Aluminum Wiring Replacement for 1970s Homes
If your Albuquerque home was built between roughly the mid 1960s and late 1970s, there is a real chance it has aluminum branch wiring. Aluminum was common in that era and is not automatically dangerous, but its connections can loosen and overheat over time. Here is what aluminum wiring is, why it matters, and the options for making it safe.
Why 1970s homes have it
During the late 1960s and 1970s, copper prices spiked and many builders switched to aluminum for branch circuit wiring, the wires that feed your outlets and switches. The metro saw a lot of construction in those decades, so aluminum branch wiring shows up regularly in homes of that age across Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. The wire itself is not the problem so much as how it behaves at connections.
What the actual risk is
Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper as it heats and cools, which over years can loosen connections at outlets, switches, and splices. Loose connections create resistance, resistance creates heat, and heat at a connection is a fire risk. Warning signs include warm or discolored outlet covers, flickering lights, or a faint burning smell near a device. Many homes operate fine, but the connections deserve a professional look.
Your options, explained honestly
There are two main remediation paths. The thorough one is a full rewire in copper, which removes the aluminum entirely. The more targeted and common one is to repair each connection using approved methods such as COPALUM crimps or listed connectors rated for aluminum-to-copper, done at every device. Which makes sense depends on your home and budget. We inspect, explain the trade-offs, and give you an upfront quote rather than pushing the biggest job.
Common questions
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