Rain, Rain, Go Away

Have you had enough rain yet? It’s been so wet I can’t even find a dry enough day to mow my lawn! Of course no one wants a drought, but too much moisture brings on problems of its own.

I have been in a number of homes recently with wet basements. This always happens more when we have a lot of rain. This is actually a good thing, since buyers are more likely to see if there are water issues in a home and make a more informed decision.

Many times a wet basement is the result of a plugged drain outside a walk-up basement, or the failure of a sump pump. In other cases it may be the result of improper grading around the house, causing water to pool at the foundation which is then forced into the house. These are all fixable problems.

The important thing is to know the source of the water in the basement before buying – or putting your home on the market to sell! If you have water in your house, I recommend you consult a qualified home inspector or landscaper to address drainage. There are companies that specialize in installing elaborate drainage systems in basements, but my view is that these are overkill and rarely justified.

Let’s talk about mold. If there is a persistent moisture problem you may find there’s a mold problem. Some of my buyers want a special inspection for mold, but the experts I’ve talked to say unless you see the mold, you don’t have it. The sure signs are water stains along the lower part of basement walls and black splotches. You may also smell mildew. If you have mold you need professional treatment, and it can be expensive. But it’s a health problem and must be dealt with.

Hopefully we’ll start having more dry days than wet and we can enjoy our nice, warm, sunny Virginia summer.

Written by Craig Lilly as found in Craig Lilly’s Newsletter.

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