Cut/damaged wire sheathing

Cause

Poor initial installation

Repair

  • if the damage is to wiring in the house itself and the installation was carried out within recent years, call the installer back to make repairs or to replace damaged wiring
  • if house wiring is damaged and this was not caused by recent work, call a registered electrician who holds an annual practising certificate to replace the wiring. This is not something that can be done by DIYers 
  • you can check that an electrician is registered here
  • if the damage is to the lead of a home appliance, you may be able to repair or replace it yourself. You should only do this is you have the skills, experience and tools to do the job properly
  • if you want to check what electrical work can be done on a DIY basis, this is covered in Section 57 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010
  • wiring in many appliances is factory-fitted and cannot be replaced
  • landlords and tenants cannot carry out any electrical work in any rented property unless they are registered electrical workers and hold current practising licences

Cause

Wiring has become dislodged

Repair

  • if wiring is in good condition but has simply become dislodged, purpose-designed pin clips and cable clips are readily available from hardware stores
  • damaged wiring should be replaced – see repair above

Cause

Old wiring – very old wiring may have a black coating

Repair

  • it is highly unlikely that a house will still have a type of wiring older than the thermoplastic-sheathed (TPS) wiring installed since the 1960s, but if this is the case, all the old wiring should be replaced
  • rewiring a house cannot can be done by DIYers
  • rewiring must be carried out by a licensed electrical worker who must also hold an annual practising certificate
  • you can check that an electrician is registered here
  • the electrical worker should give you a Certificate of Compliance. This indicates that the work is safe, complies with safety standards and codes and has been tested. Keep the certificate with your house paperwork