The main problem with aluminum wiring was NOT the wiring itself, it was where the wires connected to outlets and fixtures.

And there are two generations of the wiring. Which do you have.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminum_building_wiring

I don't know? They house was built in 1967 and the inspector said it was single strand wire if that helps?

Typically wire of that era were single conductor - as opposed to a bunch of thin strands - sometimes the wire was solid aluminum, someties it was aluminum clad or covered with a copper film.

I have owned two homes with aluminum wiring. I forced myself to annually open each receptacle and make sure each connection was tight. I never had a problem.

As was pointed out above, aluminum is not a bad material - the problem generally arises where aluminum wiring is in electrical contact with a different metal... i.e copper.

If any heat occurs, say due to a loose connection, the wires expand at a different rate and the connection gets looser, and so forth.

I never had an issue with obtaining homeowners insurance.

By retrofit, do you mean the "pigtail" solution or an entire re-wiring?

If purchased, we are trying to get the seller to do the retrofitting that's less than rewiring the whole house, then we have plans in the near future to rewire the house. The sellers were asking for more than the appraisal, so they removed most of the extras we were given from the original offer since they had to come down on their price by a bit. Since our extra cash would be tied up into closing costs we don't think they'd be willing to do the rewiring. But if we can find and insurance company that would take retrofit, which I understand to be where they fix or add something to the ends of the wire connections at the box and lights/plugs/etc.. that would be a good starting point til we could save up to have it done the better way.

Regarding insurance, I called my current insurance and was told they found ONE company that would take the single stranded aluminum wire retrofitted at a quote of 2900/yr. My realtor found another, tho I dunno if they got the single stranded info, at 1900/yr. It may be a Florida thing since from my understanding there's less companies that insure here due to hurricanes?

The sellers decided they don't want to do anything to the wiring so we ended up cancelling the contract. Thanks for all your help :)

I think it is your loss, not the seller's.

I would have all the aluminum wire replaced with copper. Don't buy a house with aluminum wire. As an aside - builders used aluminum wire to save a couple of $100. So they probably scrimped other places in the home.

@SaktuDawg: "I think it is your loss, not the seller's." Why do say this?

"I forced myself to annually open each receptacle and make sure each connection was tight. I never had a problem." What kind of nut does this?

" As an aside - builders used aluminum wire to save a couple of $100."

Nonsense.The reason Al wiring came about was that a world wide shortage of Cu drove prices sky high. Canada came to the rescue.

"What kind of nut does this?"

What kind of person posts a moronic post like that?

An annual inspection was the recommendation in the 1980's. Took maybe two hours. Generally found nothing "loose."

"a world wide shortage of Cu drove prices sky high."

Only 'cheap' people used aluminum. What were they saving? A couple of $100 bucks? If they're that cheap - think of what else they scrimp on.

An annual inspection of your outlets? Bizarre / pathetic. Rip it out

We're here to give good advice to others. Aluminum wiring is not acceptable in this day.

"a world wide shortage of Cu drove prices sky high."

Even The Federal Government recognized the issue. Pennies minted after 1982 have been copper-plated zinc.

"Aluminum wiring is not acceptable in this day."
And it is not permitted- nor is un-grounded wiring distribution, nor tube and knobwiring, nor asbestos building materials in residences, nor a myriad of other things.

The uneducated and simplistic solution is to "rip it out." Yet the majority of owners do not do so - they research and determine what all options are to mitigate any risks. Sophisticated buyers continue to buy homes, armed with knowledge about the risks and required actions. Doubt it, look at all the homes that have changed hands multiple times without since the 1970s without "ripping out the wiring."

I hope the Op made his or her decision based on research other than this thread. I tried to explain in an early post what the mechanical issues are and what I did in the 1980s to address those issues. The National Electric Code (NEC) does offer steps to mitigate any risks associated with Al wiring, but the NEC does not require "ripping it out."

For some moronic reason you have decided to come after me - again. This follows a pattern wherein you weigh in, do not add value, and embark on a pattern of harassment and insults.

I'll not be back to this thread.

OP - sorry that your thread got destroyed.

Don't be paranoid - I feel a need to respond when you give such poor advice.

The uneducated and simplistic solution is to "rip it out." - You're the one with the insulting comments.

The uneducated and simplistic solution is to "rip it out."

Not to start a fight but I think there is some merit to the statement. I think this is part of the mentality today - a defect can't be fixed it must be removed or replaced. In reality, proper pigtailing with any one of the approved mechanical connectors will cost thousands less than replacing and be no more dangerous. The failure rate for these connectors is significantly lower than the failure rate for the outlets and wire nuts in an all copper system.

Once the conversion is complete there is a certificate that is provided by the electrical inspector and typically the insurance companies must insure you. There are liability problems with an insurance company specifying what is and isn't an acceptable repair so they typically don't. They leave that to others, most states also have rules about when an insurance company can consider something in or out of compliance.

Whether or not you want to deal with the expense and hassle is another discussion entirely, but there is really no need to spend 4 or 5 times more on a replacement.

There are hundreds of thousands if not millions of homes that have Al wiring. I've had two. My current home was built in 1973 - I have been in it since 1989.

Zero issues. It is in compliance with local code

Do I wish it was Cu? Of course.

Is it a problem? Not with a minimum of attention. It is absolutely moronic to suggest that a home built with either Al or Cu Clad wiring should be rewired before sale or just to make someone happy.

I live in a rather upscale development in the MD suburbs of DC. The homes in my development sell in the $550K - $650K area routinely - gasp, with Al or Cu Clad wiring.

I'm glad you are comfortable with your decision. I do hope you were not influenced by moronic posts by people that have seemingly no experience in owning homes with this wiring.

@SaltiDawg: " I do hope you were not influenced by moronic posts "

Wow - what a diplomat. Is that your level of education speaking? You feel a need to label a different of opinion?