Water is life and all that, but boy, can it wreak some havoc on your home when it gets where it’s not supposed to be.
Whether it’s running through your pipes for drinking, bathing, washing clothes, or it’s coming down from the sky on a rainy day, water has a way of getting where you don’t want it. And when you’re buying a home, your home inspector will find all the little drips and leaks that may be causing damage.
Here are some examples:
Follow the Damage
This video is a perfect example of an inspector getting to the root of the problem by connecting the dots. The roof structure is causing water to pool every time it rains, which is creating water damage to everything below it- which will continue until somebody fixes the roof.
Drain Spout Damage
That is a great big rusty hole. As we (hopefully) come into the rainy season, it’s important to make sure your drain spouts and gutters are in good shape. Clear them of leaves and debris, and check that they are securely fastened to your house. Gutters and drain spouts pulling away during a storm can cause major damage to the structure, as well as flooding.
Leaky Cleanout
This is a plumbing cleanout. You will normally find these outside your kitchen on the wall your sink faces, and it’s a way to easily access the pipes when you have a clogged sink. This one is leaking, which means every time they use the kitchen sink or the dishwasher, the water is running right here. Over time, that could cause foundation damage.
Leaky AC + Electrical Panel
Having your electrical panel on the floor just seems like a bad idea anyway, but right next to the water pan on your AC unit is really just asking for trouble.