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Straight Talk About Abandoned
In-Ground Oil Tank Removal
ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY A NEW HOME
BUYER IS, HOW DO I KNOW IF THERE IS AN ABANDONED OIL TANK
ON THE PREMISES?
As an experienced home inspector, a licensed real estate
appraiser and a real estate investor, I give the following
advice:
(A) To really be sure there isnt an in-ground oil tank, one
must hire a professional with a special metal detector to
search the property. This search costs about $250.00. But
before spending any money on such a search, I suggest that
the buyer first have a complete home and termite inspection.
If the house is not acceptable and the purchase is
terminated, the buyer could save the $250.00 tank search.
(B) Before starting the home inspection, ask the inspector
to examine the grounds close to the house for any signs of
an in-ground tank. Even though an in-ground tank is outside
the scope of the home inspection, if the inspector sees
signs of an in-ground tank, a courtesy report can be entered
into the report and save the buyer the $250.00 search fee.
Many times there are tell-tale signs of an in-ground oil
tank such as a visible vent and/or filler pipes sticking up
through the ground from the tank. Also, in the basement
there may be disconnected oil lines coming through the
foundation wall which were the feed lines from a one time
in-ground oil tank. Another sign is a concrete channel that
had been cut into the basement floor that leads to the
furnace area. All oil lines running to a furnace must be
covered by concrete for safety reasons. Most times when the
lines are removed and the channel filled, a different
colored fill concrete is a sure sign of a one time oil tank.
Any of these signs is a good indication of a tank that has
been removed or, there is still a tank in the ground. An
almost sure sign that there is a tank is when a filler pipe
is found in ground.
WE FOUND AN IN-GROUND TANK, NOW WHAT?
RULE ONE, under no condition purchase the house, no matter
how good the deal is until the tank and ground are tested
for any environmental contamination. The tank could have
been abandoned many years ago with a couple hundred gallons
of oil still in the tank. That oil may have leaked out over
the years and contaminated the ground. A serious
environmental condition is something you dont need to
inherit with the purchase. If an in-ground tank is
discovered, notify your attorney immediately about the tank
and have him ask the seller to provide the E. P. A.
certification that the tank has been properly
decommissioned.
WHAT IF THE SELLER SAYS THAT HE BOUGHT THE HOUSE AS IS,
HE
DIDNT KNOW THERE WAS IN-GROUND TANK AND HES NOT PAYING FOR
ANY TANK TESTING.
Well, because he bought the house as is doesnt make the
problem acceptable. Now the buyer has a decision to make,
either walk away and look for another house or pay for the
tank and ground test. If I really wanted the house, I
personally would pay for the tank and ground test. However,
under no circumstances would I purchase a property with an
untested oil tank. At this point I must give the reader
another tip. If you have to pay for the tank and ground
test, make sure you hire a reputable company to do the
testing. A word of caution, the job is too important to hire
a company based on price alone. Make sure the testing
company has all the latest high-tech testing equipment.
THE SELLER SAYS HE DID HAVE AN IN-GROUND TANK BUT HAD IT
REMOVED OR FILLED WITH SAND.
Your attorney should ask the seller for the township for
certification that the tank was environmentally properly
filled with sand or removed. One cannot just remove a tank
or fill it with sand without the proper documentation from
the NJDEP. These papers will be filed with the township.
WHAT IF THE SELLER SAYS THE TANK WAS REMOVED YEARS AGO
BEFORE THE NJDEP DOCUMENTATION WAS REQUIRED.
(A) Ask where the tank was located. If you can find the old
location, I suggest taking a ground contamination test in
the area. Some would say at this point, Arent you going a
little too far with this testing thing? With the tank gone
you are probably safe to say that no further action is
necessary but if you ever had any dealings with MURPHYS
LAW, you wont hesitate to test the ground for
contamination. (MURPHYS LAW BEING - IF IT CAN HAPPEN IT
WILL HAPPEN) By testing the ground you will know for sure if
there is a contamination problem.
A TRUE STORY
I was inspecting a small house that seemed like a nice clean
little house. When I got to the basement area, I detected a
faint odor of oil, the type of oil used as fuel. The
basement also had a small crawl space area with a dirt floor
where a fuel storage tank was located. I crawled into the
space to examine the tank and found a very slow leak. The
leak was so small that one could not even see a drop forming
on the tank. There wasnt any big oil spot under the tank,
just a little spot about 4 inches in diameter. Knowing the
danger of oil contamination, I strongly urged the buyer not
to purchase the house until the ground under the oil tank,
in a tight crawl space, was tested for contamination.
About a month later I received a call from the same buyer
requesting another home inspection on a different house.
