ARTICLE INDEX
The Benefits Of Using Just One Agent
Don't Forget To Prepare For Your Move
How Rising Interest Rates Could Affect The Local Real Estate Market
Important Terms Concerning Representation
Understanding Key Elements of Buyer Representation
Understanding Key Elements of the Sales Contract
Understanding Key Elements of Seller Representation
Understanding Maryland's Required Agency Disclosure
What Questions Should You Ask An Agent?
What's More Important - The Price My House Sells For Or My Sellers Net?
Direct
Line 410-207-4751 Office 410-583-5700
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Water In The Basement
When buyers consider a house for purchase, one of the
important "must haves" is a dry basement. Often, buyers are turned off by a damp smell; black mildew stains
on the foundation walls, water stains or the presence of water. It's no wonder. Damp basements can be expensive to correct. The grapevine is full of horror stories,
and some waterproofing companies get rich performing needless modifications
for naive homeowners.
In my experience, the
vast majority of basement water problems can be corrected inexpensively
by the homeowner. Water usually
gets inside because of something on the outside.
The usual suspects are:
- Downspouts discharge
rainwater next to the foundation. The
remedy for this is to attach a downspout extension to the bottom of the
downspout so water is discharged four or more feet from the foundation.
- The soil next to the
foundation is too porous, or is sloped so water runs towards the foundation. The remedy is to replace about 6 inches of
the porous soil with clay-rich dirt, and add more such dirt in a sloping
fashion so water runs away from the house.
by John R. Berry, PE
Home Inspector
Boswell Building Surveys
Baltimore, MD
410-243-0300
© Copyright 2001
HOME INSPECTION ARTICLES
How Important Is A Roof Inspection?
Understanding Maryland's Property Disclosure Law
Why Buyers Should Have A Home Inspection
Doug
Barry
LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE, INC.
Direct
410-207-4751
Office 410-583-5700
Doug@RealtyComplete.com