Photo by Igor Tudoran on Unsplash
It's been raining for days and days in the Washington D.C. area. According to the National Weather Service, this massive amount of rainfall broke records set back in 1905. So what does this mean for people who want to buy a home in Maryland, Virginia or Washington D.C.?
Get Your Umbrella & Raincoat and Tour!
This is the very best time to see houses especially the basements. Here are a few key things to look for on a rainy house tour.
- Water intrusion can cause serious issues in a house. I recommend starting a house tour in the basement. First, what does it smell like as you walk downstairs? Is the foundation made of cinder block or poured concrete? Cinderblock is permeable and found in homes built all over the Greater DC and Baltimore area. In fact, prior to the late 50's, cinderblock was the primary masonry used to build foundation walls. (before that it was stone & rock) If you can smell the moisture in a basement, you may need to buy a dehumidifier. The dehumidifier will reduce humidity & moisture in the home and can eliminate the smell of moisture in the air.
- Look for signs of water wicking on staircase framing and baseboards. This is one of the best ways to see the history of a house. I check under the staircase for signs of water on the wooden framing. Touch the wood to see if it's retaining moisture. Check the paneling and wooden baseboards for signs of warping or water damage. If a house has water issues and it's been raining many days, you will smell and feel the moisture in these areas of the basement.
- Ask if the Sellers have a french drain or interior drain system. If a house has a history of water problems, the homeowners may have installed one of these two systems to remedy the problem. The french drain is a trench filled with gravel or rock with a perforated pipe that redirects water away from an area. Some people prefer the interior drain system. If you are buying a home and see that the homeowner installed one of these two systems along with a sump pump, it's generally a good sign.
- Go upstairs and look at the ceiling. Look up at the ceiling when you are touring a home for sale. Are they any stains or discolored areas? Is there access to the attic? If so, look for signs of wetness. Also, check that the attic is vented properly. If there are attic vents at the ends of the house, check that they are secure. Birds and rodents can get into attics if these vents have holes or are loose.
- Walk around the outside of the house. Recently, I walked around the outside of a brick house and noticed some large cracks in the foundation and brick wall. The foundation cracks were behind bushes so they weren't easy to find but they were very large. In fact, I wrote a blog about it called, "Are cracks in a Home a Concern?" because they are a serious problem. Look at the downspouts and how the water is being directed away from the foundation. Remember, water is no friend to a house. A dry house will have proper grading around the foundation. There will also be gutter guards and drain hoses connected to the downspouts.
Work with knowledgeable agents who take time to evaluate a property.
This is the biggest investment you'll make in your lifetime. Learn something new with every house you visit and enjoy the journey!
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