6 Signs You Have a Drainage Problem #homeownership #realestate #investment

Source:  HouseLogic, Jeanne Huber

Finding drainage problems when they're smaller and easier to fix can save you thousands of dollars and plenty of headaches down the line.
Many drainage problems aren't so obvious.  Here's how the pros read some of the more subtle signs of bad drainage, and why you'll save big bucks if you tackle these problems now instead of later.

Sign #1:  Gushing Gutters
A mini Niagra over the edge of your gutter means dead leaves and debris are blocking the flow.  But you don't need a live gusher to tell you you've got problems:  Vertical streaks of dirt on the outside of gutters, mud spattered on siding, or paint peeling off the house in vertical strips are other sure signs.  If you don't take action, overflowing gutters can rot siding, ruin paint jobs, and cause structural damage.

Sign #2:  Downspouts That Dump
Each inch of rain that falls on 1,000 square feet of a roof produces more than 600 gallons of runoff -- enough to fill 10 bathtubs to the brim.  Dumping that much water too close to the foundation can send it right into the basement, where it can ruin furnishings, flooring, and all the stuff you swore you'd put on shelves one day.

Sign #3:  Cracks in the Foundation
Foundations often have small cracks that appear as houses settle over time.  Most are harmless, but bigger cracks bear watching.  Keep an eagle eye on cracks larger than 1/8- inch wide by marking the ends with an erasable pencil line.  Measure the width and jot it down.  If you notice the cracks are growing, you've got potential problems.

Sign #4:  Flaking and Deposits on Walls
If you see areas of white or gray crust on the walls, that's efflorescence -- mineral deposits left behind by evaporating water.  Or the wall may be flaking off in big patches, a condition called spalling.

Sign #5:  Mildew in the Attic
Sure, the attic might be a strange place to look for drainage problems, but mildew on the underside of the roof can be a tip-off to serious trouble at the ground level.

Sign #6:  Migrating Mulch
When soil doesn't drain properly, rain runs off in sheets, carving gulleys in the landscape, dumping silt on pathways, and carrying piles of mulch or wood chips where they don't belong.

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