HOME INSPECTIONS NJ

IN-GROUND OIL TANK LOCATION IN-GROUND OIL TANK - One of the major concerns of buying an older home that has been converted from oil to gas is, where is the old oil tank?. Some other very important questions a buyer should be asking about the fuel system conversion are: Was the tank in the ground. ....,Is it still in the ground....How can I be certain that there is no buried tank that may be causing a environmental contamination problem. Many times the present owner of the property is the fourth or fifth owner and he has no knowledge of any buried oil tanks. Under these conditions, I strongly suggest that the buyer make sure there is no abandon oil tank buried on the property with a tank search if necessary. To protect yourself from a possible environmental oil leak problem, we recommend the following: THE HOME INSPECTOR - Even though buried oil tanks are not included in standard home inspections, our home inspectors are well aware of the tell tale signs of in ground oil tanks. And, if any signs of a abandon oil tank are noted, our Inspectors will give the buyer a courtesy tank report. However, I must say at this point, the only way to really be certain that there is no tank, is to have a tank search done with a special metal detector by a professional tank service company. SOME TELL TALE SIGNS OF AN ABANDON TANK - our home inspectors will look for a fuel filler line or a tank vent line sticking out of the ground. If these tank lines are found, there is a very good chance that there is an abandon tank right under the line. When our home inspectors inspect the basement they will also look for disconnected oil feed line coming through the basement wall. And, when our home inspectors inspect the basement floor, they will be looking for oil feed lines buried it the concrete floor that run over to the furnace area. If any of these signs of an in-ground oil tank are noted, our home inspectors will note the observation in the home inspection report and recommend that an in -ground tank search be conducted. IN-GROUND OIL TANK - REMOVAL OR SAND FILL IN GENERAL TERMS - HOW TO PROPERLY DECOMMISSION A TANK Once an in-ground abandon tank is discovered, take action as soon as possible to remove the tank. The author makes this statement for some very good reasons. First of all, all metal oil tanks, sooner or later, "will rust and leak." Even a small leak over time can result in a very expensive costly clean up. It is not unusual for the environmental clean up cost to start at the twenty five thousand dollars area and just keep escalating. And, if the Hazard Insurance policy has an exclusionary clause for environment clean up, the owner is responsible for the cost of the clean up. For these reasons it is extremely important to have the tank checked for leaks and the ground checked for contamination before the purchase of the property. TIPS ON HOW TO PROPERLY DECOMMISSION A TANK (1) Call the township where the tank is located to obtain the latest rules and regulations on how to decommission an oil tank . Complete the required forms and pay the permit fee. (2) Hire a tank removal contractor and make sure he has errors and omission insurance. The first thing the contractor will do is remove any oil that may be in the tank. Next he will remove the dirt to access the tank. If the tank is to be filled with sand, he will then cut the top off the tank and clean the interior of the tank. (3) After the tank is cleaned, the township inspector will be notified that the tank is ready for the final inspection. The township inspector will then examine the tank and give authorization to either fill or remove the tank. (4) After the tank is filled or removed, the owner will receive a certification that the tank has been properly decommissioned. TANK LEAK TESTING If you are buying a property with a working in-ground oil tank, it’s imperative that the tank be tested for leaks before purchase. Don’t assume that the insurance the present owner has on the tank covers ground contamination. Again, hire a professional oil tank testing company that has errors and omission insurance. And, a company that has the ability to test the tank for leaks, deterioration and the ground for contamination. NOTE - If the oil tank is above ground or in the basement and is readily visible and not enclosed, our home inspectors will make a visible inspection of the tank for leaks.

SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTIONS On the east coast, the average cost of a new septic system is anywhere between twenty and sixty thousand dollars. G Warren Inc only hires outside professional septic system inspectors. This type inspection is so important, we feel that a specialist in the septic systems business is imperative. We feel that the simple dye test that some home inspection companies offer is completely inadequate. The author says this because, a septic field that is in poor condition and at the end of life, can function very well if it has not used and dried out for a week or two. A simple red dye would not detect a poor dried out leach field. G Warren Inc, home inspections assumes every septic field has been dried out and needs the hydraulic load test which will be explained later in this text. AN ADEQUATE SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION WILL INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING (A) The grounds will be inspected for obvious absorption problems (b) Remove the septic tank cover and inspect the tank condition. ©) Check the distribution system to the leach fields. (D) Check the house fixtures, flush the toilets and check for backup and slow fixture drainage. (E) A real good test of the system is with the hydraulic load test. This test involves the introduction of a high volume of measured water into the absorption system and then measure the amount of water absorbed over a 24 hour period. This is an expensive test but well worth the cost, if the septic system is a non-functional the replacement is very expensive.

LEAD PAINT TESTING It is estimated that over 75% of all houses built before 1978 have lead base paint. It seems that the two main concerns about lead based paint is a small child eating paint chips. and lead paint dust in the air caused by sanding or scraping paint.. CHILD EATING PAINT CHIPS - Some real old houses that are in poor condition with paint actually stripping of the walls and ceiling are the most dangerous for paint poison to young children. Young children will pick up and eat the paint chips. When walls and ceilings are in the paint pealing condition, they should be replaced or covered with new sheet rock material. Another dangerous area is the window sills, infants just learning to walk seem to hang on the window sills for balance, and then chew on the lead based painted sill. LEAD PAINT DUST - lead paint becomes dangerous when it is sanded or scraped, and the fine dust like particles of lead gets into the air. Then if a person breaths in the lead contaminated air they could become lead poisoned. We suggest if one must remove lead based paint, precautions be taken to remove the paint in a safe manner. We suggest you consult an expert in the field before starting the project or hire a professional contractor that specializes in this type work.

ASBESTOS TESTING Again, G Warren Inc. home inspections, uses outside professional certified asbestos inspectors for all asbestos inspections. Home inspectors cannot test for asbestos because to be sure its asbestos, the material has to be sent to a certified testing lab for identification.. For this reason, asbestos identification and testing is not included in a standard home inspection. However, even though asbestos is not included in the home inspection, if our home inspectors see any asbestos like materials they will give a courtesy report to the buyer so the issue can be addressed before closing. Asbestos in the residential home is usually found on steam pipes and in the 9 inch floor tiles. And, as per the asbestos experts, asbestos is not really dangerous if left undisturbed. Asbestos only becomes dangerous when it is removed improperly and the asbestos fibers get into the air.

IN-GROUND SWIMMING POOL INSPECTIONS Once again, G Warren inc. Home Inspections, uses outside professional certified pool inspectors. Do not be surprised if the pool inspection cost more than the home inspection. To give the reader an idea as to the complexity of a good pool inspection, the following items should be inspected: (A) The pool itself, normally there are three types of pools, concrete, vinyl- lined or fiberglass. The pool inspector will be looking for damage and deterioration and holes in the vinyl. A leaking pool can do some very costly damage if left unchecked. It is not uncommon for the basement wall facing the pool to have severe water damage caused by a leaking in-ground pool. When our home inspectors are inspecting a house with an in-ground pool, the basement walls and floor are given special attention. They will be examining the walls and floor for cracks, signs of moisture, and structural displacement. (B) Decks, diving boards and related accessory equipment. (C) Pool equipment such as, pumps, filters, pool heater, etc.

LINKS DISCLAIMER G. Warren Inc. makes no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, including but not limited to the qualification, work quality, product quality, quality of service, regulatory compliance or fitness of any companies linked to from this site. You, the user, acknowledge and agree that G. Warren Inc. is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources and that G. Warren Inc. does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, or other material on or available from such sites or resources. The user further acknowledges and agrees that G. Warren Inc. shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on or through any such site or resource.