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Home Inspection Maintenance Tips - High Soil Levels

By
Home Inspector with Selman Home Inspections, Inc. 10299

Home Inspection Maintenance Tips - High Soil Levels

High Soil Level - Home Inspection Maintenance TipsOne of the most common defects we find when performing home inspections is called "high soil" conditions. It is also one of the easiest to correct for many homes.

 

High soil levels are cited as a defect in home inspections when soil, fill material or mulch covers the top 4-6 inches of the foundation perimeter beam. This condition prevents the inspector from observing the foundation in these areas, creates conducive conditions for insects, covers weep holes and may also allow moisture to penetrate the structure between the foundation and first (bottom) row of bricks or siding.

 

In many cases, the soil, fill material or mulch could simply be raked away from the foundation perimeter beam to expose the top 4-6 inches of the foundation. Not only would this create a better home inspection report, but it is an easy way to eliminate the issues mentioned above.

 

In extreme cases of high soil, it may be best to hire a landscape specialist. A landscape specialist has the tools and man-power to correct most high soil conditions easily and at very low cost.

 

Correcting high soil conditions around any home is smart and show that you care about correct home maintenance. If you want to get a cleaner home inspection report, this is one item the homeowner can do to accomplish this goal.

 

Posted by


David Selman
Certified Master Home Inspector
Lic.# 10299
WDI #660910
FHA/HUD # F537 
Septic Cert #113423
Phone: 469-371-3228 
Email: david@SelmanHomeInspections.com

"Accurate Investment Protection You Can Trust"

Websites: 

Dallas Home Inspection

 

Comments (12)

Anthony Daniels
Coldwell Banker - San Francisco, CA
SF Bay Area REO Specialist

Always good home inspection tips on this site.

Thanks for sharing your post and pic.

Feb 01, 2012 02:44 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I am dealing with this now so your post is timely...good read and thank you

Feb 01, 2012 03:04 AM
Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

David -- and here I thought I just had to make sure it sloped away from the house.  lol.  Great post, since it is so easy to just keep adding mulch, etc. to build up the bed.

Feb 01, 2012 07:50 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

David:

A good tip and so easy to do.  I must remember to tell my clients about soil level near the foundation.  Thanks.

Feb 01, 2012 10:40 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

David - this does come up very often.  I didn't know the signficance in conjunction with the ability to see the foundation. 

Feb 01, 2012 01:51 PM
Mike Yeo
3:16 team REALTY - Frisco, TX

David - thanks for the education. That is one thing that can be easily corrected.

Feb 01, 2012 02:08 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

David - I'm guessing in most cases this can be pretty easily addressed.

Feb 01, 2012 02:51 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Great post. So simple, but really important.

Feb 01, 2012 03:33 PM
#8
Anonymous
Ginette Skelton

Good stuff. Apprediate the post.

Feb 01, 2012 03:35 PM
#9
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi David - Soil levels and grading are important for a variety of reasons.  Very interesting post.

Feb 01, 2012 03:48 PM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Great topic! Because of this, I prefer concrete to abut the home, rather that soil. Flower beds can be placed away from the house.

Feb 01, 2012 05:09 PM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Thanks for sharing David, great tips!

Feb 10, 2012 12:33 AM