Tag Archives: home inspector

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No Gutters present at this home inspection

Every once in a while I come across a home with no gutters.  

The point of a gutter and leader (downspout) systems is to collect rainwater from the roof and direct it away from the building foundation by means of leader extensions, splash blocks, or underground drain lines.

 

An improperly functioning gutter and leader system can add to water and ice backing up against fascias and under roof shingles, can damage soffits, and can discolor or deteriorate siding materials. Faulty gutters and leaders can also lead to soil erosion adjacent to buildings and serious water and foundation displacement problems in basements and crawl spaces.

 

Gutter systems take more abuse from extreme weather conditions, particularly ice and snow, than any other component of the building envelope. They are also subject to damage from ladders and being stepped on, as well as from falling tree limbs and debris.

 

Gutters should be sloped a minimum of 1 inch for every 40 feet of run. Standing water may indicate a sagging or incorrectly pitched gutter.

Home Inspections and underground oil tanks

Oil Tank

If you see a gas fired furnace or boiler in the basement of home that you are interested in purchasing  after a home inspector goes through and discovers evidence of an underground oil tank during the home inspection you will need to take some precautions.

Evidence of an existing or pre existing tank can include copper lines transitioning a foundation wall. Exterior fill pipes exiting the ground.  Often though the tank was in the basement and removed. The tanks placement can often be found by marks on the concrete floor where the oil lines ran along the floor or the feet of the tank leaving marks in the concrete.

Circumstances can vary upon the discovery of a tank. Some tanks are removed others are filled with sand under the ground.

Active oil tanks under ground can often pose problems. Leaching oil from cracked tanks can cause many problems. Large remediation expenditures are not uncommon.  I remember a situation about 25 years ago when a leaking oil line cost over $500,000. to remediate only to eventually result in the demolition of the home.

Today oil tanks are not installed underground. Some older towns like Aberdeen and Middletown will have tanks underground that were installed in the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s.

I have been told by some remediation companies that all tanks leak. It is a matter of degrees.

For your home inspection call us at 800-989-3872  or visit us on the web at  www.pinnaclehomeinspections.com 

If your home inspector finds evidence of an oil tank you can get the soil scanned by a tank service company. This will let you know if there is a tank anywhere on the property.

9″ Asbestos Tiles

As home inspectors in NJ we see asbestos tiles on inspections in older homes. They were popular in the 40′s, 50′s and 60′s. These tiles are considered safe when they are not damaged.

Asbestos must be inhaled or injested in order to pose a health risk.  If we find asbestos tiles on an inspection we will recommend the tiles be either removed or more preferably covered.

call for your inspection 800-989-3872  or visit us on the web at www.pinnaclehomeinspections.com