Maybee Property Inspections

Black copper and aluminum wiring are two things inspectors pay close attention to — but for very different reasons.

Black Copper Wiring
When copper turns black, it’s usually a sign of:

* Moisture intrusion
* Corrosion or oxidation
* Overheating
* Chemical contamination (often from sulfur compounds or poor environments)

The problem is the corrosion can increase electrical resistance, which creates heat. In severe cases, connections can become loose or fail completely. We commonly see this in damp crawlspaces, attics with poor ventilation, around roof leaks, or older overheated connections.

Aluminum Branch Wiring
Aluminum wiring itself is not automatically “bad,” but older solid aluminum branch wiring (commonly installed in the late 1960s–1970s) has a history of:

* Expanding and contracting more than copper
* Loose terminations
* Overheating connections
* Oxidation at devices and splices

That combination can create fire hazards if not properly repaired or maintained. Special connectors and approved remediation methods are often recommended.

As inspectors, we’re not just looking at the wire type — we’re looking for signs of heat, corrosion, improper terminations, double taps, and unsafe modifications.

“Electricity usually gives warnings before it gives problems.”

Found a broken truss in the attic of a brand-new build today. Framer’s exact words: “Central inspections won’t catch it.”
Cool. Cool cool cool. 😎
Spoiler alert, my guy — I caught it. Because I’m not central inspections. I’m the inspector your buyer hired, and I climb into attics specifically to find the stuff you’re hoping nobody climbs into attics to find.
Trusses are engineered. A broken one isn’t something you patch with a prayer and a 2x4 — it needs a written repair from the truss manufacturer or a structural engineer. Period.
Moral of the story: hire your own inspector. The city’s inspector doesn’t work for you. I do.