Look Out for These Problems on Your New Property

If you just purchased a house with extensive property, you probably have lots of plans for future renovations and parties. Before you move in, though, make sure to check for these issues so that you can enjoy your backyard worry-free.

Old Oil Tanks

Use a metal detector to look for abandoned oil tanks in your property, or ask a land surveyor to check for them. If the previous owners followed the correct procedures for oil tank abandonment Westchester County NY, the tank should be free of oil and pose no risk to your property. Some people do not bother to properly decontaminate their tanks, though, so you should ask a professional to inspect the tank and perform any necessary cleaning.

Buried Fuel Lines

If the previous owners buried fuel lines or if your city currently has municipal pipes running through your yard, you need to know about them before you start digging for a garden or expansion. Your land surveyor can look for these lines and verify whether they’re currently in use. If your city uses your property for residential fuel lines, reach out to your local officials to see what the rules are for building near them.

Broken Glass

Broken glass is hard to spot in the grass until you step on it, especially if it’s brown, so checking for glass is one of the best ways to avoid trips to the emergency room. Look particularly carefully in areas where the previous owners ate or stored their garbage. Also, keep an eye out when it rains; sometimes, buried glass resurfaces during strong storms.

Ground Bees

If you live in an area with sandy soil, you may have an infestation of ground bees during the early summer. As their name suggests, ground bees burrow into the ground instead of building hives. Like yellow jackets, these bees can sting, but they only do so if they’re threatened. It’s hard to spot an infestation unless you’re inspecting your property while they’re nesting. If you find them as you move in and you’re allergic, mix vinegar and water together and spray them around the nesting area. This mixture does not kill them; it just discourages your ground bees from nesting in your yard.

Purchasing a house with a big backyard is exciting, especially if you’ve been living in an apartment. Make sure to check for these issues before your first party to keep everyone safe.