Knob-and-Tube Wiring Replacement · Saint Louis, MO
Knob-and-Tube Wiring Replacement in Saint Louis, MO
Knob-and-tube replacement removes early wiring (about 1880s to 1940s) that runs on ceramic knobs and tubes without a ground, and replaces it with modern grounded cable. It is commonly done before insulating, during renovations, or when an insurer requires it.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Soulard, Lafayette Square, Tower Grove and more
Why knob-and-tube wiring replacement comes up in Saint Louis
St. Louis is a city of brick, and its rowhouses and single-family homes in Soulard, Lafayette Square, Tower Grove, The Hill and the Central West End often still have knob-and-tube wiring behind plaster. Solid brick walls mean new cable has to run through interior partitions, basements and attics, so rewiring takes careful planning and is often done floor by floor. Many vacant buildings being rehabbed need a complete rewire.
Historic districts review exterior changes. Permits come from the City of St. Louis Building Division, and Ameren Missouri coordinates service work.
- Many of these brick homes still have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring behind plaster, small services and few outlets.
- Knob-and-tube and cloth wiring in brick homes.
- Brick rowhouses and two-family flats in Soulard, Lafayette Square and Tower Grove were built from the 1880s to the 1920s, and their walls often hide knob-and-tube, cloth-insulated wiring and generations of patches.
- Before buying a brick rowhouse or two-family flat in Soulard, Tower Grove or the Central West End, an inspection can reveal knob-and-tube, cloth wiring, small or shared services and work done without permits.
- Permits in Saint Louis
- Inside the city, electrical permits come from the City of St. Louis Building Division; St. Louis County and its municipalities issue their own. Electrical work must be done by electricians licensed for the jurisdiction.
- Electric utility
- Ameren Missouri
Signs to look for
- Ceramic knobs and tubes visible in the attic or basement
- Two-prong outlets throughout the house
- An insulation contractor or energy program requiring an assessment
- An insurer asking about wiring type
- Fuses or a small service alongside old wiring
How the work is done
1. Trace active circuits
The electrician identifies which knob-and-tube runs are still live and where they go.
2. Plan the routes
New cable routes are planned through attics, basements and walls to minimize openings.
3. Install new circuits
Grounded cable, boxes and devices are installed and the old wiring is disconnected.
4. Inspect and patch
Rough-in and final inspections are completed, and access holes are patched.
What moves the price in Saint Louis
Electricians set their own prices. Many of these brick homes still have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring behind plaster, small services and few outlets.
- How much knob-and-tube is still active
- Plaster versus drywall walls
- Attic and basement access
- Number of floors
- Panel upgrade at the same time
- Wall patching and painting
Knob-and-Tube Wiring Replacement in Saint Louis: questions
Do I need a permit for knob-and-tube wiring replacement in Saint Louis?
Usually, yes. Inside the city, electrical permits come from the City of St. Louis Building Division; St. Louis County and its municipalities issue their own. Electrical work must be done by electricians licensed for the jurisdiction. The electrician normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.
Is the utility involved in Saint Louis?
If the work affects the meter or service, the electrician coordinates with Ameren Missouri, which owns the meter and service drop.
Is knob-and-tube wiring illegal?
Existing knob-and-tube is generally not illegal, but it cannot be extended, and many insurers and lenders treat it as a reason to replace.
Can knob-and-tube be insulated over?
It is not recommended, and many codes and insulation programs prohibit it, because the wiring relies on open air to cool.
How do I know if mine is still live?
An electrician can test it. Many homes have a mix of active and abandoned knob-and-tube.
How long does replacement take?
From a few days for a small home with good access to a few weeks for larger plaster-walled homes.
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