I just had a new whole house HVAC system installed which means I can remove the the baseboard heat in the basement. If I the wiring to the heaters is disconnected from the main panel and the heaters are taken out is it okay (according to code) to leave the wires in the wall?
If I do have to pull all the wiring is there a way to pull it without knocking out a lot of drywall?
And finally, what do you do witht he old wire? Can it be recycled?
Thanks!!
Replies
Kevin,
Not sure what code is, but I've come across plenty of abandoned wiring in my remodeling career. When I must leave some in the walls, I usually label it dead at both ends.
Steve
Edited 6/21/2008 3:06 pm by mmoogie
I believe you can leave it if removing it further would require more demo. You're supposed to remove all that you can get to.
Probably a good idea to label it or tie the ends together.
Around here, it is permissible to leave abandoned wiring inside of a wall.
If the wiring is exposed such as in an attic or unfinished basement our BI's want to see it removed.
We usually just cut the wire off as close as possible to where it enters a wall and shove the cut end inside of the wall. Good form (but no regulations) says that we strip back the sheathing, strip the all wires back and nut them all together with a wire nut - Sharpie note on the wire nut "dead" completes the package.
Obviously, the old wire needs to be disconnected from the breaker / fuse panel.
What to do with the old wire????? Around here, I could coil it up and set it on the curb in a Home Depot parking lot. It would not be there when I came out of the store.
Scrap copper being bought by the scrap yards for $ 3.+ per pound.
Jim
I was always told to put it in a box with a cover, and tie all the wires together with a wire nut, so it can't be energized.