How to Prevent Water Intrusion in Your Home

August 30, 2013

When showing homes there are many things that Real Estate Professionals and potential homeowners will want to look out for, one major item to keep in mind are signs of water intrusion. When there is dampness on the basement walls and/or floors, a wet and musty smell, or water-marks in the ceiling, these may be signs that there has been water in the home, whether it has been recent or in the past. Of course, there are many different ways to prevent this sort of intrusion from happening in your home.

First, check to make sure there are gutters around the exterior of the property, if they are not currently there, they should be and may be something to discuss with your Realtor if this is the home you want to purchase. Gutters are a key component in water intrusion prevention, they should be properly installed and come out at least 6 feet from the foundation of your home. This will lead the water to run away from your home. When gutters are leading water any closer then 6 feet away, it may not prevent the water from running back to the home’s foundation and potentially cause water intrusion. If this is not corrected, it could eventually cause foundation problems in the future. Needless to say, gutters are a much needed component when it comes to the prevention of water intrusion.

The second key component in water prevention is properly landscaping and grading the dirt/land away from your house. Site grading is one of the easiest and cost effective solutions to properly drain water away from your home. Bringing the dirt to slope away at least 6ft, at a 1 inch slant down for every foot, so that the water drains away from the house is how you’ll want it done. You may hire a professional Contractor/Landscaper to do the grading or doing it yourself is also an option.

Keeping these home maintenance tips in mind will be a great benefit to you in preventing water from entering your home. As you may have gathered, water damage can sometimes make or break a sale.

If you have any further questions on water intrusion prevention, the process of buying a new home, or selling a home, please contact me today. I am a licensed Real Estate Professional in the Twin Cities Metro and Greater Minnesota Areas and strive to provide the best real estate service, with the support of my team the Better Living Group, for all of my past, present and future clients.

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Chelsea Knutson

Realtor- GRI, ABR, CDPE

763-496-2903

the Better Living Group

Keller Williams Classic Realty NW