True or False: A buried oil tank is beyond the scope of a home inspection.

A buried oil tank is, indeed, beyond the scope of a standard home inspection primarily due to safety, accessibility, and regulatory concerns. Home inspectors typically do not perform detailed investigations of items buried underground, such as oil tanks, as this would require specialized equipment or techniques not standard in typical home inspection practices.

Additionally, home inspectors focus on visible and accessible components of a property to assess their condition and functionality. Since a buried oil tank is not visible or accessible without extensive excavation or specialized equipment, it falls outside the normal inspection criteria.

Furthermore, there are specific regulations and procedures for dealing with underground storage tanks that vary by location and can involve environmental assessments. Given these complexities and the potential risks associated with buried tanks—such as leaks or contamination—it's a common practice to exclude them from general property inspections. This aligns with the established protocols in the industry, which aim to protect both the inspector and the homeowner.