How Ashley Spot’s Water Drainage Issues When Showing a Wake County Home
There are red flags you can spot when touring a home that can indicate if drainage is or has been an issue!
Standing water in crawl space - probably the most obvious, right? Always open the crawl space door if you can access it and pop your head in to see if any water is standing on the vapor barrier. Run through your head if it rained recently. Was it a major storm or not so bad? Does it smell like mildew? Use all of your senses when looking in a crawlspace.
Gutters that need to be cleaned - do the gutters have mini-trees growing out of them? I have seen it before so don’t laugh! Gutters full of pine needles and other tree debris are no bueno for your foundation, fascia board and siding. Full gutters don’t allow rainwater to travel off the home adequately so it gushes over the gutter edges and corners dumping off at the foundation. Look at the ground under the gutters. Is grass growing? Is the base of the home stained with red clay dirt? That is because the gutter water is overflowing and not traveling to downspouts like it should.
Migrating Mulch - check out the flower beds and landscaping around the home. Is the mulch or landscaping pebbles where it should be or has it made it’s way down the hill? A clear sign that water is not draining or being directed to the right place.
Standing water in Yard - grading of the yard makes a big difference. Look for swampy, soft spots. Oftentimes grass will not grow in these areas.
Effervescence - not an early 2000’s band rather a visual sign that water is an issue or has been an issue in the past. When you notice the chalky white substance on the brick foundation or the backside of chimneys, raise your flag and do a little more research. Ask the sellers if they had had issues and if so, what was done to correct it. It could be old and not an issue anymore but better to find out before you go under contract!
Cupping or warping of floors inside the home - Have you ever noticed when wood floor planks create a concave shape where the sides are raised a tad higher than the middle? That is cupping and occurs when there are significant humidity differences between the crawlspace and the interior living space, often caused by water drainage.
When looking for a new home, it can be hard to break through the excitement and look for these tell-tale signs of water drainage issues. That is why having a Realtor with you who will do the job for you. Evergreen House is working for you and protecting your best interest so you make the best investment for you and your family. Looking to buy or sell in the Triangle area? Give Evergreen a call or visit greenhomesnc.com to learn more about how we go the extra mile in helping our clients.
