What does it mean if the inspector flags the grading or drainage?

When we flag grading or drainage, we're telling you the way water moves around your home could be sending it toward the foundation instead of away from it, and water against a foundation is the root cause of a huge share of expensive home problems. Ideally the ground slopes down and away from the house for the first several feet, and gutters with extended downspouts carry roof runoff well clear of the foundation. In Coon Rapids we commonly see negative grading where soil has settled toward the house over the years, downspouts that dump right at the foundation, and window wells without proper drainage. Even on the well-draining Anoka sand plain, concentrated water can saturate the soil against a basement wall, leading to leaks, efflorescence, musty smells, and, over many freeze-thaw cycles, foundation stress. The good news is that grading and downspout fixes are among the cheapest, highest-return repairs in homeownership, often just regrading soil and adding downspout extensions. During the inspection we evaluate the slope, gutters, downspouts, and window wells and tie them to any moisture we find inside. Want to know if water is being managed correctly? Build a free instant quote and we'll assess grading and drainage thoroughly.