Aluminum Wiring Remediation and Repair

Homes built in the late 1960s and 1970s in the Cape Coral and Fort Myers area may contain aluminum branch circuit wiring instead of copper. While aluminum is an excellent conductor, its use in 15-amp and 20-amp branch circuits has been linked to increased fire risk due to oxidation, thermal expansion, and connection loosening at terminals. Project Pros provides professional aluminum wiring remediation services that address these safety concerns and bring your home into compliance with modern standards.

Why Aluminum Wiring Is a Concern

Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper when heated and cooled during normal electrical use. Over time, this thermal cycling loosens connections at outlets, switches, and junction boxes. Loose connections create resistance, which generates heat, which can ignite surrounding materials. Additionally, aluminum oxidizes when exposed to air, forming a resistive layer on the wire surface that further increases heat buildup. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has found that homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have fire-hazard conditions at electrical connections.

COPALUM and AlumiConn Solutions

The two CPSC-recommended remediation methods for aluminum wiring are COPALUM crimp connectors and AlumiConn set-screw connectors. COPALUM involves using a specialized crimping tool to create a permanent copper-to-aluminum connection at every outlet, switch, and junction point. AlumiConn connectors use a set-screw design rated specifically for aluminum-to-copper connections. Both methods create safe, code-compliant connections that eliminate the fire risk at connection points. Our electricians are trained in both methods and will recommend the best approach for your specific situation.

Complete Rewiring Option

For homeowners who want the most thorough solution, complete rewiring replaces all aluminum branch circuits with copper wiring. While more expensive than pigtailing, this eliminates aluminum from the equation entirely and provides the highest level of safety and peace of mind. Complete rewiring also allows for adding more circuits to meet modern electrical demands and upgrading to arc-fault (AFCI) and ground-fault (GFCI) protection throughout the home.