When I asked her why she was not buying the first house, she
said forget it. The house cant be sold. She said that the
buyer had the ground tested for contamination and it had
serious oil contamination. She went on to tell me that the
little leak has caused $65,000.00 worth of contamination.
The EPA was now involved in the clean up and the house
cannot be sold.
THE SELLER SAYS HE HAS INSURANCE ON THE TANK THAT CAN BE
TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW BUYER.
MAKE SURE the insurance policy covers ground contamination.
Many insurance policies only cover the tank for a leak. Have
your attorney go over the insurance policy thoroughly. I
would also suggest that you call the insurance company and
have them verify that ground contamination is covered. I
have yet to know of an insurance company that is in business
to pay claims.
TO SUM UP WHEN YOU ARE BUYING A HOUSE WITH AN IN-GROUND
OIL TANK BE CAUTIOUS.
(A) If there is a functioning in-ground tank, test the tank
for leaks and the ground for contamination.
(B) If there is an abandoned in-ground tank, test the ground
for contamination.
Article Copyrighted by G. Warren Inc. 2004
HOME INSPECTOR NJ
-
BERGEN COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES
THE G WARREN INC NJ HOME INSPECTION DIRECTORY, SERVING THESE
NEW JERSEY CITIES: IN LOWER
BERGEN COUNTY NEW JERSEY
ALPINE NJ 07620. HOME
INSPECTION FOR
BERGENFIELD NJ 07621 AREA WE
HAVE HOME INSPECTORS FOR
BOGOTA NJ 07603 AREA
LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR
CARLSTADT NJ 07072 AREA - G
WARREN HAS LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR
CLIFFSIDE PARK NJ 07010 AREA
- WE DO HOME INSPECTION FOR
CRESSKILL NJ 07626 HOMES - WE
HAVE INSPECTED MANY
DEMAREST NJ 07627 HOUSES -
OUR HOME INSPECTION SERVICE AREA DOES INCLUDE
DUMONT NJ 07628 AREA - WE DO
COMPLETE HOME INSPECTION IN
EAST RUTHERFORD NJ 07073 - WE
ABSOLUTELY HAVE LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR
EDGEWATER NJ 07020 HOMES
FIRST CLASS HOME INSPECTOR FOR
ELMWOOD PARK NJ 07407 HOMES -
WE INSPECT HOMES IN THE ENTIRE
ENGLEWOOD NJ 07631 AREA G
WARREN HAS A LICENSED INSPECTOR FOR
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS NJ 07632
AREA - WE HAVE A CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE
FAIRLAWN NJ 07410 AREA - WE
SERVICE THE
FORT LEE NJ 07024 AREA - WE
SERVICE THE COMPLETE
GARFIELD NJ 07026 AREA - WE
ALWAYS SERVICE THE
GLEN ROCK NJ 07452 AREA - WE
HAVE EXPERIENCED INSPECTOR FOR
HACKENSACK NJ 08035 AREA
HOME INSPECTION FOR
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS NJ 07604
AREA - WE DO INSPECT IN THE
HAWORTH NJ 07506 AREA - WE
ALSO SERVICE
LEONIA NJ 07605 AREA G
WARREN SERVICES
LITTLE FERRY NJ 07643 AREA -
WE HAVE CERTIFIED INSPECTORS FOR
LODI NJ 07644 AREA - WE HAVE
EXPERIENCED INSPECTOR FOR
LYNDHURST NJ 07071 AREA - WE
SERVICE
MAYWOOD NJ 07607 AREA WE
HAVE SERVICED MANY TIMES IN THE
MOONACHIE NJ 07074 AREA - WE
SERVICE
NEW MELFORD NJ 07646 AREA
STATE LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR
NORTH ARLINGTON NJ 07031 AREA
G WARREN SERVICES
ORADELL NJ 07649 AREA - WE
SERVICE
PALLISADES PARK NJ 07650 AREA
NJ LICENSED HOME INSPECTION
PARAMUS NJ 07652 AREA HAVE
CERTIFIED INSPECTOR FOR
RIDGEFIELD NJ 07657 AREA - WE
SERVICE
RIDGEFIELD PARK NJ 07660 AREA
NJ STATE CERTIFIED INSPECTION
RIVER EDGE NJ 07661 AREA - WE
CERTAINLY INSPECT IN
ROCHELLE PARK NJ 07662 AREA -
WE HAVE COMPLETED MANY INSPECTIONS IN THE
RUTHERFORD NJ 07070 AREA - WE
SERVICE
SOUTH HACKENSACK NJ 07606
AREA HOME INSPECTOR
TEANECK NJ 07666 AREA NJ
INSURED HOME INSPECTOR FOR
TENAFLY NJ 07670 AREA NJ
CERTIFIED HOUSE INSPECTIONS IN
TETERBORO NJ 07608 AREA - WE
SERVICE
WALLINGTON NJ 07057 AREA
YES, WE SERVICE
WOOD RIDGE NJ 07075 AREA
EVERY HOME INSPECTION WILL BE CONDUCTED BY A CERTIFIED NJ HOME
INSPECTOR TO THE
NACHI HOME INSPECTION
STANDARDS..
