The most common defect found during Ogden, Utah Home Inspections

 

The lack of DOWNSPOUT EXTENSIONS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.


Most home owners pay little attention to their downspouts. The majority of Ogden, Utah homes lack any form of downspout extensions at all which basically defeats the entire point of having gutters.

 

Many home owners assume that since they have new gutters or nice gutters that their downspout extensions are sufficient. Such assumptions are wrong. Downspout extensions aren't usually provided by the gutter installation company because anything past the lower 45 degree angle is considered landscaping.

 

Not having downspout extensions can often cause more damage than if the home had no gutters at all. The whole purpose of gutters is to direct the water shed off the roof and away from the foundation. When there are no DS extensions, all the water from the roof is being dumped into one smaller area right up against the foundation.

Ogden Utah Home Inspection Defect

The lack of downspouts can cause:

  • -Major erosion problems
  • -Large areas of standing water
  • -foumdation problems
  • -moisture concerns
  • -basement flooding
  • -molding
  • -exterior siding deteroration
  • as well as numerous other costly problems

 

                                                                IMPROPER

Utah Infrared Home and Building Inspections      Utah Infrared Home and Building Inspections

 

 

Downspouts are very cheap an can be purchased at nearly all home improvement stores. Check your home for proper downspouts and gutter drainage and prevent many of the costly problems that can be easily avoided. The goal is to get the water shed ATLEAST 6 FEET AWAY FROM THE HOME.

 

 

Utah Infrared Home Inspections, Building Inspections, Radon Testing, Mold Testing, Meth Testing

 

Ph. 801-781-0224         brandon@IrUtah.com

 

Utah Infrared Home and Building Inspections Websites :

www.UtahInfraredInspection.com

www.IrUtah.com

www.pwrck.com

www.SaltLakeCityInspection.com

 

 

20 Comments on The most common defect found during Ogden, Utah Home Inspections

NOV
12
2011
136,808 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Very good point Brandon-- and only about a $5.00 fix to avoid thousands and thousands of dollars of damage!
6:53am • #1
477,657 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Brandon,

I think this is a problem all over the country. Gutter drop at the door. No down spout.

This buyer will have to duck and run if they don't want to get wet when it's raining.

Have a great day in Utah.

Best, Clint McKie
6:58am • #2
1,451,607 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good post. I have seen new homes with the same defect. You would think builders know about it.
7:10am • #3
1,947,616 Points 477 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I see this problem on about 50% of the properties that I preview or show.  I also get a chuckle when I see a "splash pan" intalled backwards, thus eliminating the "splash".

 

I love Clint's photo.  Looks like an outdoor bath shower.  All that's missing is the stall.
7:15am • #4
227,097 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

It has always amazed me how people can have a puddle of water at the base of their gutters (next to their home foundation) and not realize the purpose of the gutters is to get the water away from their house, not simply to guide the water to the ground. Having grown up in the Seattle area, downspouts were a given, but not so much attention is paid to them in many areas. Luckily it's an easy and inexpensive fix.
7:30am • #5
795,720 Points 80 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Brandon, you are so right that this is the #1 fix for homeowners & as realtors we see this time and timea gain...great post!
7:41am • #6
552,191 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good info to have, Brandon.  I'll have to take a better look at listings from now on.  Have a great Saturday!!
8:23am • #7
1,498,987 Points 353 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Fortunately here in GA we have dense red clay soil and a splash pan is typically sufficient, but there are many cases where extensions are warranted.
8:24am • #8
974,254 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great post! I like picking up good tips from Home Inspectors on AR.
8:27am • #9
729,681 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Brandon, I had to use the black corrugated piping to get the water away from my foundation. Thanks for the reminder.
8:39am • #10
132,983 Points 18 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Brandon,

Up here you don't see as many gutters, mainly because when they are installed (Usually improperly for this area) the Ice and Snow will bring them down over the course of the Winter. I have seen, on more than one occasion, where the moisture drains toward the foundation and basically allows water to build up in crawl spaces below the homes. Many of the homes in this area have sump pumps to alleviate this problem, but why not get a proper drainage system in place to avoid all of the headaches?

9:08am • #11
837,277 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You know these spouts can do much good in regulating and collecting water and at the very least preventing damages...good awareness post
10:21am • #12
152,233 Points

Great post on what to look for in a home inspection, or just any visual inspection of a prospective property.

Thanks for sharing it.
11:47am • #13
1,125,192 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Very cheap, easy fix! You don't even have to have any experience in construction to fix that one yourself and you don't need to be an expert to identify the problem. Good post.
2:19pm • #14
264,557 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I went to my local hardware store years ago and bought plastic extension for my downspouts. They are inconvenient because I have to attach them when it rains and remove them when it is nice weather but they are necessary to keep the area next to my house for turning into a swamp.
7:33pm • #15
804,827 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Brandon - The point about the six foot extension is important.  I will need to verify that my extensions are six feet long.
10:45pm • #16
547,329 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Brandon:

Not having extensions can create a serious problem with the foundation.  People should realize that having water continually dumped at the foundation is not good.  It is so easy to attach extensions during the rainy season and then remove them when its dry.  Makes sense.
11:01pm • #17
NOV
13
2011
125,132 Points

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that suggests this in my reports. I ask for at least 3 feet. Due to lot lines in some areas 6 feet is to long and you would be putting water onto neighboring property. Good information for all since the wet weather is on it's way.
12:41am • #18
248,016 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Brandon thank you for the info I would never have thought about downspouts. A $5 dollar fix that can save hundreds if not thousands. Wow.
4:39am • #19
875,045 Points 48 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It sure seems like an easy enough fix! Thanks for the heads up, Brandon!
8:37am • #20


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Brandon Clark

Ogden, UT

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UTAH INFRARED Home and Building Inspections

Address: 5661 Woodshire Ct, Ogden, UT, 84403

Office Phone: (801) 781-0224

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