Walltown Community Electrician Durham, NC
Walltown grew from George Wall's home near Trinity College into one of Durham's oldest neighborhoods. Brian Electric repairs and updates wiring in its early 1900s houses, duplexes and newer homes. Walltown is part of the 27705 zip code.
- Licensed in North Carolina
- Owners and landlords
- Free estimates
The Neighborhood
The Neighborhood George Wall Started
Walltown sits just north of Duke East Campus. George Wall was born enslaved and worked at Trinity College for about 50 years. The community that grew around his home became a working neighborhood for families who worked at the college and in the mills. City directories were calling it Walltown by 1923.
Walltown homes of every age, from the early 1900s to the last few years, are part of our work as a licensed electrician in Durham, NC.
- 1899
George Wall, a Trinity College custodian, buys a lot from the West End Land Company.
- 1906
He moves into his house on what is now Onslow Street.
- 1910s
Churches go up, and in 1919 the Walltown Graded School opens as a Rosenwald school.
- 1958
Two Walltown families file the first legal challenge to segregated Durham schools.
- 2024
Duke names its East Campus Union building for George and George-Frank Wall.
The Homes
Shotgun Houses, Bungalows and Early Duplexes
Most of Walltown was built from the early 1900s into the 1920s. Homes from those years were wired in the knob and tube era, often with two-prong outlets and small service. Many have been updated since, but older wiring can still turn up in walls and attics.
Shotgun Houses
One room wide, with rooms in a line from front to back. Found on Berkeley Street.
Early Cottages
One room deep, among the oldest houses, like those on the 1300 block of Englewood.
Four-Room Bungalows
Modest bungalows with a front porch, built as the neighborhood filled in.
1920s and 1930s Duplexes
Frame duplexes, often gable-front with a full porch, many of them rentals.
Many Are Rentals
The 1980 inventory found most houses south of Club Boulevard were rented. For landlords, a check between tenants catches loose outlets, missing GFCI protection and worn smoke alarms before they become problems. We work for landlords and property managers.
Walltown Today
A Neighborhood Planning Its Future
Residents launched the Walltown Small Area Plan in June 2024, with Northgate Mall's future in mind. City Council adopted it on August 18, 2025. The plan is advisory, and as of August 2025 no rezoning request had been filed for the mall site.
New building nearby often means new loads on older streets. If you are thinking about an addition, an ADU or more circuits at home, a quick load check helps you plan.
Places That Hold the Community Together
- Since 1949Walltown Park Recreation CenterRebuilt in 2009 to 2011 on the site of a center from 1949, at 1308 W. Club Blvd.
- Since 2000Walltown Children's TheatreOpened in October 2000 in a former church building on Berkeley Street.
- Onslow StreetNeighborhood churchesIncluding St. John Missionary Baptist on Onslow Street and St. James Baptist.
Storms and Low Ground
Low Ground Near Dye Branch
Part of Walltown sits on low land along Dye Branch, a stream in the Ellerbe Creek system, and the area can flash flood in heavy rain. Water and wiring do not mix. If water reaches outlets, a crawl space or the panel, here is what to do.
- Stay out of standing water if outlets, cords or appliances are in it.
- If you can reach the panel from a dry spot, turn off power to the wet area.
- Do not reset breakers or plug things back in until the wiring is checked.
- Have outlets, crawl space wiring and anything that got wet looked at before use.
Storms also bring power surges. A whole home surge protector at the panel helps protect what you plug in.
Newer Homes
Homes Built and Rebuilt Since 1994
In 1994, Self-Help began building and fixing up affordable homes in Walltown, with a $2 million loan from Duke. About 77 homes were built or rehabbed over the next decade, and nearly 80 families bought homes through the program.
Those homes were wired to the codes of their day. Now some are 30 years old, and families plug in far more than they did then. Before adding a big new load, we check whether the panel has room, and handle an electrical panel upgrade if it does not.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms wear out with age. Hardwired alarms in older homes may be past due for replacing.
More Circuits
Home offices, window units and new appliances can overload circuits sized for a smaller load.
An EV Charger
A Level 2 charger needs its own 240 volt circuit, so we check the panel first.
Why Choose Us
Why Walltown Calls Brian Electric
Walltown is home to owners who live here and landlords who rent near Duke. We work for both, in homes from the early 1900s to the last few years.
For Walltown homeowners
- Older wiring found and fixed
Early 1900s houses can still hide knob and tube in the walls. We find it and repair or replace it.
- A load check before new power
Before an EV charger or more circuits, we check that the panel has room.
- Help after storms and high water
We check outlets, crawl space wiring and the panel after water, and install whole home surge protectors.
For Walltown landlords
- Turnover checks between tenants
Loose outlets, missing GFCI protection and worn smoke alarms fixed before the next lease starts.
- One contact for every unit
We work with landlords and property managers across houses and duplexes.
- A 24/7 line for urgent calls
A burning smell or lost power at a rental is worth a call any hour.
15+ years of experience Licensed in North Carolina Permits pulled for you
Popular Services
Popular Electrical Services in Walltown
From shotgun houses to homes built in the last 30 years, these are the services Walltown homes call for most.
For Walltown Homeowners
All home services- Electrical RepairDead outlets, flickering lights and worn wiring found and fixed.
- Outlets and SwitchesTwo-prong outlets grounded or GFCI protected, so modern plugs fit safely.
- Electrical Panel UpgradesMore room in the panel for new appliances, central air or an EV charger.
- House Wiring and RewiringOld wiring in early 1900s houses replaced, room by room where possible.
- Surge ProtectionA whole home surge protector for storm season, with the ground checked first.
- EV Charger InstallationA home EV charger, after we confirm the panel can carry it.
- Ceiling Fan InstallationFans for small rooms in hot summers, on a fan-rated box.
- Lighting InstallationPorch and room lights, hung on boxes rated to hold them.
- Emergency ElectricianWater near wiring, a burning smell or lost power is worth a call. Our line is open 24/7.
For Landlords and Local Businesses
All commercial servicesFAQ
Walltown Electrical FAQs
Own or rent out a Walltown home? Tell us what is going on with the power, and we will help you sort out the next step.
Call (984) 271-2113My house is over 100 years old. Should I have the wiring checked?
Yes, especially if you see warm outlets, flickering lights or two-prong outlets. Many older homes have been updated, but old wiring can still be hiding in walls and attics.
What should I do if water reaches my outlets?
Stay out of the water, turn off power to the area if you can reach the panel from a dry spot, and do not reset breakers until the wiring has been checked.
Do you work for landlords in Walltown?
Yes. Many Walltown homes are rentals, and we work for the owners and managers who keep them up.
My home was built in the 1990s. Does it need updates?
It may. Smoke alarms wear out, and a home that now runs more appliances may need more circuits or a larger panel. We check and tell you what makes sense.
Can I add an EV charger to my home?
Usually. A Level 2 charger needs its own circuit, so we check the panel first and tell you if it has room.
Do you pull the permit?
Yes. When the job calls for a permit, we request it from the city and are there for the inspection.
Service Area
Serving Walltown and All of Durham
Walltown is one of the many Durham neighborhoods we serve. We also cover Old West Durham and Watts-Hillandale next door.