Oil tanks that are above the ground also need replacement. - 08/29/08 07:47 PM
I see many oil tanks in basements and crawl spaces, and many times these tanks look like they came off Noahs Ark. These tanks have been in service 30, 40 and sometimes more than 50 years. Why is it so shocking to people the hear that the tank is in need of replacement?
I know it looks okay from the outside - sometimes they all do, but the inside is where the damage is occurring. All heating oil contains water. It can't be helped. Sometimes your oil delivery truck, if it has been sitting with a half empty tank, can have … (2 comments)

Microwaves and cabinets above the stove can melt or burn! - 08/25/08 06:15 PM
I have seen a few cabinets and microwave ovens above the stovetop lately that have been much too close. Wood cabinets can burn if heated to the right temperature, and microwave ovens sometimes have plastic bottoms or faces that can melt.
When you buy a rangehood the directions state the unit must be at least 24 inches above the stovetop. You could probably get away with less, but too much less is a fire hazard. Imagine cooking a large pot (8 inches tall) of spaghetti, now all this humid heat is pummeling the microwave or cabinet above it.
Learn not to burn! - Ray
… (2 comments)

Federal Pacific circuit breaker panels are fire hazards! - 08/18/08 10:34 AM
I performed an inspection yesterday in Briarwood Queens in an apartment building that is now a co-op. The buyers were not originally going to have the dwelling inspected. The agent convinced them it would be in their best interest to have this done, so they called me.
Some receptacles and switches were old, and one was damaged, but the biggest 'find' was the circuit breaker panel. This is one of the notorious Federal Pacific Stab-Lock service panels that is known for causing electrical fires in building and homes in many areas. I see these panels regularly.
Most inspectors know about these … (1 comments)

Packed to the rafters is an understatement. - 08/17/08 09:41 AM
Have you seen houses where the occupants have their stored items packed in every conceivable place? The garage ceiling, the attic, the basement, the crawl space, even the shed, are filled to capacity with boxes, decorations, lumber, foodstuffs, dead bodies (just kiddin').
The house I inspected yesterday had so much stuff packed above the supports in the garage that the nails were backed out and the support lumber was about to fall down. There must have been 500 lbs of stuff up there and it was in imminent danger of collapsing. I even told the seller I would have to go … (5 comments)

Slate roofs are a blessing and a curse. - 08/16/08 01:37 PM
Some of the homes I inspect have beautiful slate roofs, but most of the time they do not appear to be well maintanined. Loose slates can land on your head if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Others flake, or chip at the edges. This can abviously cause water infiltration issues.
You really should have the roof checked annually by a roofer who does slate roof installations, as many roofing companies do not. There is a certain amount of finesse required for this type of work. Special tools and methods are also required.
Removing the slates and replacing … (7 comments)

Overtaxed electrical systems. - 08/15/08 05:31 PM
Most inspectors remove the cover from the electrical service panel to inspect wiring methods. Rarely do I see perfection, and many times there a minor repairs needed. I have seen older, small service panels where all the original breakers were removed, and twin breakers were installed in their place, essentially doubling the amount of breakers in the panel. This can be a fire hazard.
Homeowners who finish off every square inch of basement, garage, attic, etc will have newer circuits for these finished areas, but never call an electrician. If many of these newer circuits are being used simultaneously, and if the circuit … (1 comments)

When stealing copper from vacant homes, please leave the oil lines behind. - 08/11/08 10:06 PM
I have seen 3 houses in the past 3 days that had all the copper piping stolen. They even took the small diameter copper line from the oil tank and released oil onto the floor in the basement. These theives really caused a mess in this last home. Oil and water all over the floor - plus the smell!
I expect I will be seeing more and more of this in the coming weeks, so it may be wise to check the security of your listings if you haven't already. I have heard of a couple living in their home that was … (15 comments)

Sloppy electrical work at a sellers house causes alarm to first-time buyers. - 08/10/08 11:18 AM
I see all too often at home inspections wiring that appears poorly installed. Loose receptacles, old sloppy wall switches, and generally amateur installations. These things are of concern for many home inspectors because they see the same thing I see - homeowners who think they are electricians.
When you take a listing, it may be worth the time to look around. If you see shoddy work or missing outlet and switch covers, it might be best to have these things addressed by a licensed contractor before the house is shown. The first time buyers I have dealt with lately have expressed … (5 comments)

He who is cheapest is not the best. He who is the best is not cheap. - 08/09/08 07:08 PM
I get calls once in a while where the caller is only interested in what the fee is for an inspection. Nothing else is asked. No questions about associations, or background, or continuing education.
When you pay for any service, there are always the 'cheap guy', and the 'expensive guy'. What you get with each can vary greatly. If you do not ask questions, how do you know what you are getting. This puts the consumer at a disadvantage, but these calls are from people who's only interest is to save as much money as possible.
I see on our local real … (5 comments)

Stony Brook Small Business Developement Center on Long Island - 08/07/08 09:31 PM
I attended a different kind of networking meeting today. I go to many of these events, but this was at a local university that has a local business incubator, and the successes are many. This monthly event is free and is sponsored by the New York State Small Business Developement Center. Many states have these free resources, but so many people do not know about them. Stony Brook University is a well known in the area. 
I went to this free service when I started my business to help get a handle on how to properly start a small business. They were helpful, … (2 comments)

You can't please everybody, but ... - 08/06/08 09:28 PM
I deal with many agents on Long Island and I have a pretty good idea of how to please most of them when it comes to inspection. I feel I also do equally well with sellers and, of course, my clients.
I know the agents 'need this deal to go through', but I cannot make sure it does. I know the seller doesn't want to put any money into the house, but sometimes they must. I know the buyer doesn't want to lay out any money for unexpected breakdowns of equipment or appliances after they move in, but sometimes they must as … (4 comments)

Long Island Home Inspector gets continued business from the foreclosure bus tours. - 08/05/08 06:59 PM
I went along on many of the tours given by LIFT -the Long Island Foreclosure Tours. I worked with many of their fine people, some of which are now personal friends. With the amount of people I met on these tours, I knew some would wind up being customers.
I just finished the 8th inspection for someone who attended a tour, but in this case found a home through an investor. This house was a real nightmare though. The investor was slapping up sheetrock on the old wood lath that had the plaster removed - with no insulation behind the new sheetrock. … (0 comments)

Duct tape is used for auto repairs, hostages mouths, and damaged windows, not for ductwork! - 08/04/08 04:02 PM
When I see heating and cooling ducts in basements and attics, I am always running into hanging duct tape. This is one of the WORST products of all time! The stuff doesn't work! I have never seen it on ductwork where it has stayed put.
Aluminum or foil tape should be used on ductwork connections, and will properly stick to the surface if the surface is relatively clean.
I see whole duct systems where every joint has duct tape, and the tape has fallen off. I was in someones attic that was completely air conditioned because the tape had released without … (0 comments)

 

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