Safe Harbor Inspections

05/22/2026

11/07/2025

Seller’s Inspection Benefit

Most people don’t realize how beneficial Seller’s Inspections (Pre-Marketing Inspections) can be.

We feel it’s beneficial for the seller to understand the following two options after a seller’s inspection:

First, the seller has the opportunity to disclose defects upfront and state that they are selling as-is. Buyers will have a hard time negotiating inspection items if they are told about the defect before making their offer. For example, if the buyer has been advised the roof needs replacement, they would have difficulty trying to negotiate the roof issue after their inspection.

Secondly, the seller can deal with certain defects before they cause a problem with the sale. For example, buyers get concerned about termites. So, if we find termites, we recommend a termite treatment; as a result, the termite issue goes away before the buyer gets involved. Similarly, other items may come up during a home inspection that may cause problems with the transaction unless they are dealt with before the house goes on the market.

Here’s a short YouTube video that explains the benefits. https://youtu.be/tNeDhhfvQVg

Based on the above, we feel that Seller’s Inspections provide substantial benefits that most people aren’t aware of. So, if you are a real estate agent or real estate attorney, would you want to advise your clients about Seller’s Inspections?

For more related information click on this link:
https://safeharborinspections.com/blog/

Safe Harbor Inspections Inc
Call or Text 24/7:
(631) 275 - 8080
(516) 764 - 4076
Email :[email protected]

11/02/2025

Is your water bill too high?

Like everything else, the cost of water has gone up over the last several years. I’m always surprised at how much water costs when I open the bill. Here’s some information about how you can save on water.

Consider replacing your dishwasher:

Dishwashers manufactured before 1994 use about 14 gallons per wash. In contrast, newer models use about 3 gallons per wash. Hand washing does not save money; depending on how you wash, you could use between 13 to 27 gallons per hand wash.

Consider replacing your toilet:

Toilets manufactured before 1982 Use 5 to 7 gallons per flush.
Toilets manufactured between 1982 and 1992 use 3.5 gallons per flush
Toilets manufactured Between 1993 and now use 1.1 to 1.6 gallons per flush

CONSIDER backing off your lawn watering schedule in the spring and fall.

Most experts recommend watering every other day in the spring and fall to encourage root growth while reducing water usage.
For more related information click on this link:

https://safeharborinspections.com/blog/

Safe Harbor Inspections Inc
Call or Text 24/7:
(631) 275 - 8080
(516) 764 - 4076
Email :[email protected]

10/27/2025

Ever wonder why things fall apart?

It seems that real estate is in a constant state of aging, and we all know what happens with aging! This is a picture of a bulkhead that was probably installed about 20 years ago. When it was new it looked great and now it doesn’t. Soil is eroding from the yard through the wall and into the water. It will need to be replaced soon.

There is a concept in physics called MAXIMUM ENTROPY. This means things go from organized (good condition) to disorganized (bad condition). For instance, if you drop an egg on the floor, it goes from organized in its shell to a disorganized mess on the floor. That’s nature, and it can’t be changed! It could be said that real estate is in a constant state of falling apart, unfortunately, that’s just how it is.

Of course, there are different materials that can be used with different expected useful lives, along with better designs and installations that can result in a longer expected useful life. For example, if the wall was made out of natural stone, and if it was installed correctly, it would last a long time, even 100 years, or more.

So, does this happen to every component in real estate? YES. But things deteriorate at different rates. Wood that is subject to moisture is prone to rotting quickly. Whereas AZEC (made of PVC/plastic) is not prone to rotting and can therefore last a long time. A cheap roof may be designed to last 10 years versus a slate roof which can last hundreds of years. Some water heaters may be designed to last about 10 years. Versus a high quality stainless steel water heater which may be guaranteed for life.

If you are interested, all our previous newsletters are available on our website blog. Click on the following link and it will take you right to it. https://safeharborinspections.com/blog/“

Safe Harbor Inspections Inc
PO Box 307
Brightwaters, NY 11718
Call or Text 24/7:
(631) 275-8080
(516) 764-4076
Email [email protected]

10/23/2025

Time for heating system maintenance.

Heating systems get neglected because it’s one of those “out of sight, out of mind” things. Proper maintenance can make a difference in the system’s performance, usually without much expense.

Hot water radiators should be “bled” every year. Air builds up in the radiator piping system, preventing hot water from getting to the radiator correctly. It can make a big difference in the performance of the system. And it’s not hard to do. Take the cover off the radiator. You should see a screw. Loosen the screw; you should hear a hiss of air coming out; and then water will start dripping/spraying out. When you see the water, tighten the screw. Do that for each radiator in the house. The system will perform better. The boiler should be serviced at least once a year, whether oil or gas.

