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Grade & Grade Drainage

By
Home Inspector with Morrison Home Inspections, Inc.

In the home inspection service industry, this deficiency is found and reported more frequently than all others. Hence, this article is long overdue.   I think the reason it is not given much attention and overlooked in California is our extremely dry climate. In fact, it has been several months since the last time we've had rain.  Because of this when it does rain, homes with inadequate grade can be predisposed to significant water damage and flooding.  The 2006 International Building Code was adopted by California and took effect January 1, 2008.  The grading rules are now in the mandatory code, not in the optional appendix; the minimum slope is now 5%; and optional methods and swales are now recognized.   When inspecting a home's grade, I look to see if the ground (whatever material it may be) slopes down and away, a minimum of 6 feet.  The illustration shows how to measure the grade; however a home inspection is merely a visual without the use of measuring tools.    If you have any questions regarding grade, my email address is duane@morrisoninspects.com.  Article written by Duane Morrison, Principle Inspector at Morrison Home Inspections.

 

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