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PLAY VIDEORadon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that is sometimes found in the basements of American homes. While it is impossible to detect...
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PLAY VIDEOHeating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment provides heating and cooling for your home. The HVAC system may also be responsible for providing fresh outdoor...
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PLAY VIDEOTermites and other wood destroying insects cause billions of dollars in damage each year. Termites are the most notorious pests, but you can also have carpenter...
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PLAY VIDEOAlmost every new home built today includes an elevated porch or deck. Great for seasonal socializing, right? However, before you put another shrimp on the...
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PLAY VIDEOA roof inspection is an important preventative maintenance job that can identify issues before they turn into larger problems like leaks and rotting wood. And...
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PLAY VIDEOAn attic inspection, while not exactly comfortable or glamorous, is a very important part of the home inspection process. In the Summer, attic temperatures can...
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PLAY VIDEOWhen establishing the final grading plan (the landscaping of soil elevations) of your home, make sure that water will move down and away from the foundation....
When establishing the final grading plan (the landscaping of soil elevations) of your home, make sure that water will move down and away from the foundation. Bill Bitz looks for a three-to-one slope, which means that you build the soil at the foundation up to three inches, and over the course of three feet fade the soil down to level. If you don't establish a proper grading plan and the lot isn't graded properly, water from storms and irrigation can run back toward your home. The water accumulation can result in saturated soil at the foundation wall, which can cause hydrostatic pressure and subsequent foundation cracks; and water intrusion, which can lead to maintenance bills, mold growth, and wood destroying insects.
It's not very costly to make grading improvement, but it can save a lot of money down the road. Make sure to:
- Grade the grounds away from the house
- Create the proper three-to-one slope
- Downspouts should extend away from the foundation
- Water accumulation should exit the lot to an approved storm drain system
The storm drain exit is an essential step, because an improper grading plan can mean trouble for the neighbors. Improperly diverted rain and snowmelt runoff can cause erosion and flooding for adjoining lots, leaving you potentially liable for damages. As Bill likes to say, water is the Number One enemy of your house, but through these inexpensive and easy mitigation methods, you can make sure your house stays dry.