Aluminum Wiring Repair in Arlington TX
If your Arlington TX home was built between 1965 and 1973, there is a real chance it has aluminum wiring. Most homeowners do not know. Aluminum wiring repair in Arlington TX is one of the most important services we offer — and one of the least talked about.
If your Arlington TX home was built between 1965 and 1973, there is a real chance it has aluminum wiring. Most homeowners do not know. Aluminum wiring repair in Arlington TX is one of the most important services we offer — and one of the least talked about. Call (817) 754-5700 to find out if your home is affected.
Bolt Electric inspects, repairs, and retrofits aluminum wiring for homeowners across South Arlington TX, Pantego TX, Dalworthington Gardens TX, and surrounding areas.
We are not here to sell you a full rewire. In most cases, the fix does not require opening every wall in your home. We explain your options, give you a firm price, and let you decide. We are a licensed electrician in Arlington TX — not a sales pitch.
📞 Call (817) 754-5700
What Is Aluminum Wiring and Why Does It Matter in Arlington TX?
From about 1965 to 1973, builders across the country used aluminum wire instead of copper. Copper prices had gone up sharply. Aluminum was cheaper and easier to get. Builders used it throughout entire homes — outlets, switches, light fixtures, and branch circuits.
Thousands of homes in South Arlington TX, Dalworthington Gardens TX, and Pantego TX were built during this window. Many have never had their aluminum wiring addressed.
The problem is not the wire itself. Aluminum conducts electricity just fine. The problem is what happens at the connection points over time. If you need full electrical troubleshooting in Arlington TX, we can assess the entire system at the same visit.
🔥 Why Aluminum Wiring Becomes a Fire Risk
Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper does as it heats and cools with electrical use. Over years of daily use, this movement loosens connections at outlets, switches, and fixtures.
Loose connections cause heat. Heat at a connection causes arcing. Arcing inside a wall is one of the leading causes of house fires — often starting with no warning at all.
The fix exists. It is not dramatic. But it must be done by a licensed electrician using CPSC-approved methods.
How to Tell If Your Arlington TX Home Has Aluminum Wiring
You may already have a clue. Here is what to look for — and a reminder that if you are not sure, we confirm it fast.
Check the Build Year
Homes built between 1965 and 1973 in Arlington TX have the highest chance of aluminum wiring. This covers a large portion of older neighborhoods in South Arlington, Dalworthington Gardens, and Pantego TX.
Look at the Panel
Open your breaker panel and look at the wires going into the breakers. Aluminum wire is silver-colored — not the dull orange-copper color of copper wire. The insulation may also be marked "AL" or "ALUMINUM." If your electrical panel services in Arlington TX are also due, we check both in one visit.
Check Outlet and Switch Boxes
If any outlets or switches have been replaced recently, look at the wire ends inside the box. Silver-colored wire is aluminum. A licensed electrician can confirm this quickly on a diagnostic visit without opening every wall.
Check the Attic or Crawlspace
If your home has an accessible attic or crawlspace, the wire runs are visible. Aluminum wire is slightly larger in diameter than copper of the same gauge and has a distinct silver color throughout its length.
Aluminum Wiring Repair and Retrofit Options in Arlington TX
There are three accepted methods for making aluminum wiring safe. We use all three depending on your home. We explain every option and let you decide.
Copalum Crimping
The method approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as the most reliable fix. A special tool permanently crimps a short copper pigtail directly onto the aluminum wire at every connection point. The copper end then connects to the outlet, switch, or fixture.
Must be done by a licensed electrician with the proper tool. Done at every connection in the home — typically 20 to 40 points per house.
AlumiConn Connectors
A CPSC-listed alternative to Copalum crimping. Small screw-down connectors join the aluminum wire to a short copper pigtail at each connection. No special tool required.
Accepted by the CPSC as a safe repair method when installed correctly. Faster to install and lower cost per connection — making it the right choice for many Arlington homes.
Full Rewiring with Copper
For homes where wiring has been damaged or a major renovation is underway. We replace the aluminum branch circuit wiring with copper throughout the entire home.
The most involved option — but permanently eliminates the aluminum wiring risk and brings the home to full current code. See our whole house rewiring in Arlington TX page for details.
Have Aluminum Wiring? Call (817) 754-5700
Bolt Electric handles aluminum wiring repair across all of Arlington TX. Licensed, insured, and experienced with older homes.
