During the copper price spike of the mid-1960s to mid-1970s, builders across St. Louis County and St. Charles County wired homes with aluminum branch-circuit wiring instead of copper. Subdivisions in Florissant, Hazelwood, Ballwin, Manchester, Bridgeton, and parts of St. Charles have a lot of it. If your home was built in that window, it is worth checking.
Why it matters
Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper and oxidizes at the surface. Over decades, connections at outlets, switches, and fixtures loosen and can overheat. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found homes with aluminum branch wiring are significantly more likely to have connections reach fire-hazard conditions than homes with copper.
How to tell
Look at the exposed cable sheathing in the basement, attic, or at the panel. Aluminum wiring cable is often stamped "AL" or "ALUMINUM." Outlets and switches may show discoloration or feel warm. A licensed electrician can confirm quickly.
The two fixes
A full rewire replaces the aluminum with copper and is the most complete solution, but it is also the most invasive. The CPSC-recognized alternative is remediation at every connection using COPALUM crimps or AlumiConn connectors, which pigtail a short piece of copper onto the aluminum so devices are connected to copper. Done correctly, remediation is accepted by most insurers and inspectors.
What we do not do
We do not use "CO/ALR" devices alone as a fix, and we do not use standard purple wire nuts. Both are widely considered inadequate.
Buying or selling a home with aluminum wiring? We provide itemized quotes for remediation or replacement that can be used in negotiations, and a completion letter for your insurer. Learn more about rewiring and remediation.
Talk to a licensed electrician
Questions about your home or building? Request a quote or schedule online. Flat-rate quotes, no pressure.
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