Here’s what it boils down to:
· If you don’t have rain gutters on every low roof edge, have them installed. This is one of those times when a little creativity can go a long way. Nine times out of ten, when gutters are installed, they are pitched high in the middle, and drain down toward each end. Your downspouts are going to be located at the low points in the gutter. If you have a driveway, patio, or walkway adjacent to the house, make sure the downspouts won’t be placed somewhere that will result in a tripping hazard or create an ice problem.
· If you have gutters, fix all leaks and clean them out at least once each year, more if you have a lot of overhanging trees. If you have screens on your gutters, they require less frequent cleaning, but they still get dirty so if it’s been awhile, check them.
· Make sure that all of the water that comes out of the downspouts flows quickly away from the foundation. If it doesn’t, then add extensions to the downspouts to make sure.
·Make sure that the soil next to the foundation is at least eight inches beneath the siding and is sloped away from the house at a pitch of at least 1:8 for a minimum of 12 feet. With most homes, adding a little screened loam will do the trick, but some folks may need to employ a landscaper with a Bob-Cat for this one. Do it. It’s more than worth the effort.
·Trim (or hack) your shrubs back so there is about 3 feet of clearance between the house and the shrubs. This air space is vital to allow the sun and wind help keep the area around your foundation dry.
Why go to all of this trouble you ask? Because dampness on the outside of a house does all of the following and more:
1) It is an attraction for subterranean termites.
2) It will lead to increased dampness and seepage (and often mold and mildew) in the basement.
3) It will foster mildew growth on the exterior.
4) It will peel paint from the exterior and hasten its decay.
5) It can erode the soil which supports the foundation walls, which leads to structural settlements over time.
6) It annoys home inspectors.
It annoys us because it is causes so many problems and is normally so easy to fix. But that’s no reason to fix it. Get it right for the long term health of your family and your house.
Many people have elaborate, invasive, expensive French drain/sump pump systems installed for several thousand dollars without ever attempting the cheaper, easier, more effective solutions outlined above. These expensive systems are sometimes necessary and usually keep the basement dry, but they do little or nothing to address the other five symptoms! Doesn’t it make sense to try the easy, less expensive, more effective solutions first? My father used to be fond of saying that if every house had good grading and drainage, home inspectors would quickly be put out of business. Give it a try (and let’s hope he’s wrong!)
If you have a water problem in your basement, install good gutters and downspouts (with extensions), do some landscaping to ensure water flows away from your foundation, and run a dehumidifier in the summer. I’ll bet this cures more than 80% of wet basements, and goes a long way toward improving the other 20%. In addition, you reduce your risk of getting termites, your basement will be drier, your paint will last longer, you will have eliminated a common source of foundation settlements, and you just might make your home inspector happy.
978.851.6315
Morrison Home Inspections
"Each house tells a story. We write 'em down."
Hablo Español
Empowering homebuyers with the information they need to make solid decisions since 1987
No comments:
Post a Comment