Not Subtle If You Look

 Realtors in our wet Pacific Northwest are usually expecting an inspection report to mention something about gutter or downspout problems -- gutters full of leaves, gutter leaks, downspouts draining on the siding or next to the house. Sometimes agents will, visually, take a look at gutters as they walk around the home with their clients. One thing to look for, that seems to be often missed, is the downspout that is leaking at an elbow or where there is a joint of one kind or another. The photo below is a good example of that -- more obvious than what you usually see. Sometimes this is caused by simple physics: The downspout was put together wrong and the lower section is "inside" the upper section so water runs out around the sides. In this case, and being familiar with the home, it is more likely that the second elbow down was full of debris. Leaks like this can damage siding or trim, if the the leaking water stays in contact with it over time.

Thanks for stopping by

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA home inspector