Real Estate Blog - Bellingham WA Home Inspection (King of the House) -- Neglected Simple Home Maintenance

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Bellingham WA Home Inspection (King of the House) -- Neglected Simple Home Maintenance

Simple matters of homeowner maintenance are often neglected. One of the most common examples of that would have to be failure on the part of the homeowner to clean the gutters. Sometimes that also involves cleaning the downspouts.

The gutter above is not an uncommon sight. It has organic debris, leaves inside of it, and it is full of standing water. Honestly, I see this a lot in Whatcom County and Bellingham. I would say that on more than 50% of my inspections -- including new construction -- I find gutters full of debris. Sometimes the blockages are so extreme that the rainwater is running over the top of the gutter and down beside the home. Other times the gutter is working but the downspouts empty next to the foundation with no means to route the water away from the home. Obviously, cleaning gutters can be risky at some homes and that might require hiring someone who can get up high and safely do the job. At other homes it is as simple as getting on a stepladder. Either way, a homeowner should not neglect this important home maintenance chore.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector on 01/20/2009 10:12 AM

Comments (11)

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Originally posted at: Steven L. Smith's Blog: Bellingham WA Home Inspection (King of the House) -- Neglected Simple Home Maintenance

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11 Comments on Bellingham WA Home Inspection (King of the House) -- Neglected Simple Home Maintenance

JAN

2009

This is so true. Our client had a inspection on a home that was 4 years old. Upon the inspection we learned that there was roffing material in most of the gutters from the new constructiona dn that it had been that way for 4 years!

Hey, Steven. Thanks for the reminder. We all need to keep and eye on those. Take Care, Jim

Especially in areas with freezing weather! Most water problems I have seen over the years could be traced back to the gutters and rain water not properly being routed away from the house.

It is true that, very often, water problems around a home are tied to gutter issues. And new houses are famous for debris, nails and pop cans and crud in gutters.

Steve, what I want to know is what you were doing on my roof?

This is a continual maintenance issue if one lives around a lot of trees. If too many leaves and pine straw accumulate, they can clog up the vertical downspouts at their elbows.

I believe we have a few clogged ones! Probably several. This would be a Nutsy job if he desired. He could scratch all that stuff out in minutes. If you could find him.

Jack,

Barbara is close. I was up on the roof trying to find Nutsy.

Wow, the last time I checked my gutter because the rainwater was overflowing, it turned out that a duck had laid two eggs on my roof and they rolled into the gutter and blocked the downspout. Why the duck chose to lay her eggs here, I have NO idea.

Sean Allen

Since we don't get much rain here, I want the rain water for my gardens, so I switched a few years ago to the Rain Handler. After great success with it, many of my family and friends have also switched. Makes "gutter" maintenance more hassle free.

JAN

2009

I have "gutter guards" on my gutters that were there when I bought the house. They succeed in trapping the debris on top of them and clogging. Still have to get up there and clean them out. Is that Nutsy I see laughing at me from the oak tree over yonder?

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

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