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One of those borderline FAQ's - Inspecting when it's raining

By
Home Inspector with Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA

Well.. maybe this is not a frequently asked question, but it does come up.  I'm talking about rain.  Yeah, you could refer to it as "ActiveRain."  I'll sometimes have a client ask me if we should reschedule an inspection because the forecast calls for rain or it's raining already.

I tell them that there's no better time to inspect a property than when it's raining or when it is going to rain.  Just consider all the outside variables including but not limited to roof, flashing, grading, gutters and drainage.  Inspecting the attic for roof leaks when it's raining.  Does that make sense to you?  You bet!

Areas that can make people nervous include the roof and the roof penetrations of piping and vents.  Moisture can seep into basements and crawlspaces are notorious areas where water intrusion and moisture are problems.  Ponding water in yards, driveways, walkways and patios can be easily located when it's wet outside!

So, although I am not always thrilled about inspecting and stomping around in very soggy conditions, it really is the absolute best condition for an inspection.  So, check out the forecast and schedule that inspection on a rainy day. 

ponding water due to lack of swale

Pond in back yard after rain

Steve Hall
RE/MAX United - San Marcos, CA
Make the Call to Hankins and Hall

I agree, there is nothing like seeing an "active" leak in the roof.  I didn't get much chance to inspect in the rain here in San Diego.  When I found water in the crawl space, I new it wasn't from rain!

Aug 28, 2008 04:10 AM
Anonymous
Hank Spinnler

That's funny, I often refer San Diego weather days when it's really nice.  We finally got rain last week after another summer of severe drought conditions.  4" to 5" of rain in a short period of time resulted in those flooded yards you see in the photos.

Aug 28, 2008 06:32 AM
#2
Joseph Lang
Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Home Inspector, Southern California

Great post, I agree.

Aug 28, 2008 11:22 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Hank,

Do we have a group of you folks who do inspections here on Active Rain?  If not, one of you should take the bull by the horns and start one. 

Mike in Tucson

Oct 08, 2008 01:06 AM
Hank Spinnler
Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA - Hoschton, GA
Atlanta Home Inspector

Hi Mike,

There are numerous inspector related groups here on the Rain although I have trouble pulling them all up in one easy to find location.  Here's one of the three groups I already belong to:

http://activerain.com/groups/inspect

There are some highly active posters and some are pretty good bloggers/writers. 

Oct 08, 2008 01:20 AM
Hank Spinnler
Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA - Hoschton, GA
Atlanta Home Inspector

Hi Mike,

There are numerous inspector related groups here on the Rain although I have trouble pulling them all up in one easy to find location.  Here's one of the three groups I already belong to:

http://activerain.com/groups/inspect

There are some highly active posters and some are pretty good bloggers/writers. 

Oct 08, 2008 01:20 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Thanks, Hank.  Dale Baker in New England in one of my favorite Inspector-Rainers.  Tell him Mike in Tucson sent you when you visit his blog.

Mike in Tucson

Oct 08, 2008 01:23 AM
Hank Spinnler
Harmony Home Inspection Services of GA - Hoschton, GA
Atlanta Home Inspector

I'll keep an eye out for him Mr. Mike in Tucson.  Keep on bloggin'.  Our weather's been dry like Tucson.  Ironically, it's raining good here for the first time in about a month. 

Oct 08, 2008 03:24 AM
Erol Kartal
Schaumburg, IL

I do try and schedule inspections while raining. I'm sure it's savd my butt a few times. LOL. Not to mention that sellers rarely disclose (as required by law) if there are any known issues - like leaks.

Nov 04, 2008 06:13 AM
Anonymous
Hank Spinnler

True Erol.  Sellers Disclosures are a joke.  No one seems to be held accountable.  There is so much they don't disclose and so much they are unaware of to begin with.  House have polybutylene?  I don't know.  Last time the septic was pumped?  I don't know.  Age of furnace, hmmm, let me guess - 5 years.  Sorry to inform you but it's actually 15 years old.  Thank goodness for nameplates. LOL

Nov 04, 2008 06:30 AM
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