Most people, when they think about a perfect home inspection day, think about a crystal-clear day with plenty of sunlight and dry conditions. This makes perfect sense because most people aren’t thinking about rain. But here’s the reality, rainy days are some of the best days to perform a home inspection on.
Rain can reveal roof leaks in real time.
One of the major things on top of buyer’s minds is the condition of the roof. This is for good reason. Roof replacements are expensive. The roofing inspection is a major piece of the home inspection. If it’s a dry day the NJ home inspector can certainly inspect for signs of past or present water infiltration. They can also inspect for water damage in the attic space. On rainy days the house can tell more of the story. Sometimes during rainy weather, we can see active water infiltration or wet areas in the attic space. We can also typically see water penetrating around the chimney which is a vulnerable area of water infiltration. We would also be able to see possibly leakage around the skylights. If it is a dry day these water infiltration issues are not likely to be present. When it’s actively raining roof issues can become more apparent and easier to find.
Rain can also help the home inspector pinpoint problems with gutters or downspouts
Rain on inspection day can also help us evaluate how well the home handles runoff water. During wet weather we get an opportunity to observe the gutters and downspouts as their piping water away from home. As NJ home inspectors we can determine if they are clear and free-flowing and or the also directing water away from the foundation walls as they should. Some common issues that present typically on rainy day inspections are overflowing gutters due to obstruction, downspouts that discharge water to close to the exterior walls of the home creating opportunities for seepage. Leaking present at the joints and end caps of the gutters. Also sagging or improperly pitched gutters that typically lead to gutter overflow problems. Proper water management around the home is crucial to help control or to lessen the possibility of water entering the basement, crawlspace or lower-level due to water collecting too close to the home. This is a major issue that we find on most home inspections. When it is raining these issues are brought to light more readily and easily than if it clear weather on home inspection day.
Rain can also help us determine if basements or crawlspaces leak
Water intrusion in the basement can also be front and center on a homebuyer’s mind. Heavy rain can help a home inspector identify areas of water intrusion concern in the basement or the crawlspace. Water infiltration issues often become more apparent during periods of rain. Rain on inspection day can help us identify active seepage or water entry. As New Jersey home inspectors we can all tell stories about how we inspected a home in the wet weather and then we viewed active water infiltration in the basement or the crawlspace. If it has been raining for several days before the home inspection this is even more advantageous because it allows us to view the home after a period of very heavy rain.
Rain also allows us to inspect for water entry around windows and doors
Heavy rain is ideal for allowing home inspectors to check for leaks around windows and doors. This is especially true if it is driving wind driven rain. During the inspection day however, if it is raining this provides even more of the ability to inspect for water penetration problems.
When it is raining it also makes it easier to test the sump pump for proper operation
Many homes in New Jersey with basements have sump pumps. The purpose of the sump pump is to keep water out during periods of rain. Now it is true that a home inspector most likely would be able to test the sump pump for operation on a dry day. However, on a wet soaking day its operation can be seen in real time. The NJ home inspector would be able to see if water is being funneled properly to the pump from the basement drain system. This allows for a more thorough inspection of the pump and system then would otherwise be able to take place on a dry day
Rain makes inspecting around roof penetrations easier
A roof penetration is anything that penetrates the roof surface and exits up through the roof. Examples of roof penetrations that are to be inspected are plumbing stack vents, bathroom and exhaust vents, and chimneys. Inspecting these roof penetrations during a rainstorm makes it significantly easier to locate water entry problems around. Sometimes actual water leakage will be visible during periods of rain during the home inspection.
For homebuyers, rain on the day of the inspection can be a blessing. If issues are discovered such as roof leaks, water control problems, or basement water entry. These can possibly be negotiation points. Maybe the seller will agree to repair the roof issue or install better drainage in the basement. It is possible that maybe the buyer also gives a price reduction or credit for these issues. Either way understanding what you are dealing with is a great advantage. And rain on inspection day can provide you that edge.
But what if it’s not raining?
If it’s not raining, there is no need to worry. Home inspections on dry days are still incredibly valuable. Experienced home inspectors know the signs of water penetration such as water stains, musty odors, and patterns of deterioration that can point to water infiltration problems.
However, if you do happen to have a rainy inspection day this is your chance to embrace that. It might not be as comfortable as doing a home inspection in beautiful weather but the insights that you possibly gain are more than worth it.
At first assessment rain on inspection day may seem like a problem. But for home inspectors and well-informed buyers it is an excellent opportunity to see how the home performs in inclement weather. You get an opportunity to see the home under weather pressure, which can be very valuable. A dry day may show you how beautiful the house looks, but a rainy day can show you how well the house is working. Having a home inspection on a wet weather day is getting the most comprehensive and honest inspection of the home that you could get.
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