HOME INSPECTOR NJ -
ESSEX COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES
IN ESSEX COUNTY NEW
JERSEY WE DO SERVICE
THE
BELLEVILLE NJ 07109 AREA
HOME INSPECTION
BLOOMFIELD NJ 07003 AREA WE
DO SERVICE THE
CALDWELL NJ 07006 AREA WE
ARE THOROUGHLY FAMILIER WITH THE
CEDAR GROVE NJ 07009 AREA
WE DO SERVICE THE
ESSEX FELLS NJ 07021 AREA -
WE DO HOME INSPECTIONS IN
FAIRFIELD NJ 07004 AREA G
WARREN DOES SERVICE THE
GLEN RIDGE NJ 07028 AREA - WE
HAVE A FIRST CLASS INSPECTOR FOR
IRVINGTON NJ 07111 AREA WE
HAVE A LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE
LIVINGSTON NJ 07039 AREA OUR NJ SERVICE TERRITORY
INCLUDES THE
MAPLEWOOD NJ 07040 AREA - WE
ABSOLUTELY INSPECT IN THE
MILLBURN NJ 07041 AREA - NEW
JERSEY HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE
MONTCLAIR NJ 07042 AREA N J
HOUSE INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED IN THE
NORTH CALDWELL NJ 07006 AREA
G WARREN CERTIFIED LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR
NUTLEY NJ 07110 AREA G
WARREN INC DOES SERVICE THE
ORANGE NJ 07050 AREA WE
HAVE A NJ INSURED CERTIFIED INSPECTOR FOR THE
ROSELAND NJ 07068 AREA WE
HAVE CONDUCTED A MULTITUDE OF INSPECTIONS IN THE
SOUTH ORANGE NJ 07079 AREA
WE HAVE STATE CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTORS FOR THE
VERONA NJ 07044 AREA STATE
LICENSED INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED IN THE
WEST CALDWELL NJ 07006 AREA -
WE DO SERVICE THE
WEST ORANGE NJ 07052 AREA -
NJ HOME INSPECTOR FOR
ESSEX COUNTY
HOME
INSPECTOR NJ -
HUDSON COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES
HUDSON
COUNTY NEW JERSEY NJ OUR SERVICE TERRITORY
INCLUDES
BAYONNE NJ 07002 AREA - WE
ABSOLUTELY INSPECT IN
GUTTENBERG NJ 07093 AREA
N J HOME INSPECTOR FOR
HARRISON NJ 07029 AREA -
INSPECTIONS IN
JERSEY CITY NJ 07306 07310
AREA WILL BE CONDUCTED BY A LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR - WE DO
INSPECTIONS IN
KEARNY NJ 07032 AREA - WE
HAVE A LICENSED INSPECTOR FOR THE
NORTH BERGEN NJ 07047 AREA
G WARREN INC WILL INSPECT IN
SECAUCUS NJ 07094 AREA - NEW
AND RESALE CONDO AND TOWNHOUSE INSPECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED
BY AN EXPERIENCED NEW JERSEY HOME INSPECTOR WE SERVICE
HUDSON COUNTY WITH
EXPERIENCED INSPECTORS
NEW JERSEY HOME INSPECTOR
-
HUNTERDON COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES
IN HUNTERDON
COUNTY NEW JERSEY NJ -
WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE THE
ALEXANDRIA NJ 08848 AREA G
WARREN HAS CONDUCTED MANY INSPECTIONS IN THE
BETHLEHEM NJ 08802 AREA AND THE SURROUNDING TOWNS -
WE ABSOLUTELY INSPECT TOWNHOUSE STYLE HOMES IN
BLOOMSBURY NJ 08804 AREA WE
HAVE A LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE
CALIFON NJ 07830 AREA AND
SURROUNDING TOWNS OUR LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR HAS CONDUCTED
MANY HOME INSPECTION IN
CLINTON NJ 08809 AND THE
SURROUNDING TOWNS - WE CERTAINLY INSPECT IN THE
CLINTON TWP NJ 08801 AND
NEARBY TOWNS - WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE THE
FLEMINGTON NJ 08822 AREA WITH
A LICENSED EXPERIENCED INSPECTOR G WARREN HAS AFFORDABLE
PRICES FOR A HOME AND GARAGE INSPECTION IN THE
FRANKLIN TWP NJ 08868 AREA - WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE
THE
FRENCHTOWN NJ 08825 AREA AND
THE SURROUNDING TOWNS G WARREN HOME INSPECTION GIVES FREE
PRICE QUOTES IN THE
