Atlanta Electrical Services
Between 1965 and 1973, builders across the country — including right here in Metro Atlanta — wired about 2 million homes with aluminum branch circuit wiring. Copper prices were high, aluminum was cheap, and nobody thought twice about it. Fifty years later, we're still dealing with the consequences. The CPSC has documented that homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to reach fire-hazard conditions at connections than homes wired with copper.
I'm Jordan Jones, master electrician and owner of JD Works Electrical. I've replaced aluminum wiring in homes across Atlanta for over 15 years — from ranch houses in College Park to split-levels in Chamblee. The problem with aluminum isn't the wire itself sitting in your wall. It's what happens at every connection point: outlets, switches, light fixtures, and splice boxes. Aluminum expands more than copper when it heats up. Over thousands of thermal cycles, connections loosen. Loose connections arc. Arcing starts fires inside walls where you can't see them.
We offer two proven fixes: full copper rewiring (remove the aluminum, pull new copper) and COPALUM pigtailing (the only crimp method the CPSC considers a permanent repair). Both bring your home up to current NEC code. We're licensed and insured in Georgia, and we've handled everything from single-circuit pigtail jobs to whole-house rewires that took a week.
Warning Signs
The CPSC's own data shows aluminum-wired homes have 55 times the fire-hazard rate at connections compared to copper. It's not fear-mongering — it's documented. The risk compounds every year as connections continue to loosen from thermal cycling.
Many Georgia insurance carriers won't write a policy on a home with aluminum wiring — or they'll charge a significant premium. Some require documented remediation (COPALUM pigtailing or full rewire) before they'll cover you. If you're buying or selling, this will come up.
If your outlet covers feel warm, you see discoloration around switch plates, or lights flicker for no clear reason, those are signs of failing aluminum connections. The heat you feel at the cover plate is coming from resistance at the connection — that means the wire is arcing behind the wall.
Aluminum oxidizes when exposed to air, forming a resistive layer on the wire surface. When aluminum contacts copper or brass devices directly (which is how most outlets are built), galvanic corrosion accelerates the breakdown. The connection degrades from both sides.
Our Process
Step 01
We open every outlet, switch, and junction box to confirm which circuits have aluminum. Some homes have it on every branch circuit; others only on certain runs. We document every connection point, check for signs of overheating, and map the full scope of work.
Step 02
We walk you through the two proven repair methods — full copper rewire or COPALUM pigtailing — with honest pros, cons, and pricing for each. No pressure. We explain what your insurance company needs and what makes the most sense for your home and budget.
Step 03
For pigtailing, we crimp COPALUM connectors at every aluminum-to-device connection in the house. For full rewire, we pull new 12 AWG copper through the walls, install new breakers, and replace every outlet and switch. Both methods get documented for your insurance company.
Step 04
Every connection is tested under load. We provide a completion certificate with before-and-after photos that satisfies insurance requirements. Your panel gets relabeled, and we walk you through everything we did before we leave.
Common Questions
Yes. Aluminum wiring used in residential branch circuits during the 1960s and 70s is a documented fire hazard. The CPSC found homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have fire-hazard conditions at outlets and connections than homes with copper. The problem is aluminum expands and contracts more than copper when it heats up. Over decades of thermal cycling, connections loosen. Loose connections create resistance. Resistance creates heat. Heat starts fires. It's not a matter of if — it's when.
Check the exposed wiring in your attic, basement, or garage. Aluminum wire has a dull silver color compared to copper's orange-brown. Look at the wire jacket printing — it'll say AL or ALUMINUM. You can also check your electrical panel. If your home was built between 1965 and 1973 in the Atlanta area, there's a strong chance it has aluminum branch circuits. We can confirm it during an inspection — sometimes only certain circuits were wired with aluminum.
It can. Many insurance companies in Georgia will either refuse to cover homes with aluminum wiring, charge higher premiums, or require remediation before issuing a policy. Some carriers want documentation that COPALUM connectors or a full copper rewire has been completed. If you're buying or selling a home with aluminum wiring in the Atlanta market, this is often the first thing that comes up during underwriting.
A full copper rewire for a typical 1,500-to-2,000-square-foot Atlanta home runs $8,000 to $15,000 depending on accessibility, number of circuits, and how much drywall work is needed. COPALUM pigtailing — connecting short copper extensions to each aluminum connection point using a specialized crimp tool — runs $3,000 to $6,000 for a whole house. Pigtailing is the CPSC-recommended repair if full rewiring isn't feasible. We'll walk you through both options with an exact quote.
Pigtailing splices a short piece of copper wire to the end of each aluminum connection using a COPALUM crimp connector — the only method the CPSC considers a permanent repair. The aluminum stays in the walls but never contacts outlets, switches, or devices directly. Full replacement removes the aluminum entirely and pulls new copper wire through the walls. Full replacement is the most thorough fix but costs more and may require some drywall patching. Pigtailing is a proven, code-approved alternative when full rewiring isn't practical.
Related Services
Not sure if you have aluminum wiring? Our inspection checks every accessible wire, outlet, and panel connection. You'll know exactly what's in your walls.
Learn MoreWhen we rewire your home, it's the perfect time to add dedicated circuits for appliances, HVAC, and workshops. New copper on new breakers — done right from the start.
Learn MoreEgress lighting, dedicated circuits for fire alarm and sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, and inspection-ready installations for restaurants, retail, and warehouses.
Learn MoreWhat Our Customers Say
"Jordan upgraded our panel from 100 to 200 amps and explained every step of the process. No surprises on the bill, and he cleaned up after himself like he was never here. That's rare."
Marcus T.
Homeowner — Brookhaven, GA