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Bellingham WA Home Inspector (King of the House) -- Sloping Lots

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

Here in the Pacific Northwest, especially in wooded areas, it is common to find that the perimeter soil -- call it a hillside -- is sloped toward the home.

When that is the case, if there is a basement or a crawl space, the home inspector will look for signs of past or present water intrusion. However, if the home is on a slab, there is not much to see. As building lots become more scarce, and people are building on lots that they would not have built on fifty years ago, the home inspector sees more and more of this kind of sloped lot. 

Unless obvious signs of problems are apparent, about all the inspector can do is make a few suggestions and tell the potential buyer to keep an eye on the situation. If serious issues are suspected, the inspector will suggest a visit by a soil engineer or a structural engineer. When a house has stood the test of time for many years, and if problems are not noted, the slope is usually less of a concern than it might be on a structure that is newer and, so to speak, "unproven." It has no history so what might happen next is unknown.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

GeoLogo207

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

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Comments (3)

Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Steve, I have a nasty one of those I am taking a break from writing up right now:)

Nov 09, 2009 02:51 AM
Theodora Wu
TJ Investments - Burien, WA

That does seem like a potential problem since water runs down hill.  If the house at the bottom of the hill that is probably not a good thing.

Nov 09, 2009 07:02 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Charlie,

We have so many of those out by Lake Whatcom and in wooded areas.

Nov 09, 2009 01:43 PM