GLEN GARDNER NJ 08826 AREA -
WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE THE
HAMPTON NJ 08827 AREA AND THE SURROUNDING TOWNS
CALL G WARREN FOR A FREE PRICE QUOTE IN THE
HIGH BRIDGE NJ 08829 AREA G WARREN HOME
INSPECTION HAS EXPERIENCED INSPECTORS FOR THE
HOLLAND NJ 08848 AREA - WE
ABSOLUTELY SERVICE THE
KINGWOOD NJ 08559 AREA WE
HAVE COMPLETED MANY A HOME INSPECTION IN THE
LAMBERTVILLE NJ 08530 AREA
YES, WE HAVE AFFORDABLE PRICES FOR AN INSPECTION IN THE
LEBANON BORO NJ 08833 AREA - WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE
THE
LEBANON TWP NJ 08826 AREA -
WE ABSOLUTELY GIVE FREE PRICE QUOTES IN THE
MILFORD NJ 08848 AREA - WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE THE
RARITAN TWP NJ 08822 AREAS
AND THE SURROUNDING TOWNS - WE HAVE SERVICED THE
READINGTON 08801 - 08870 - 08889 AREAS FOR OVER 15
YEARS - WE CONDUCT COMPLETE INSPECTIONS IN THE
STOCKTON NJ 08559
AREA AND NEARBY TOWNS - WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE THE
TEWKSBURY NJ 08858 AREA - G WARREN HAS CONDUCTED
NUMEROUS HOME INSPECTIONS IN THE
UNION TWP NJ 08860 AREA WE INSPECT HOMES AT A
REASONABLE PRICE IN THE
WEST AMWELL NJ 08530 AREA ALL G WARREN HOME
INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED TO THE STANDARDS OF THE STATE OF
NJ HOME INSPECTION LICENSING BOARD
AND THE STANDARDS OF THE
NACHI HOME INSPECTION
ASSOCIATION.
HOME INSPECTOR NEW JERSEY
-
MIDDLESEX COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES
IN MIDDLESEX
COUNTY NEW JERSEY NJ - WE INSPECT IN
AVENEL NJ AREA 07001 G WARREN INC SERVICES THE BONHAMTOWN NJ 08837 AREA LICENSED INSPECTOR FOR THE CARTERET NJ
07008 AREA FIRST CLASS INSPECTORS FOR THE CLIFFWOOD NJ 07721 AREA - WE HAVE STATE LICENSED INSPECTORS FOR THE COLONIA NJ 07067 AREA OUR HOME INSPECTION AREA INCLUDES THE CRANBURY NJ 08512 AREA - WE HAVE CONDUCTED NUMEROUS INSPECTIONS IN THE DAYTON NJ 08810 AREA - WE HAVE A STATE CERTIFIED
INSPECTOR FOR THE DUNELLEN NJ 08812 AREA CALL FOR AN AFFORDABLE HOME
INSPECTION PRICE IN THE EAST BRUNSWICK NJ 08816 AREA G WARREN
INC HAS EXPERIENCED HOME INSPECTORS FOR THE EDISON NJ
08817 08837 08820 AREA - WE ABSOLUTELY INSPECT IN THE ENGLISHTOWN
NJ 07726 AREA - WE HAVE COMPLETED MANY AN INSPECTION IN THE FORDS NJ 08863 AREA YES, WE HAVE AFFORDABLE PRICES FOR A HOME INSPECTION IN THE HELMETTA NJ 08828 AREA - WE ABSOLUTELY GIVE FREE PRICE QUOTES FOR A
INSPECTION IN HIGHLAND PARK NJ 08904 AREA - WE CONDUCT COMPLETE HOME
INSPECTIONS IN HIGHTSTOWN NJ 08520 AREA - WE INSPECT ALL STYLE
HOMES IN ISELIN NJ 08830 AREA G WARREN HOME
INSPECTION HAS CONDUCTED NUMEROUS HOME INSPECTIONS IN JAMESBURG NJ 08831
AREA G WARREN INC HAS A FIRST CLASS HOME INSPECTOR FOR
KEASBEY NJ 08832 AREA - WE INSPECT ALL THE DIFFERENT STYLE HOMES IN THE KENDALL PARK NJ 08824 AREA - WE DO INSPECT IN THE
KINGSTON NJ 08828 AREA OUR LICENSED NEW
JERSEY INSPECTOR CONDUCT INSPECTIONS IN LAWRENCE HARBOR 08879 AREA - WE HAVE INSPECTED MANY COLONIAL STYLE HOMES IN THE MATAWAN NJ
07747 AREA - WE DO HOME AND GROUNDS INSPECTION IN THE MENLO PARK NJ 08837 AREA - WE DO COMPLETE HOME INSPECTIONS IN THE METUCHEN NJ 08840 AREA - WE INSPECT ALL TYPES OF HOUSES IN THE MIDDLESEX NJ 08846 AREA - WE CERTAINLY GIVE FREE QUOTES FOR A INSPECTIONS
IN THE MILLTOWN NJ 08850 AREA - WE HAVE A NEW JERSEY LICENSED
INSPECTOR FOR THE MONMOUTH JUNCTION NJ 08852
