Admin

Who Took The Copper?

By
Home Inspector with Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC

I received a call from a client who was interested in buying old houses in Mobile. He needed an inspection as soon as possible. He was dealing with a seller out of California. I made an appointment to meet him last Friday afternoon. He walked me across the street from his business where a house stood that was built in the thirties. It reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up in, living room, dinning room, kitchen, bath and two bedrooms. I began in the inside and noticed the plumbing was not turned on. The house had been vacant for a while so I went to the water meter and turned on the water to finish my inspection. Still no water.

I ventured outside and heard water running. Not just running, but pouring out from under the house. I found an opening in the skirting surrounding the house and went in for a better look after I turned the water off at the meter. I discovered the dreaded copper thief had been there before me. All the copper water pipe was gone.  The client used the Inspection Report to get out of the deal. Another happy customer.

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Bob Elliott
Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL
Chicago Property Inspection
Ha Ha..You did say he was looking for a older place.
Jun 29, 2007 11:14 AM
Vicki Watzlawick
CORE Realty (The Watz Team) - Algonquin, IL
Illinois Foreclosure Expert, The Watz Team
Jerome..here in the southern burbs the Scavangers and bums actually rip off Aluminum siding from homes, take the copper, etc., whatever metal they can get their hands on that the scrap yards will pay them for.  SO if you see a half naked house..that's usually what has happened. 
Jun 30, 2007 02:42 AM
David Helm
Helm Home Inspections - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp
As far as I'm concerned, scavengers can take all the aluminum siding in existence.  The stuff is really bad and usually was sold by an itinerant salesman and was poorly installed.
Jul 02, 2007 05:31 PM
Jerome Cartier
Cartier Fine Home Inspections, LLC - Fairhope, AL
Cartier Fine Home Inspections
The owner of this house lived in California. The Inspection was in Mobile Alabama. The buyer was working a deal with the owner via Telephone/Fax/US Mail/Check Book and had the keys to the property. He asked me to turn all breakers and valves on, per permission, to begin the Inspection on this vacant property. No Realtor involved. I had the tools. The Buyer had none. 
Jul 17, 2007 01:40 PM
Vicki Watzlawick
CORE Realty (The Watz Team) - Algonquin, IL
Illinois Foreclosure Expert, The Watz Team
Ouch Tim!   Duh Thanks for that comment Jerome, I think you saved some of my hide.





Jul 17, 2007 03:20 PM
Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks
Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH
Inspector Mike

I inspected one yesterday that has 1 1/2 and 3" copper drain lines.

Imagine if they saw that copper!

Jul 18, 2007 12:35 AM
David Helm
Helm Home Inspections - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp
I run into a lot of 50s homes with copper drain lines.  I also still see a lot of high end homes with copper gutters and roof flashings.  I once saw a home with a copper roof.  It'd be interesting to see someone try to steal that.
Jul 18, 2007 12:24 PM
Bob Elliott
Elliott Home Inspection - Chicago, IL
Chicago Property Inspection
Once a copper roof turns that mint green they are beautiful.They take over ten years to turn but I tell people my secret if they are in a hurry miracle grow contains a specific acid which will turn any metal green over night
Jul 18, 2007 01:39 PM