Somerton East is a Far Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood in ZIP 19116, east of the Somerton core along the boundary with Lower Southampton Township in Bucks County. The housing stock consists predominantly of post-war detached and semi-detached homes built from the late 1950s through the mid-1970s, with larger lots than the typical Philadelphia rowhouse market. Buried heating oil tanks in pre-1975 homes, pool and deck permit compliance gaps, and aging mechanical systems in homes that have not been renovated since original construction are the primary property risks for buyers in this market.
Buried heating oil tanks in pre-1975 homes
Homes in Somerton East built before natural gas conversion became widespread in the Northeast — roughly pre-1975 — frequently had oil-fired heating systems with buried underground storage tanks (USTs) on the property. Many of these tanks were never properly decommissioned when heating systems were converted to gas. A buried tank that has leaked creates contamination liability that is the property owner's responsibility under Pennsylvania law.
- Physical indicators of a buried tank. Look for: fill pipe stubs or vent pipes in the yard, basement, or side of the foundation; oil burner or oil-fired boiler equipment in the basement (even if disconnected); a fill-pipe capped at the exterior foundation wall; unusual soil mounding or depressions in the yard.
- PATS database search. Pennsylvania DEP maintains the Pennsylvania Above-ground and Underground Tank database (PATS). Search the property address for any registered or decommissioned tanks. Note that many residential tanks were never registered, so a clean PATS result does not guarantee no tank exists.
- Ground-penetrating radar or magnetometry sweep. Before contracting on any pre-1975 home in this ZIP where oil heat is suspected, commission a magnetometry sweep of the yard. Cost is typically $200–$500 and definitively identifies buried ferrous tanks. A confirmed buried tank should be removed before closing, not after. Removal and environmental testing typically costs $1,500–$4,000 for a clean site; contamination remediation can reach $50,000–$250,000+. See our buried oil tank guide.
- PA DEP Act 32 LUST program. Confirmed contamination from a leaking underground storage tank (LUST) triggers PA DEP notification requirements and remediation oversight. This is not optional and follows the property through ownership transfers.
Lenders and insurers take buried oil tanks seriously. Conventional, FHA, and VA lenders frequently require tank removal or environmental clearance before funding. Homeowners insurers may exclude coverage for contamination claims. Resolve tank status during the inspection period, not at the closing table.
Pool and deck permit compliance gaps
Somerton East's larger lot sizes make in-ground and above-ground pools, rear decks, and accessory structures common. A significant proportion of these improvements were installed without the required permits, particularly those added in the 1970s–1990s before stricter municipal enforcement.
- In-ground pool permit verification. An in-ground pool requires a building permit covering excavation, structural shell, electrical bonding, and fencing. Pull the property's permit history via Atlas or eCLIPSE and confirm a pool permit was obtained. An in-ground pool installed without a permit was never inspected for electrical bonding compliance — a safety issue and a potential homeowners insurance concern.
- Above-ground pool electrical connections. Above-ground pools require proper electrical bonding and GFCI protection at any external outlet used for pool equipment. Verify electrical compliance during the home inspection. Unpermitted electrical work for pool equipment is a common L&I complaint trigger in this market.
- Deck structural assessment. Rear decks added without permits were never reviewed for structural adequacy, ledger connection to the house, joist sizing, or footings. An unpermitted deck should be assessed by a licensed contractor or structural engineer before accepting it as part of the purchase.
- Shed and accessory structure setbacks. Philadelphia zoning code requires setback compliance for accessory structures (sheds, garages, detached workshops). Oversized or improperly sited accessory structures can create L&I violations if a neighbor complains.
Aging mechanical systems
Homes in Somerton East that have not been updated since original construction (1955–1975) carry mechanical systems at or beyond expected service life. Heating systems, electrical panels, and plumbing are the three most common areas of deferred replacement in this market segment.
- Heating system age. A gas forced-air furnace or heat pump installed at original construction in a 1965 home is now 60+ years old. Average service life for residential furnaces is 15–25 years. A system this age should be evaluated by a licensed HVAC contractor during the inspection period. Factor replacement cost ($4,000–$8,000 for a forced-air system) into your negotiation if the system is at or beyond service life.
- Electrical panel capacity and age. Original 100-amp panels from the 1960s–1970s are often undersized for modern loads and may use outdated breaker technology. Identify the panel brand (Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels in particular have known safety concerns) and confirm adequate amperage for the home's current and planned use. Panel upgrades typically cost $1,500–$4,000.
- Plumbing materials. Homes from this era commonly have galvanized steel supply piping, copper supply lines (generally fine), or in some cases early CPVC. Galvanized steel piping degrades from the inside out, reducing water flow over time and eventually failing. Inspect water pressure at multiple fixtures during the home inspection.
Run a free report on any Somerton East address
Flagstone pulls L&I violations, permit history, rental license status, 311 complaints, OPA records, and flood zone data. First report free, no credit card.
Check a Somerton East addressPennypack Creek flood zone on lower-elevation lots
Lower-elevation portions of Somerton East near Pennypack Creek tributaries may fall within FEMA flood zone designations. Verify flood zone status for any property in a lower-elevation or creek-adjacent location.
- FEMA FIRM lookup for the specific parcel. Search the exact property address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Zone AE properties require flood insurance when federally backed financing is used. Lower-elevation lots adjacent to Pennypack Creek tributaries are most at risk.
- Pennypack flooding history. The Pennypack Creek watershed has experienced significant flooding events during heavy rainfall and nor'easters. Even properties not in Zone AE may experience stormwater drainage issues and yard flooding during major events. Ask about flooding history in the seller disclosure.
Radon in Far Northeast Philadelphia
ZIP 19116 is in Pennsylvania's Zone 1 high-radon belt. Detached homes with slab-on-grade or basement foundations have elevated radon exposure risk. Radon testing should be standard practice for every home purchase in this area.
- Short-term radon test during inspection period. A charcoal canister short-term radon test ($15–$30 for a DIY kit) placed in the lowest livable level of the home for 48–96 hours during the inspection period provides a baseline reading. If the result is at or above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, arrange mitigation.
- Sub-slab depressurization (ASD) mitigation. If radon levels exceed 4 pCi/L, a licensed PA DEP-certified mitigator can install an ASD system for $800–$2,000. Negotiate a mitigation credit or seller installation as a condition of the purchase agreement. See our radon guide for full context.
What to check on every Somerton East property
- Buried oil tank investigation. For any pre-1975 home, check PATS database and commission a magnetometry sweep if oil heating history is suspected.
- Pool and deck permit verification. Pull the full permit history via Atlas. Confirm permits exist for any pool, deck, or accessory structure on the property.
- Heating system age and condition assessment. Commission a licensed HVAC contractor inspection during the inspection period.
- Electrical panel identification. Identify panel brand, amperage, and age. Flag Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels for evaluation.
- Plumbing material identification. Test water pressure at multiple fixtures. Identify supply pipe material.
- FEMA flood zone designation. Look up the exact parcel on the FEMA FIRM map for creek-adjacent or lower-elevation lots.
- Radon test. Conduct a short-term radon test during the inspection period.
- Full L&I permit and violation history. Pull via Atlas to identify any open permits or outstanding violations before contracting.