AREA G WARREN INC DOES INSPECT AND EVALUATE HOMES IN THE MONROE NJ
08831 AREA - WE HAVE A LICENSED EXPERIENCED HOME INSPECTOR FOR NEW BRUNSWICK NJ 08901 AREA - WE HAVE INSPECTED IN NORTH BRUNSWICK NJ 08902 AREA FOR MANY YEARS - WE CONDUCT INSPECTIONS 7 DAY A WEEK IN OLD BRIDGE NJ 08857 AREA G WARREN INC IS EXPERIENCED WITH HOME INSPECTIONS IN
THE PARLIN NJ 08859 AREA G WARREN INC HAS
INSPECTED IN THE PERTH AMBOY NJ 08861 AREA FOR MANY YEARS - WE
INSPECT MANY A TOWNHOUSE IN PISCATAWAY NJ 08854 AREA WE INSPECT
IN PISCATAWAYTOWN
NJ 08817 AREA - WE DO CONDUCT INSPECTIONS IN THE
PLAINSBORO NJ 08536 AREA - WE HAVE ALWAYS INSPECTED IN THE PORT READING NJ 07064 AREA WE HAVE BEEN INSPECTING HOUSES IN SAYREVILLE NJ 08871 08872 FOR OVER 15 YEARS - WE HAVE INSPECTED MANY TWO FAMILY HOMES IN THE SEWAREN NJ 07077 AREA - WE CERTAINLY
INSPECT IN SOUTH AMBOY NJ 08878 AND THE
SURROUNDING AREAS - WE CONDUCT INSPECTIONS ON ALL TYPE OF HOMES IN THE SOUTH BRUNSWICK NJ 08852 AREA G WARREN HAS A FIRST CLASS HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE SOUTH PLAINFIELD NJ 07080 AREA - WE INSPECT IN SOUTH RIVER NJ 08882 AREA - WE HAVE A NEW JERSEY LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR
FOR THE SPOTSWOOD NJ 08884 AREA G WARREN HOME INSPECTION HAS
LICENSED, CERTIFIED, EXPERIENCED HOME INSPECTORS FOR THE WOODBRIDGE NJ
07095 AREA ALL G WARREN INC HOME INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED TO THE STANDARDS OF THE
NEW JERSEY LICENSING BOARD AND THE NACHI
HOME INSPECTOR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS.
NJ HOME INSPECTOR
-
MERCER COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES
IN MERCER COUNTY
NEW JERSEY NJ - FREE PRICE QUOTES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES - WE HAVE COMPLETED HOME INSPECTIONS IN THE
EAST WINDSOR NJ 08520 AREA FOR OVER 15 YEARS WE HAVE CONDUCTED
INSPECTIONS IN THE TWIN RIVERS NJ 08520 AREA WE
HAVE A STATE LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE EWING NJ 08618
AREA WE HAVE INSPECTED ALL TYPES OF HOUSES IN THE HAMILTON NJ 08619
AREA WE HAVE A TOP INSPECTOR FOR THE MERCERVILLE - HAMILTON SQUARE NJ 08690 AREA WE DO INSPECT IN THE
WHITE HORSE NJ 08610 AREA WITH A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL INSPECTOR OUR INSPECTORS WILL SERVICE THE YARDVILLE GROVEVILLE NJ 08620 AREAS
AND SURROUNDING TOWNS - WE DO SERVICE THE MILTON NJ AREA AND SURROUNDING TOWNS OUR COMPANY HAS A LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE HIGHTSTOWN NJ 08520 AREA - WE HAVE A FIRST CLASS EXPERIENCED INSPECTOR FOR THE HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP NJ 08525 AREA - WE CONDUCT
STATE LICENSED HOME INSPECTIONS IN THE HOPEWELL BORO NJ 08525
AREA AND SURROUNDING TOWNS WE INSPECT ALL TYPES OF HOUSES IN THE LAWRENCE NJ
08648 AREA AND THE SURROUNDING TOWNS OUR SERVICE AREA DOES INCLUDE THE PENNINGTON NJ 08534 AREA AND SURROUNDING TOWNS - WE HAVE A PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE PRINCETON NJ 08542 08540 AREA - WE DO HAVE A NEW JERSEY HOME INSPECTOR FOR
ROBBINSVILLE NJ 08609 AREA - WE HAVE COMPLETE MANY HOME
INSPECTIONS IN THE WEST WINDSOR NJ 08550 AREA AND THE
SURROUNDING TOWNS. ALL G WARREN HOME INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED TO THE STANDARDS OF THE STATE OF NJ HOME INSPECTION LICENSING BOARD AND THE STANDARDS OF THE NACHI HOME INSPECTION ASSOCIATION.
