Lot grading is one of the most important parts of the home inspection process. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most commonly missed part. When a house is being built, proper precautions must always be taken. Fixing improper lot grading after the house is built is never easy and could become quite costly. Sometimes, it cannot be fixed. If the grading is done incorrectly, there is a risk of flooding and structural damages. Water is a house’s biggest enemy. A house should be able to resist water from top to bottom and from the sides. Think of how much water a house endures during rainfall.
When roofing is in good condition running water is guided through the gutters and eavestroughs and led to the ground. When lot grading isn’t done properly, all that water attacks the foundation of the house. Although good damp proofing combined with good weeping tile system around the foundation can help, but you can count on them to prevent water from entering in to the house for ever. Water should always be guided away from house foundation simply by the slope of the ground. An experienced home inspector should check the grading from different angles and ensure the wall claddings above the foundation aren’t buried in the soil. New bylaw requires swales between two houses to carry rainwater away. During the exterior home inspection process, the home inspector checks to see if swales are still effective.
JJ Home Inspections
Certified Home Inspector