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Home, Condo, and Co-op
Interior Inspections

Pre-Purchase Home, Building, Condo, and Co-op Inspections in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Putnam, and Westchester

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Many homes, buildings, condo units, and co-op units have had changes made to the interior. While inside the home, building, condo, or co-op, the Engineer evaluates the structural system, the heating system, the air-conditioning system, the electrical system, the plumbing system, the windows, the appliances, etc. Ways you can help protect the environment are reported. Concerns such as evidence of water in the basement, roof leakage, and wood-destroying insect evidence are examined. The engineering reports include an expense analysis where appropriate.

Many homes, buildings, condos, and co-ops have had changes made to the interior. A change could be as simple as a dishwasher installation or as complex as major renovations. The change may not have been done correctly. Our Engineers looks for indications of problems that exist in the interior of the structure. You are also advised of potential Certificate of Occupancy issues.

The home, building, condo, or co-op inspection includes examining the fireplace. Unfortunately, using a fireplace in a new or renovated home or building can be hazardous.

Fireplace Hazards

Windows and Doors

The windows and doors are important functional components of a house or building. Most windows and doors are functional in that they can be opened and closed, although sometimes this requires considerable effort.

In some home inspections, building, condo, and co-op, especially older buildings, poor operation of windows and doors is due to normal settlement or normal wear and tear. Sometimes, improper window or doors operation is due to structural defects in the building.

The Licensed Engineer analyzes the window and door operation to determine if there are structural defects. For any problems found, the expense analysis in the inspection report helps you plan for future expenses.

Windows

Window replacement is an expense many buyers choose to undertake. The Licensed Engineer Inspector's evaluation of windows determines whether they function properly. This includes checking for evidence of excessive wind or water leakage, damage, etc. Even if the Engineer finds that the windows function, you may choose to replace them for personal reasons.

Windows are also checked for other concerns such as the need for caulking, draftiness, ease of operation, and leakage. Many older windows are drafty, leak when it rains, and are difficult to operate. Even newer windows may have problems.

Old windows are not as energy efficient as modern windows. Buildings constructed during the 1960s may have leaky aluminum windows, while older houses have leaky double-hung wooded windows. Buildings constructed before World War II may have leaky metal casement windows.

Even with storm windows in place, the old windows are not as energy-efficient as modern windows. Today, windows are typically double-glazed to help reduce heating and cooling costs. New windows are better insulated and require less maintenance than older windows.

Doors

Just like with the operation of the windows, door operation can be a clue to structural problems in a building. A door that binds may just be swollen due to moisture, or the binding may indicate an underlying structural defect. A doorframe that is not level may be the result of normal settlement or may indicate a structural defect. A gap around a door may be present due to an underlying structural defects.

Older doors are not as energy efficient as modern doors. Even with storm doors in place, the old doors are not as energy-efficient as modern doors. Often, old doors have significant air leakage.

Today, doors typically contain insulation to help reduce heating and cooling costs. Doors also require less maintenance than older doors.

Home Appliances

Heimer Engineering's Professional Engineers check appliances for general condition, correct installation, and function Heimer Engineering's Licensed Engineers check appliances for general condition, correct installation, and function. You are also advised of possible problems repairing old appliances.

Most homes, condo, and co-op have a wide variety of appliances including a range, refrigerator, microwave oven, conventional oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, clothes dryer, and other appliances. Since it is not possible to run every appliance through every cycle during a pre-purchase inspection, our Engineers are trained to look for indicators of problems. You are provided with an expense analysis of needed repairs in the inspection report.

Most homeowners depend on their appliances every day, so most appliances are at least partially functional. Homeowners depend on their appliances every day, so most appliances are at least partially functional. The appliance hookup may be incorrect or even hazardous.

The Engineers often find houses that have had an electric self-cleaning oven, an electric dryer, or a room air-conditioner installed after the house was constructed. The original electrical service may have been sufficient when the house was built. The added loads have created a hazardous condition. An incorrect appliance gas hookup can be extremely hazardous.

Fireplace and Wood
Stove Hazards

Many people like fireplaces, and look for a house that has a working wood-burning fireplace. Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and coal-burning stoves can create hazards in a home:

Fireplaces and stoves often have hot surfaces exposed. This means an increased risk of fire, and an increased risk of burns. Small children, elderly people, and pets are especially at risk for injury.
Energy-efficient windows and other steps to make homes use less energy result in less ventilation. This can result in toxic gas buildup, which can cause serious injury or death.
Wood and coal may give off carcinogenic substances when they burn.
Carbon-monoxide gasses, which can cause injury or death, may build up inside the home from burning wood or coal.