HOME INSPECTOR NJ
-
MONMOUTH COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES
IN
MONMOUTH COUNTY NEW JERSEY NJ LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR ABERDEEN NJ 07747 AREA - G WARREN INC INSPECTS
IN ALLENHURST NJ 07711 AREA WE HAVE CERTIFIED AND LICENSED
PEOPLE FOR THE
ALLENTOWN NJ 08501 AREA OUR SERVICE AREA INCLUDES
ASBURY PARK NJ 07712 AREA WE GIVE FIRST
CLASS HOUSE
CONDITION EVALUATIONS FOR THE
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
NJ 07716 AREA STATE LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE AVON-BY-THE-SEA NJ 07717 AREA WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE THE
BELMAR NJ 07719 AREA WE DO HOME ANALYSIS FOR CONDITION IN THE BRADLEY BEACH NJ 07720 WE HAVE COMPLETED MANY
HOUSE
CONDITION ANALYSIS IN BRIELLE NJ 08730 AREA WE HAVE
NEW JERSEY
LICENSED PEOPLE IN THE COLTS NECK NJ 07720
AREA WE HAVE PERFORMED MANY A HOUSE CONDITION ANALYSIS IN
THE DEAL NJ 07723 AREA WE HAVE EXPERIENCED HOME INSPECTORS FOR THE EATONTOWN NJ 07724 AREA G WARREN INC HAS A STATE LICENSED HOME
INSPECTOR FOR
THE FAIR HAVEN NJ 07704 AREA WE ABSOLUTELY SERVICE THE FARMINGDALE NJ 07727 AREA - G WARREN HAS TOP QUALIFIED PEOPLE FOR THE FREEHOLD BORO NJ 07728 AREA WE HAVE LICENSED CERTIFIED AND INSURED
PEOPLE FOR THE FREEHOLD TWP NJ 07728 AREA G WARREN INC HAS CONDUCTED HOME CONDITION EVALUATIONS IN THE HIGHLANDS NJ 07748 AREA - G WARREN DOES CONDUCT HOUSE CONDITION
ANALYSIS IN THE HOLMDEL NJ 07733
AREA NEW
JERSEY LICENSED HOME INSPECTION AVAILABLE FOR THE HOWELL NJ
07731 AREA - G WARREN INSPECTS IN INTERLAKEN NJ 07712
AREA WE HAVE EXPERIENCED HOME CONDITION ANALYSIS PEOPLE FOR THE KEANSBURG NJ 07734 AREA - G WARREN DOES
COMPLETE HOME
CONDITION EVALUATIONS IN THE KEYPORT NJ 07735 AREA WE CONDUCT NJ LICENSED AND INSURED HOUSE CONDITION EVALUATIONS IN
LITTLE SILVER NJ 07739 AREA - G WARREN HAS CONDUCTED HOUSE CONDITION
EVALUATIONS IN THE LOCH ARBOUR VILLAGE NJ 07712
AREA G
WARREN INC HAS TOP QUALIFIED LICENSED PEOPLE FOR RESIDENTIAL HOUSE CONDITION INSPECTION IN THE
LONG BRANCH NJ 07740 AREA WE HAVE CONDUCTED STATE LICENSED HOME INSPECTIONS IN THE
MANASQUAN NJ 08736 AREA
G WARREN HAS
A NEW JERSEY LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE MARLBORO NJ 07746
AREA - FOR 15 YEARS - G WARREN SERVICED THE MATAWAN NJ 07747 AREA - G WARREN HAS QUALITY
PEOPLE TO
SERVICE THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN
NJ 07748 AREA G WARREN INC FOR YEARS HAS INSPECTED IN THE
MILLSTONE NJ 07726
AREA - G WARREN HAS A HOME INSPECTOR IN THE
MONMOUTH BEACH NJ
07750 AREA YES, WE HAVE A QUALITY HOME CONDITION INSPECTOR FOR THE
NEPTUNE CITY NJ 07753 AREA - G WARREN INC HAS CONDUCTED MANY HOME ANALYSIS AND GIVEN A COMPLETE REPORT TO CLIENTS IN
THE NEPTUNE TWP NJ 07753
AREA WE HAVE A TOP INSPECTOR IN THE OCEAN NJ 07755
AREA WE HAVE TOP QUALITY PEOPLE THE OCEANPORT NJ
07757 AREA WE WILL ABSOLUTELY CONDUCT A COMPLETE HOME INSPECTION RED BANK NJ 07701 AREA - G WARREN SERVICES THE COMPLETE ROOSEVELT NJ 08555 AREA WE HAVE A STATE
LICENSED
EXPERIENCED INSPECTOR FOR THE RUMSON NJ 07760 AREA - G
