From this yard I could look out and see the high Blue Ridge Mountains, yes ... but drains should not be the high point.

We have two sets of mountains here in Virginia - the Alleghenies (Blue Ridge) and the Shenandoahs.  I have seen, and climbed, the Rockies out west.  And for two years I lived more than two thousand feet high in the Andes Mountains of South America.  Mountains are beautiful, mountains are fun and mountains are a high point.

But if you're a drain, and you are the high point, well, things will get very lonely.

Looking down into this stairwell I wondered why there was puddling and so much debris beside this drain.

After all, there is only about a 2" lip there before collecting water can get into the finished basement.

So it's important that water can flow from here directly to the sump pump to be sent elsewhere.

From the basement it is easy to see why this pattern has developed beside the drain.

THE DRAIN IS PLACED AT THE HIGH POINT!

Not only is there a little slope up toward the drain, which you can tell from the water pattern, but there is a lip around the hole so water can't really reach it.

A photo from below does not do this phenomenon justice, but simply looking at the pattern here describes the problem.

Just six inches more toward the door and this drain would be in the perfect, and lowest, position.  Believe me - physics works!

My recommendation:  it's a good thing they cleaned this staircase just before our inspection as without the moisture and mud pattern this drain issue would have been very hard to see.  I was glad they made the problem obvious!  On new construction inspections everything, really, everything, must be investigated.  Just 10' from this stairwell is planted a leafy tree.  That will also be a problem in years to come, which the client now understands too.  Leaves clog drains!

 

 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


 
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23 Comments on Mountains, Yes ... But Drains Should Not Be The High Point

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
27
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks James, and drains should take advantage of both!
4:51am • #4
1,137,581 Points 153 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is odd...since the drain really has one purpose.  And, I certainly don't get why there would ever be a lip around it.  Nonsensical.
5:08am • #5
1,066,994 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

A situation requiring a diligent inspection....hmmm
5:14am • #6
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Odd to say the least Debbie.  Sometimes I don't understand the thinking.

Go figure S&D!  And new construction too, when everything is so perfect it doesn't need and inspection!
5:38am • #7
941,460 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

If the plumber would of just done it right the first time, then you would not have to write about it-but he did so Congrats on the feature
5:49am • #8
777,397 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Darned physics! hehehe

It is important that the drain be free of leaves and debris Jay, many believe that just having a drain is enough.

Congrats on the feature.
5:59am • #9
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It may not have been the plumber Harry, but more the concrete guy.  Who knows...

Tom - thanks.  When trees are nearby we always have a talk.  But the physics here caused even more talking!
6:12am • #10
198,922 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I would guess that it was a combination of the plumber plumbing it too high and the guy that built the concrete forms too low... the concrete guy just troweled everything to fit... incredible. I see it a lot on condo's with concrete rear porches, pitched the wrong way towards the building.
6:39am • #11
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You might be right Fred.  The plumber left it a bit long, perhaps even before they poured the stairs and then the concrete guy angled things incorrectly.  Either way, el draino no worko.
6:50am • #12
198,922 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

LOL, I didn't know you spoke Spanish...
7:49am • #13
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Actually I am fluent in Spanish and Quechua, having lived in South America for two years Fred.  But my Spanglish is absolutely perfect too.

Correctly put, that phrase would be "el dranaje está tapado y no funciona."
7:50am • #14
395,891 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I've never met a plumber that majored in physics (at least not yet).  Sometimes the common sense is just not there with some workmanship.
8:43am • #15
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

No doubt, Gary.  But we all have an inherent understanding of physics and fluid dynamics, and are familiar with the cliche that crap flows downhill!
8:49am • #16
227,617 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay -- you stole my line before I could get here.  What is it about water seeking its own level these guys don't get?
10:19am • #17
155,778 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

What your article is really telling people is that even new construction needs inspection. Supervision co-ordination was not effective here or there was none. So get an inspection.
10:29am • #18
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Well, remember Steven, they have not had any physics classes.

Robert - of course!  I have been doing new construction inspections for about 15 years, with amazing results, and have posted many times about those amazing things.  The biggest problem with new construction is the word "professionalism."
12:54pm • #19
405,185 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Good afternoon James. Whaaat? Water won't run up hill? What if you ask it nice?  lol
1:08pm • #20
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It can't be, Randy, that the Roman aqueducts went from higher to lower ground, can it?
1:14pm • #21
OCT
28
567,660 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Leaves also clog gutters. I see alot of that now. 
6:20am • #22
974,161 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yes, that tree nearby will eventually be a problem Jim.  I suggested that they move it.  For sure the builder won't.
7:01am • #23

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Jay Markanich - N. Virginia Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

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Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560

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An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.


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