Hot air systems utilize an air filter and an air handler. Air filters should be changed a few times during the heating season. If the filter isn’t changed, it clogs up and prevents proper airflow. In addition, have a heating contractor check the air handler to ensure it’s in good shape.

Sign up for a service contract with a plumbing/heating contractor. The benefits are:

Your system will be serviced
You will be on the contractor’s list as a customer. It’s a substantial benefit because you will get better service in an emergency than calling a contractor who doesn’t know you. For example, there’s a snowstorm with high winds and its very cold. Your boiler stops functioning. If you don’t have a service contract, you may have difficulty repairing your system.
For more related information click on this link:

https://safeharborinspections.com/blog/

Safe Harbor Inspections Inc
Call or Text 24/7:
(631) 275 - 8080
(516) 764 - 4076
Email :[email protected]
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10/15/2025

Are LED lightbulbs worth it?

If you’re like most people, you’ve asked yourself if it’s worth converting all of your regular lights to LEDs? In a word, YES. They are a little more expensive, but they pay off as an investment.

A 20 Watt LED puts out about as much light as a 100-Watt conventional lightbulb.
LEDs don’t put out much heat, so they make it cheaper to operate your air conditioner in the summer.
LEDs last much longer. Many LEDs have a rated life of up to 50,000 hours. This is approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent.
These days, LED bulbs can screw directly into most table lamps. And there are hi-hat conversion kits which make the installation easier.
LEDs are dimmable (you may have to change the dimmer switch).
They come in different colors, including warm and cool white.
LEDs come in different forms, including “tape” which works great underneath kitchen cabinets.
They also come in a style looking like florescent tube fixtures but they’re actually LED’s (great for garages/basements/workshops).
So yes, in my opinion, it does make sense to convert.

If you are interested, all our previous newsletters are available on our website blog. Click on the following link and it will take you right to it.

https://safeharborinspections.com/blog/“

Safe Harbor Inspections Inc
Call or Text 24/7:
(631) 275 - 8080
(516) 764 - 4076
Email :[email protected]

10/08/2025

Engineered Hardwood Floors versus Solid Hardwood Floors

While doing our Long Island and New York City home inspections, we are often asked “What’s the difference between solid hardwood flooring versus engineered hardwood floors”.

Solid hardwood floorboards have been used for hundreds of years. Usually, they are three quarters of an inch thick with varying widths and can be refinished multiple times before they need to be replaced. We have seen solid wood floors in place for over 150 years and still look great. Make sure the person doing the refinishing is a real professional because the floor may just require a light abrasion or cleaning to rejuvenate the floor versus a total sanding.

Engineered hardwood floors consist of a thin wood veneer applied on strips of plywood. They are durable and look great. However, typically engineered floors can only be refinished 1 or 2 times because the process can wear through the veneer and expose the plywood. The floorboards are mechanically strong because the plywood base is strong. In addition, engineered hardwood floors include a durable factory applied finish, but don’t expect this type of floor to last nearly as long as solid wood planks.

For more related information click on this link: https://safeharborinspections.com/

Safe Harbor Inspections Inc
PO Box 307
Brightwaters, NY 11718
Call or Text 24/7:
(631) 275-8080
(516) 764-4076
Email [email protected]

10/06/2025

Are yard depressions a problem?

Sometimes during our inspections, we see a yard depression. Is this a problem? Well, it depends.

As inspectors a few scenarios go through our minds, some with more important implications than others.

Is it a functioning or an abandoned cesspool? Cesspools often get abandoned which entails filling in the old cesspool with soil. The soil may have settled over the years leaving a depression in the yard. It could also be an abandoned cesspool that never got filled in. Is it a working cesspool that is in a deteriorated condition? Is the depression from a tree that got removed? Is it an oil tank? Is it a broken sewer line washing out the soil? Is it a sinkhole?

All these scenarios have different implications. Based on what was discovered during the inspection, the recommendation may be to do nothing, or it may be to contact a sewage company and/or an oil tank specialist for further evaluation. If a deteriorated cesspool is suspected, it should be dealt with quickly due to safety concerns.

For more related information click on this link:
https://safeharborinspections.com/blog/

Safe Harbor Inspections Inc
PO Box 307
Brightwaters, NY 11718
Call or Text 24/7:
(631) 275-8080
(516) 764-4076
Email [email protected]