WARREN
SERVICES THE COMPLETE SEA BRIGHT
NJ 07760
AREA OUR INSPECTION AREA INCLUDES THE SEA GIRT NJ 08750 AREA WE CONDUCT LICENSED NJ HOUSE CONDITION EVALUATIONS IN THE SHEWSBURY BORO NJ 07702 AREA - G WARREN SERVICES THE COMPLETE SHREWSBURY TWP NJ 07702
AREA WE HAVE A FIRST CLASS INSPECTOR FOR THE SOUTH BELMAR NJ 07719 AREA - G WARREN ABSOLUTELY CONDUCTS
SERVICE IN
THE SPRING LAKE NJ 07762 AREA WE HAVE CONDUCTED
INSPECTIONS
IN SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS NJ 07762
AREA WE HAVE LICENSED EXPERIENCED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE
TINTON FALLS NJ 07724 AREA WE HAVE A CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE UNION BEACH NJ 07735 AREA WE ABSOLUTELY INSPECT IN THE UPPER FREEHOLD TWP NJ 08514 AREA WE HAVE COMPLETED
MANY HOME
INSPECTIONS IN WALL TWP NJ 07719
AREA - G
WARREN LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR FOR WEST LONG BRANCH NJ 07764
AREA ALL INSPECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED TO THE NEW JERSEY HOME INSPECTORS LICENSED BOARD STANDARDS AND THE STANDARDS OF THE NACHI HOME INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION
CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTOR -
MORRIS COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES
IN MORRIS COUNTY
NEW JERSEY NJ - WE INSPECT IN
BOONTON TOWN NJ 07005 AREA G
WARREN SERVICES THE
BOONTON TWP NJ 07005 AREA AND
THE SURROUNDING TOWNS LICENSED INSPECTOR FOR THE
BUTLER NJ 07405 AREA AND NEARBY TOWNS FIRST CLASS
INSPECTOR ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN THE CHATHAM
BORO NJ 07928 AREA WE HAVE STATE LICENSED
INSPECTORS FOR THE
CHATHAM TWP NJ 07928 AREA AND
ADJACENT TOWNS OUR HOME INSPECTION AREA INCLUDE THE
CHESTER BORO NJ 07930 AREA WE HAVE CONDUCTED MANY
HOME INSPECTIONS IN THE
CHESTER TWP NJ 07930 AREA - WE ABSOLUTELY INSPECT IN
DENVILLE NJ 07834 AREA WE
HAVE A STATE CERTIFIED INSPECTOR FOR THE
DOVER NJ 07801 AREA CALL G
WARREN FOR AN AFFORDABLE HOME INSPECTION PRICE IN THE
EAST HANOVER NJ 07936 AREA G
WARREN HAS EXPERIENCED HOME INSPECTORS FOR THE
FLORHAM PARK NJ 07932 AREA WE HAVE A FIRST CLASS
EXPERIENCED HOME INSPECTOR FOR THE
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|
Straight Talk About
Abandoned
In-ground Oil Tanks |
Article by G. Warren
G. Warren Inc. NJ Home Inspection
(908) 757-3400
S. Plainfield , N.J.
|
ONE
OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY A NEW HOME BUYER IS,
HOW DO I KNOW IF THERE IS AN ABANDONED OIL TANK ON THE
PREMISES?
As an experienced home inspector, a licensed real estate
appraiser and a real estate investor, I give the following
advice:
(A) To really be sure there isnt an in-ground oil tank, one
must hire a professional with a special metal detector to search
the property. This search costs about $250.00. But before
spending any money on such a search, I suggest that the buyer
first have a complete home and termite inspection. If the house
is not acceptable and the purchase is terminated, the buyer
could save the $250.00 tank search.