Carbon Monoxide

In addition, there are other issues created by the use of a fireplace in a home:

Soot give off by burning wood and coal can dirty the interior of your home.
Dust is often carried in with the wood and coal, which dirties the interior.
Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and coal-burning stoves can pollute the atmosphere.
Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and coal-burning stoves may increase energy usage. This is because cold air from the outside is drawn in when the wood or coal burns.
Wood and coal often come in heavy packages. There have been reports of back injuries from carrying wood and coal into a home.

For these reasons, it is recommended that you not burn wood or coal in your home. Note that gas-burning fireplaces have some, but not all, of these issues. If you would like a fireplace, consider a propane or natural gas-burning fireplace.

Inspection Info

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System Electrical
System Plumbing
System Hot Water
System Roofing
System Leaders &
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Trim Basement
Water Rotted
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Contact Heimer Engineering℠

Call for a Home Inspection Heimer Engineering New York pre-purchase home, building, condo, and co‑op inspections Heimer Engineering℠ is happy to help you. Senior Staff members are available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. After 5 PM, please leave a message. Messages are checked during the day on Sunday, and Sunday evening through Thursday evening. Inspections are performed seven days a week.

Heimer Engineering's℠ inspection fees are competitive with non-Engineer's fees, especially when you consider that many non-Engineers charge extra for termite inspections, swimming pools, etc.

Inspection orders are taken by senior staff members. A real estate purchase is complex and you should be able to speak with someone who can answer your inspection questions.

To set up an appointment for a pre-purchase inspection or to find out about Engineering services or expert court testimony email Info@heimer.com, text 888.769.6910, or call 800.605.1500. If no staff member is in the office, leave a message.

Ask About a Web Discount

Heimer Engineering℠ serves the Metro New York area, including New York City (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island), Long Island (Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Upstate New York (Rockland County, Putnam County, and Westchester County).

Heimer Engineering℠ respects your privacy. Some home inspection firms share information with insurance, landscaping, home maintenance, moving, cable, mortgage, and other companies. You will not receive phone calls or solicitation emails from third parties as a result of providing us with personal information. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

In the event of a life-threatening emergency call 911. Emergency situations need to be handled by first-responders who can evacuate buildings, shut utilities off, and take other steps necessary to preserve life.

Standards of Practice
and Code of Ethics

Our Licensed Engineers substantially adhere to the InterNACHI® Code of Ethics, to Subpart 197-4 of the State of New York Code of Ethics and Regulations for Home Inspectors, the ASHI® Standards of Practice, and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE®) Code of Ethics. In the event of a conflict, the Licensed Engineer uses Engineering judgment to decide what standard or Engineering principle takes precedence. All State of New York Licensed Engineers are bound by New York State Education Law Article 145.

Discounts

United States Flag Ask about a web discount. Discounts are also available for referrals (attorney, real estate broker, mortgage broker, co-worker, friend) first time buyers, senior citizens, military (army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard), first responders (police, ambulance, fire), municipal employees, security personnel, and union members.

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More Info

Inspections are performed only after the client signs a Pre-Inspection Agreement. Use of this website is governed by our Terms of Use. This website is made available for informational purposes and does not represent a professional opinion of your situation.

Heimer Engineering℠ performs home inspections, building inspections, condo inspections, and co-op inspections in the State of New York. Expert witness services are provided regarding playground injuries, parking lot, walkway, and stairway slip, trip, and fall.

The Heimer Engineering℠ website was designed and is maintained by Harold Krongelb PE. The contents of this website were written by Harold Krongelb P.E. This website is not intended to offer Engineering opinions or advice. Sitemaps and indexing information can be found at Page Sitemap, Image Sitemap, Mobile Sitemap, and Video Sitemap.

Heimer Engineering PC
f/k/a Richard L Heimer PE PC
2171 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 230
Commack, New York, USA 11725-2947

New York Metro: 800.605.1500
New York Metro: 800.640.8090
New York Metro: 646.757.4500
Bronx, New York: 718.547.2000
Brooklyn, New York: 718.237.7777
Manhattan, New York: 212.563.4777
Long Island, New York: 516.487.2100
Long Island, New York: 631.549.2500
Nassau County, New York: 516.487.2100
Putnam County, New York: 845.638.4900
Queens, New York: 718.544.3000
Staten Island, New York: 718.227.5000
Suffolk County, New York: 631.858.5500
Suffolk County, New York: 631.288.3900
Suffolk County, New York: 631.549.2500
Westchester County, New York: 914.576.6100
Fax: 631.858.5599, 646.795.4571
Text: 888.769.6910
URL: www.heimer.com
Email: Info@heimer.com

Home, Condo, and Co-opInterior Inspections