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Trained home inspectors will tell you that the three problems most houses run into are: water, water and water. From pipes to roofs, it's an ongoing concern, and that's not even addressing the worst culprit, the leaky basement.
Wet basements are unusable and unsafe, weakening foundations and creating a breeding ground for toxic mold. But the good news is they can be easily detected and prevented.
As a home inspector, you should know the things to look for when it comes to basements and foundations. Roof drainage is, by far, your biggest concern. Properly designed rain gutters should have at least once downspout for every 600-800 square feet of roof surface. Gutters should be cleaned; dirty ones overflow directly down near the foundation and not away from it. Make sure downspouts discharge 4-6 feet from the foundation, otherwise it could be blasting the basement with water.
Next to gutter problems, the slope of the soil around the home can also cause problems. The soil should slope away to keep water from collecting near the foundation. The angle and type of soil are also important. It should slope down six inches over the first four feet from the foundation. It can be graded more gradually afterwards but should never allow water to run back in the direction of the home.
Landscape treatments that hold soil to the house can also create problems. Although a brick or stone edging around a garden adjacent to the foundation may look attractive, it can be preventing drainage away from the foundation, increasing your risk of flooding.
These tips could save a buyer a bundle in repair costs or a seller from reducing the value of their home.
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