Roof space – wiring damaged or loose

Cause

Poor initial installation

Repair

  • if the installation was carried out within recent years, call the installer back to replace damaged wiring
  • loose wiring can be fixed to framing timber with purpose-designed pin clips and cable clips readily available from hardware stores
  • if the 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
  • the electrician must give you a Certificate of Compliance after doing fixed wiring work. This says that the work is electrically safe, complies with electrical safety standards and codes and has been tested. Keep the certificate with the other paperwork for your house (house insurance policy etc.)

Cause

Wiring has become dislodged

Repair

  • if wiring is in good condition but has simply become dislodged, it can be fixed to framing timber with purpose-designed pin clips and cable clips 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 
  • the electrical worker must give you a Certificate of Compliance. This indicates that the work is safe, has been carried out in accordance with safety standards and codes and has been tested. Keep the certificate with your house paperwork