(B) Before starting the home inspection, ask the inspector to
examine the grounds close to the house for any signs of an
in-ground tank. Even though an in-ground tank is outside the
scope of the home inspection, if the inspector sees signs of an
in-ground tank, a courtesy report can be entered into the report
and save the buyer the $250.00 search fee. Many times there are
tell-tale signs of an in-ground oil tank such as a visible vent
and/or filler pipes sticking up through the ground from the
tank. Also, in the basement there may be disconnected oil lines
coming through the foundation wall which were the feed lines
from a one time in-ground oil tank. Another sign is a concrete
channel that had been cut into the basement floor that leads to
the furnace area. All oil lines running to a furnace must be
covered by concrete for safety reasons. Most times when the
lines are removed and the channel filled, a different colored
fill concrete is a sure sign of a one time oil tank. Any of
these signs is a good indication of a tank that has been removed
or, there is still a tank in the ground. An almost sure sign
that there is a tank is when a filler pipe is found in ground.
WE FOUND AN IN-GROUND TANK, NOW WHAT?
RULE ONE, under no condition purchase the house, no matter how
good the deal is until the tank and ground are tested for any
environmental contamination. The tank could have been abandoned
many years ago with a couple hundred gallons of oil still in the
tank. That oil may have leaked out over the years and
contaminated the ground. A serious environmental condition is
something you dont need to inherit with the purchase. If an
in-ground tank is discovered, notify your attorney immediately
about the tank and have him ask the seller to provide the E. P.
A. certification that the tank has been properly decommissioned.
WHAT IF THE SELLER SAYS THAT HE BOUGHT
THE HOUSE AS IS, HE
DIDNT KNOW THERE WAS IN-GROUND TANK AND HES NOT PAYING FOR ANY
TANK TESTING.
Well, because he bought the house as is doesnt make the
problem acceptable. Now the buyer has a decision to make, either
walk away and look for another house or pay for the tank and
ground test. If I really wanted the house, I personally would
pay for the tank and ground test. However, under no
circumstances would I purchase a property with an untested oil
tank. At this point I must give the reader another tip. If you
have to pay for the tank and ground test, make sure you hire a
reputable company to do the testing. A word of caution, the job
is too important to hire a company based on price alone. Make
sure the testing company has all the latest high-tech testing
equipment.
THE SELLER SAYS HE DID HAVE AN
IN-GROUND TANK BUT HAD IT REMOVED OR FILLED WITH SAND.
Your attorney should ask the seller for the township for
certification that the tank was environmentally properly filled
with sand or removed. One cannot just remove a tank or fill it
with sand without the proper documentation from the NJDEP. These
papers will be filed with the township.
WHAT IF THE SELLER SAYS THE TANK WAS
REMOVED YEARS AGO BEFORE THE NJDEP DOCUMENTATION WAS REQUIRED.
(A) Ask where the tank was located. If you can find the old
location, I suggest taking a ground contamination test in the
area. Some would say at this point, Arent you going a little
too far with this testing thing? With the tank gone you are
probably safe to say that no further action is necessary but if
you ever had any dealings with MURPHYS LAW, you wont hesitate
to test the ground for contamination. (MURPHYS LAW BEING - IF
IT CAN HAPPEN IT WILL HAPPEN) By testing the ground you will
know for sure if there is a contamination problem.
A TRUE STORY
I was inspecting a small house that seemed like a nice clean
little house. When I got to the basement area, I detected a
faint odor of oil, the type of oil used as fuel. The basement
also had a small crawl space area with a dirt floor where a fuel
storage tank was located. I crawled into the space to examine
the tank and found a very slow leak. The leak was so small that
one could not even see a drop forming on the tank. There wasnt
any big oil spot under the tank, just a little spot about 4
inches in diameter. Knowing the danger of oil contamination, I
strongly urged the buyer not to purchase the house until the
ground under the oil tank, in a tight crawl space, was tested
for contamination.
About a month later I received a call from the same buyer
requesting another home inspection on a different house. When I
asked her why she was not buying the first house, she said
forget it. The house cant be sold. She said that the buyer had
the ground tested for contamination and it had serious oil
contamination. She went on to tell me that the little leak has
caused $65,000.00 worth of contamination. The EPA was now
involved in the clean up and the house cannot be sold.
THE SELLER SAYS HE HAS INSURANCE ON THE
TANK THAT CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW BUYER.
MAKE SURE the insurance policy covers ground contamination. Many
insurance policies only cover the tank for a leak. Have your
attorney go over the insurance policy thoroughly. I would also
suggest that you call the insurance company and have them verify
that ground contamination is covered. I have yet to know of an
insurance company that is in business to pay claims.
TO SUM UP WHEN YOU ARE BUYING A HOUSE
WITH AN IN-GROUND OIL TANK BE CAUTIOUS.
(A) If there is a functioning in-ground tank, test the tank for
leaks and the ground for contamination.
(B) If there is an abandoned in-ground tank, test the ground for
contamination.
Article Copyrighted by G. Warren Inc. 2004 |
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