Water damage is a serious issue. If the grading isn’t done correctly or has changed over time, an experievced home inspector should notice and call out the areas of concern. As it can occur anywhere on or around the house, it’s important to have a quality and thorough inspection completed prior to the closing of the house. If significant repairs are needed, it would show up in the report and could be negotiated in the closing.
Water damage can come from almost anywhere, but is most common when we see roofing problems, plumbing leaks, or poor exterior drainage leading to intrusion.
Water can cause structural integrity issues in foundations, it can cause wood rot, mold growth, or it can create an environment that allows termites to thrive.
If moisture, standing water, or dripping is seen in the crawlspace, it would be recommended that a professional who specializes in restoring and remediating water damage come out to assess and remedy the issues and their causes, or simply quote the cost of the repair work.
We’ve seen water issues become major and costly issues in short periods of time. We’ve seen signs of water leaks and water intrusion that have led to thousands of dollars in repairs. Some of the signs are almost unnoticeable, but an qualified home inspector is trained to notice these things, and through years of experience, they’re often able to make suggestions that could save thousands in both the immediate and not-so-distant future.