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Be Sure Downspout Water Is Discharged AWAY From The House!

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

Be sure downspout water is discharged AWAY from the house!

Houses don't make very effective boats.  They don't like to sit in water.  When this house was built, in 1965, foundation drainage and sump pumps were not used. 

Today virtually every newly-built house has such drainage and a sump pump, at least around here.

This downspout drains right at the front corner of the house, and discharges about half of the water from the roof above, some 700 square feet. 

By my calculation, during a single 1" rain storm, that would represent about 225 gallons of water.

Recognizing water intrusion into the basement wall, this homeowner at some point thought to connect a drain line.  But that tubing came off, and the result can be seen below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There has not been a lot of recent rain.  So this moisture intrusion and staining has been happening for some time.

What the thermal camera demonstrates, and clearly, is where cooler temperatures are evident inside the wall.  This foundation is masonry block, so the "bricks" are hollow inside.  The cavities can actually hold water. 

The cooler temperatures represent moisture that is saturating inside of the blocks, and in this case the moisture's thermal signature can clearly be seen.

Long-term water pressure against a block foundation wall is not good. 

Long-term moisture around and inside a block foundation wall is not good.

The result?  Saturation, movement, and structural issues, all of which were evident on this house.

My recommendation:  water is THE  killer of houses, inside and out.  It must be controlled, diverted, and drained properly, inside and out.  Water must be paid attention to all over and all around the house! 

 

 

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments(10)

Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yes, that doesn't look so hot.  Yes, water can do a lot of damage to a home.  I hope they can fix this.

Aug 05, 2016 09:57 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

This is a caution we always give to Buyers and put in our newsletter as a reminder as well....water is not your foundation's friend.

Aug 05, 2016 09:58 PM
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Now that looks like a disaster waiting to happen

Aug 05, 2016 10:34 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Jay. This home needs some attention quick! Enjoy your day!

Aug 05, 2016 10:49 PM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Water, our most precious resource... and our homes worst enemy!

Aug 05, 2016 11:01 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Great tip Jay Markanich, this is a problem that is common but easily diverted with a little effort and care

Aug 07, 2016 11:04 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

This is an easy fix Debbie.  There is some foundation movement that might be a bit more touchy.

S&D - never has been, never is, and never will be!

Not waiting, Jennifer.  Happening now!

Wayne - there were a few things, but other specialists will be having a look too.

 

 

Aug 07, 2016 11:15 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Fred - right on both counts!

This downspout is easily diverted Scott.  There are a couple of other things that need some "special" attention.

Aug 07, 2016 11:16 AM
Stephen Weakley
Nationwide Mortgage Services - Rockville, MD

Had the exact problem years ago when we moved into our current house.  The diversion pipe had come loose and the water entered the basement where the sewer pipe exited the basement.  Fixed that one real quick and screwed the pipe to the downspout.  Four years later and still dry!

Aug 08, 2016 04:13 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

It's an easy fix Stephen.  The problem with this house is that the corner had moved so much that air conditioning could be felt through the crack in the foundation and brick!

Aug 08, 2016 08:16 AM