Union County sits at the crossroads of northern and central New Jersey — densely developed, well-connected to Manhattan via multiple rail lines, and home to one of the most varied housing stocks in the state. From the Victorian-era Colonials and Craftsmans of Westfield, Cranford, and Summit to the mid-century ranches and splits of Springfield and Kenilworth to the urban multi-families of Elizabeth and Plainfield, Union County’s housing reflects more than a century of suburban development at different scales and price points.
Michael Del Greco has been inspecting Union County homes since 1993. Here is what he finds most consistently.
Aging Electrical Systems
Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Union County’s older communities — Westfield, Cranford, Summit, New Providence, Mountainside, and the historic sections of Elizabeth — contain pre-war homes with original or partially-retained knob-and-tube wiring. The insulation-over-knob-and-tube combination is a documented fire hazard that Michael finds regularly in older Union County attics. Many insurers will not cover homes with this condition without requiring remediation.
Aluminum Branch Circuit Wiring
Union County’s mid-century development — particularly in Springfield, Kenilworth, Roselle Park, and Clark — produced homes in the 1965-1975 window where aluminum branch circuit wiring was commonly installed. Full remediation requires either rewiring or CO/ALR-rated devices at every connection throughout the home.
Missing GFCI Protection
Missing GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exterior locations is consistently found in pre-1980 Union County homes — present in nearly every inspection Michael conducts in older properties throughout the county.
Plumbing
Galvanized steel supply piping in pre-1970 Union County homes is a consistent finding. Reduced water pressure at upper floors, discolored water, and pinhole leaks at fittings are the typical presentations of galvanized lines approaching or past end of service life. Full replacement is the definitive remedy — buyers should price the work with a licensed plumber before their contingency expires.
Original cast iron drain stacks in Union County’s pre-war homes are commonly 80 to 100 years old. Michael notes the age, visible condition, and any observable deterioration, and recommends further evaluation by a licensed plumber when signs of wear are present.
Oil Heat and Underground Storage Tanks
Oil heat was prevalent in Union County’s pre-1980 housing stock, and abandoned underground oil storage tanks are a significant concern throughout the county — particularly in Westfield, Cranford, Summit, New Providence, and Springfield, where larger older properties historically had substantial oil storage capacity.
Michael strongly recommends an underground oil tank scan for any Union County property built before 1985 where oil heat was historically used. Discovering contamination after closing makes it the new owner’s problem. Discovering it before closing — during the inspection contingency — gives the buyer negotiating options.
Basement Water Intrusion
Union County’s varied topography — the Watchung Mountain ridgeline running through the western part of the county, and the lower-elevation communities to the east — creates drainage conditions that contribute to basement water intrusion throughout the county. Properties in Springfield, Mountainside, and Summit near the Watchung ridgeline are particularly prone to water management challenges. Michael evaluates basement conditions carefully and notes when the presence of interior drainage systems indicates a documented water history.
Radon
Union County has measurable radon potential, particularly in the communities near the Watchung Mountains — Summit, Mountainside, Springfield, and New Providence. Michael recommends radon testing for all Union County home purchases. He is a licensed New Jersey Radon Measurement Technician (License #MET10521, since 1993). Individual property testing is the only reliable approach — county or neighborhood averages cannot predict the radon level in any specific home.
Union County by Area — What to Expect
The Desirable Commuter Towns: Westfield, Cranford, Summit, New Providence
These communities command premium prices and contain premium-quality older housing — with correspondingly complex inspection profiles. Pre-war construction means layered electrical modifications, aging plumbing, oil heat legacy, and the accumulated decisions of 80 to 100 years of ownership. Buyers at these price points deserve an inspection that captures the full picture — not a cursory walkthrough.
Mid-Century Suburbs: Springfield, Clark, Kenilworth, Roselle Park
Post-war Union County development produced a consistent stock of ranches, colonials, and bi-levels with aluminum wiring in 1965-1975 construction, aging HVAC systems, and flat or low-slope roofing sections prone to drainage issues. These are among the most frequently inspected housing types in Michael’s Union County practice.
Urban Communities: Elizabeth, Plainfield, Linden
Union County’s urban communities present inspection challenges similar to Essex and Hudson County’s densest neighborhoods: pre-war construction, layered electrical systems, aging plumbing, multi-family conversion histories, and in Elizabeth — one of New Jersey’s oldest cities — housing that may predate modern building standards by a century or more.
Schedule Your Union 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 Union County community including Westfield, Cranford, Summit, New Providence, Mountainside, Springfield, Clark, Kenilworth, Roselle Park, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Linden, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Garwood, 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
