House exterior

Before entering any living space, do a quick walkthrough of the exterior. Here are some items
to look out for.

• 

  Roof Leakages

  According to industry experts, the no. 1 culprit to slip through a home inspection is a roof leak. Check for missing or curling of shingles. This is a sign of potential water penetration into the home.

• 

  Incorrect grading

  The grading should be sloping away from the house and ideally we should see 6-8 inches of concrete foundation. This ensures adequate drainage and prevents water from flooding into the house foundation.

  Additionally, all gutters and drainage spouts should be pointed away from the home using extensions. Another alternative is to have downspouts discharging directly into a drain.

Visible cracks or recent patched spots on foundation

Look for any attempts to cover up or hide any foundation cracks. These repairs can be expensive and easily allow water into the house.

Large hanging trees in close proximity

Trees around houses also have roots the same size under the earth. This increases the possibility of damaging drain pipes causing a back up of the underground sewer drain.

The repairs of these damaged pipes are known to be very expensive.

Damage to Siding, Trim, Gutters and Paint

Do a quick inspection of the exterior siding and paint and check for any peeling, bubbling or dislodging. This could indicate water damage beneath.