Bergen County is the most populous county in New Jersey and one of the most sought-after real estate markets in the northeast — driven by its proximity to Manhattan, its top-ranked school districts, and its wide range of housing from entry-level ranches to multi-million dollar estates. The housing stock spans more than a century of construction, from pre-war Tudors and Colonials in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, and Westwood to mid-century splits and ranches in Paramus and Teaneck, to newer construction in developing areas throughout the county.
Michael Del Greco has been inspecting homes in Bergen County since 1993. Here is what he finds most consistently across the county’s diverse neighborhoods and construction eras.
Aging Electrical Systems
Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Pre-war homes throughout Bergen County — the Tudors, Colonials, and Cape Cods of Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Westwood, Oradell, and Dumont — frequently contain original or partially-retained knob-and-tube wiring. This wiring predates the grounded electrical system, lacks a ground conductor, and is incompatible with modern appliance loads. When previous owners have added blown-in attic insulation over active knob-and-tube circuits — a combination Michael finds regularly in Bergen County attics — the result is a documented fire hazard. Many insurers will not cover homes with active knob-and-tube wiring without requiring full rewiring.
Aluminum Branch Circuit Wiring
Bergen County experienced significant residential development during the 1960s and early 1970s — particularly in Paramus, Teaneck, Fair Lawn, and Lodi. Homes built in this period frequently used aluminum branch circuit wiring, which expands and contracts differently than copper at connections and devices, creating a fire hazard at improperly remediated connection points. Full remediation requires either rewiring or installation of CO/ALR-rated devices at every connection throughout the home.
Undersized Electrical Service and Missing GFCI
Older Bergen County homes on 60-amp service — common in pre-1960 construction — are significantly undersized for modern household demand. Missing GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exterior locations is consistently found in pre-1980 homes throughout the county.
Plumbing — Galvanized Steel and Cast Iron
In Bergen County homes built before 1970, galvanized steel supply piping is common. At the end of its service life, corroded galvanized pipe restricts water flow, discolors water, and eventually fails. Homes where water pressure is noticeably reduced at upper-floor fixtures frequently have galvanized supply lines as the cause.
Original cast iron drain stacks in pre-war Bergen County homes are commonly 80 to 100 years old. Michael notes the age, visible condition, and any observable evidence of deterioration in drain systems, and recommends further evaluation by a licensed plumber when the system shows signs of age-related wear.
Oil Heat and Underground Storage Tanks
Oil heat remains prevalent in Bergen County’s older housing stock, and many properties that converted to gas years ago still have abandoned underground oil storage tanks on the property. Michael strongly recommends an oil tank scan by a qualified specialist for any Bergen County property built before 1985 where oil heat was historically used, regardless of the current heating system.
Basement Water Intrusion
Bergen County’s topography — rolling hills, river valleys, and significant areas of impermeable glacial till — makes basement water intrusion a persistent concern across much of the county. The Saddle River, Hackensack River, and their tributaries run through many of the county’s most desirable communities. Michael evaluates basement walls and floors for evidence of past or present water intrusion and notes when the presence of an interior drainage system indicates a property with a documented water history.
Radon
Bergen County has measurable radon potential across many of its communities. Michael recommends radon testing for every Bergen County home purchase. He is a licensed New Jersey Radon Measurement Technician (License #MET10521, since 1993) and adds radon testing to approximately 90% of his Bergen County inspections.
Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood — What to Expect
Pre-War Communities: Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Westwood, Oradell, Dumont
Pre-war construction means knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, original cast iron drains, oil heat legacy, and the accumulated modifications of 80 to 100 years of owner decisions. Michael’s inspection in these homes is a thorough evaluation of layered history — identifying what has been properly updated, what has not, and what requires attention before or after closing.
Post-War Development: Paramus, Fair Lawn, Teaneck, Lodi
Mid-century Bergen County development produced a large stock of ranches, splits, and bi-levels with their own specific concerns: aluminum wiring in 1965-1975 construction, aging HVAC systems approaching end of service life, and flat or low-slope roofing sections on bi-levels with drainage issues.
Northern Bergen County: Mahwah, Ramsey, Wyckoff, Allendale
The larger properties of northern Bergen County introduce additional considerations: private wells and septic on some older rural properties, and proximity to the Ramapo River flood plain in some areas. Michael recommends radon testing specifically for northern Bergen County properties given the geology of the Ramapo Mountains.
Schedule Your Bergen County Home Inspection
Call (973) 812-5100 between 8 AM and 8 PM on business days, or 8 AM to 5 PM on weekends. Michael serves every Bergen County community including Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Westwood, Paramus, Teaneck, Fair Lawn, Hackensack, Fort Lee, Englewood, Mahwah, Ramsey, Wyckoff, Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River, and all surrounding towns.
Accurate Inspections, Inc.
56 Woodland Drive, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
(973) 812-5100
Inspecting NJ Homes Since 1993 | NJ Licensed Home Inspector GI0121
