. I wired an attic fan in my last house and just had romex to a junction box. During inspection the guy caught it and said I had to have that in conduit so it couldn't be exposed. It was in the freaking attic that you had to climb up into.

NM cable has to be protected from physical damage. Depending on the install, you can also cover it with boards.

OP, welcome to Northwood!

As others have said, adding GFCI in wet areas is pretty easy.

Our house was built in 61 and wiring is all 2 wire with no ground. We had main service replaced and upgraded to two breakers when we bought the place.

I've been replacing electrical as we've remodeled different rooms. I'm splitting up circuits by room where previously bathroom, hall, bedrooms on one circuit. Its not too hard.

Code and permitting is BS. Half the "pros" I've seen screw stuff up. Some electrician parents at kids school think it's all BS too even though it is job security for them.

UnderoosAg said:

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NM cable has to be protected from physical damage. Depending on the install, you can also cover it with boards.

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When did this start? From what I've read that is only if permanent access exists. If drop ladder, non permanent, then just within 6 feet of access stairs. Even then, I've never actually seen it done by anyone.

NM always has to be protected from physical damage, there's just multiple ways to do it. Running it inside walls inherently creates that protection, once you add the nail plates. If it was already installed in the attic areas you could go back and cover it with boards to create physical protection, which may or may not be easier than pulling it and starting over.