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Water Management Systems - Gradient

By
Home Inspector with HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC

Experience at HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, has shown that Water Management Systems are a major source of problems in Home and Commercial Building Inspections.  Failures of these of systems can lead to more serious problems such as mold and structural failure.

The components of the Water Management System include the roof, gutter/downspout/extension subsystem, windows, doors and gradient of the landscaping.  All of these have in common the responsibility of moving water off and/or away from the building. 

As shown in the picture below provided by Code Check, the outside gradient system of a home or building should include a vertical drop of at least 6 inches within the first 10' horizontally from the structure.  This is normally the case when the structure is first constructed.  However, after not very much time the grade will settle from the effects of rain fall and gravity.  It frequently settles to flat or, worse, a negative slope where it slopes back towards the building.  This negative slope acts like a funnel and directs runoff back to the house or building and eventually causes problems like a damaged or sinking foundation or moisture buildup in the crawl space or basement. If the grade of your building has settled it will be necessary to modify the landscape grade to re-establish the proper grade.

 

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Richard

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Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and lenders in the process of owning, buying or selling homes or commercial buildings.  HABITEC is a residential (home) and commercial building inspection company serving Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville, Dickson, Belle Meade, Columbia, Spring Hill and more!  In addition to building inspections HABITEC offers Environmental Services for mold assessments, radon testing and water quality analysis.  Additional information about HABITEC can be found on our website at www.habitecinspections.com, or call 615-376-2753. 

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