Aluminum Wiring in South Arlington, Pantego, and Dalworthington Gardens
We do a lot of aluminum wiring work in specific Arlington TX neighborhoods — and there is a clear reason why.
South Arlington saw significant residential growth in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Subdivisions were built quickly and at scale. Aluminum wiring was the standard choice for builders during that period. Many of these homes have never had their aluminum wiring addressed.
Dalworthington Gardens is a tight-knit community with homes dating back to the same era. Many homeowners in DWG have lived in their homes for decades. The aluminum wiring has been in the walls the whole time — quietly expanding and contracting at every connection.
Pantego has similar-era homes. Some have had updates over the years. Some have not. We inspect both and do not assume the updated-looking home is safe just because it has a fresh coat of paint.
If you live in one of these areas and your home was built before 1975, a home electrical safety inspection in Arlington TX is worth scheduling. It takes about an hour and gives you a clear picture of what is in your walls.
South Arlington TX — high concentration of 1965–1975 builds near I-20 and Sublett Road
Dalworthington Gardens TX — older residential neighborhood, many original electrical systems
Pantego TX — similar build era, consistent aluminum wiring findings
East and North Arlington along I-30 — some 1960s and 70s builds in this corridor
Kennedale TX — older homes covered for inspection and repair
Inspection First. No Pressure.
We inspect the home and tell you exactly what is there. We do not come in and say everything needs to be replaced. We find what is actually wrong and what is actually a risk.
We document all work completed — which matters if your insurance company asks for proof. Some Texas insurers charge higher premiums or decline coverage for homes with unaddressed aluminum wiring. After a documented CPSC-approved repair, many reconsider.
All permits are pulled through the City of Arlington electrical permits office. We handle all paperwork. You get a clean record of the completed work.
📞 Call (817) 754-5700Frequently Asked Questions - Aluminum Wiring Repair in Arlington TX
Aluminum wiring itself is not the danger. The danger is at the connection points. Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper under electrical load. Over time, this loosens connections at outlets, switches, and fixtures. Loose connections cause heat. Heat causes arcing. Arcing causes fires. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have a fire hazard condition at connections than copper-wired homes.
Check the build year first. Homes built between 1965 and 1973 have the highest chance. Look in your breaker panel for silver-colored wire marked "AL" or "ALUMINUM." Check any accessible outlet or switch box for silver-colored wire. If you are not sure, call us. An aluminum wiring inspection in South Arlington TX or Dalworthington Gardens TX takes about an hour and gives you a clear answer.
Yes. In most cases, full rewiring is not necessary. The two most widely accepted repair methods are Copalum crimping and AlumiConn connectors. Both add a copper pigtail at each connection point so outlets, switches, and fixtures connect to copper rather than directly to aluminum. This eliminates the loose-connection fire risk at every point. See our whole house rewiring in Arlington TX page if full replacement is needed.
Both are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as safe repair methods. Copalum crimping uses a special tool to permanently crimp a copper pigtail onto the aluminum wire — the gold standard. AlumiConn connectors use a screw-down device to join aluminum to copper without a special tool — faster and lower cost per connection. We use both and recommend the right one for your home after inspecting it.
The cost depends on the method used and the number of connection points in the home. An average house has 20 to 50 connection points that need to be addressed. We inspect the home first, count the connections, and give you a firm price before any work starts. There are no surprise charges after the job.
In most cases, yes. Aluminum wiring remediation involves opening electrical boxes throughout the home and modifying connections. The City of Arlington requires a permit for this type of work. Bolt Electric pulls all required permits and schedules the inspection. We handle all the paperwork so you do not have to.
Possibly. Some insurance companies in Texas charge higher premiums for homes with unaddressed aluminum wiring — or decline to insure them altogether. After a documented aluminum wiring repair using a CPSC-approved method, many insurers will reconsider the rate or reinstate coverage. We provide full documentation of the completed work that you can share directly with your insurer.
Get Aluminum Wiring Repair in Arlington TX
Most homeowners with aluminum wiring have no idea it is there. The wiring has been in the walls since the house was built. It works fine — until a connection gets loose enough to arc. The fix is not dramatic. Copalum crimping or AlumiConn connectors address the risk at every connection point. Most homes are done in one or two days. Bolt Electric has worked in South Arlington homes, Pantego homes, and Dalworthington Gardens homes where aluminum wiring has been in place for 50 years. We know what to look for and how to fix it right.
(817) 754-5700