The Silent Scorch Line

Our first home on 65th Avenue.

Our first home, constructed in 1905, offered a delightful window into history, showcasing numerous original elements that echoed its time period. In a corner of the basement, beside an old coal chute, there stood a vintage fuse box that had yet to be updated with a modern circuit breaker. Though seemingly minor, this detail constantly reminded us of the significant advancements in electrical technology over the last hundred years. Unlike modern circuit breakers that can be reset with a simple flick of a switch, the fuse box demanded the physical replacement of blown fuses following electrical surges, making it an occasionally delicate and frustrating part of maintaining the house. The presence of a fuse box also highlighted the house’s historic character and the layers of upgrades it had undergone, or missed, over time. Living there felt like traveling back in time, combining a sense of nostalgia with the real challenges involved in bringing a near-century-old dwelling up to current safety norms.

One summer, Ericka’s parents arrived for a visit, bringing not only their warm smiles but also a wealth of practical expertise to tackle the countless projects our century-old house required. This aged yet charming home, brimming with character, demanded both gentle attention and skilled effort to maintain its integrity while updating it for modern comfort. Together, we spent sun-filled days restoring worn storm windows and thinning the dense foliage of the front garden. Their recollections of growing up in similarly aged family homes added a heartfelt dimension to the work, transforming what might have been tedious chores into meaningful bonding moments spanning generations. Evenings were spent together on the front porch, enjoying a cool drink after a day well spent.

During their stay, I caught the whiff of an odd and somewhat disturbing smell in the kitchen. The scent was sharp and acrid, lingering unpleasantly in the air and pushing me to investigate. When I mentioned it, they quickly minimized my concerns, blaming the odor either on our malfunctioning toaster or the potatoes we had found rotting in the pantry. Although intrigued, I remained doubtful and inspected the kitchen and dining room outlets but found nothing amiss. As the hours passed, the odor grew stronger, causing me to feel increasingly anxious. After persistently voicing my concerns, I finally managed to get everyone involved in tracking down the source of the smell.

Since the main floor had already been thoroughly checked, we decided to head downstairs from the kitchen to investigate the basement for the source of the pungent smell lingering in the air. As we made our way down the narrow stairs, the basement’s cool and damp environment quickly enveloped us, amplifying the mysterious smell that had been less noticeable above. We meticulously examined every area, from the crowded shelves filled with stored items to the shadowy recesses of the furnace room, our senses alert for any evidence of mold, gas leaks, or overheated electrical outlets that might explain the smoky scent. The flickering fluorescent lighting cast long, eerie shadows against the concrete surfaces, heightening the urgency to identify the cause of the pungent odor before it escalated.

Upon entering the aged coal storage room, a sharp and unmistakable stench immediately assaulted my senses, signaling a serious issue. My gaze followed a scorch mark stretching from the fuse box up to the ceiling, a definite indication of overheating or possibly the aftermath of a minor electrical fire. The combination of the burnt plaster’s acrid odor mingling with the stale, musty air of the storage area confirmed my belief that electrical damage was the source of the smell. This finding was critical, as deteriorated wiring in such cramped, poorly ventilated rooms presents significant safety threats, including the risk of fire. I immediately determined that addressing this issue required engaging a qualified professional to ensure the safety of the environment and mitigate any potential risks.

This is what an old-fashioned fuse box looks like.

In our case, the fuse box was fine but a scorch line followed a wire up the wall. https://www.dreamstime.com/

The following day, we reached out to our insurance provider to report the damage caused by the obsolete fuse box. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the insurance representatives promptly arranged for a licensed electrician to examine the damage and evaluate the potential risks to our residence. After a detailed assessment, the insurer confirmed that the repairs were covered by our policy, which significantly eased the financial strain. With their consent, we were able to replace the fuse box with a modern circuit breaker and also upgrade the old outlets in the kitchen and bedrooms upstairs.

Fortunately, my friend’s husband, who owns Steve Andersen Electrical Contractors, agreed to assist right away. Aware of our budget constraints, Steve offered to install the new circuit breaker panel and update all the aging wiring in the house for the amount reimbursed by the insurance company. This improvement substantially increased the safety and efficiency of our electrical system, minimizing the chances of future fire hazards or malfunctions. Having such an experienced and reliable professional overseeing the repairs was a great comfort, transforming what could have been a stressful and hazardous situation into an opportunity to enhance our home’s electrical infrastructure for the future. 

As Steve and his team worked diligently over the next few days, the house began to feel safer and more modern without losing its historic charm. In the basement, the team transformed the hidden nerve center of our beloved home from a relic of the past into a safe, modern system capable of supporting our everyday lives without worry. In the kitchen, outdated two-prong outlets were swapped out for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets, enhancing protection against electrical shock. Upstairs, the antiquated power track system was removed and replaced by a wall-mounted outlet setup. Our historical home, once filled with questionable outlets and unsafe wiring, now held a reassuring warmth from the renewed sense of security and comfort filling our home.

Upstairs there was a plastic strip that ran around the bedrooms. We could move the singular outlets anywhere around the track.

That summer, amid the electrical renovations and other home improvement endeavors, we reconnected with the essence of our home – a harmonious fusion of history and modernity, sustained by care, community, and a mutual dedication to safety. Sitting again on the front porch, now fortified with a newfound sense of security, Ericka and I raised a toast to the memories created and to the years that lay ahead within those cherished walls. The transformation from an old-fashioned fuse box to a contemporary circuit breaker symbolized more than just technical upgrades; it represented a respectful homage to the past coupled with an embrace of progress, ensuring that our first home would remain a welcoming and warm sanctuary for generations to come.