When we buy and sell for our clients we are privy to lots of different information from inspection reports.

One of the most common issues that have come up over the past few years are drainage and cracked foundations. Why should you care about drainage here in Southern California,  aren’t we are experiencing the worst drought in years?  Well, you should care, and here’s why…

While most homes here do not have gutters, many have cracks in their foundation that are a result of not having gutters.  “Huh?  How does one have to do with the other?” you may ask.  Here is my simplified explanation:

Gutters or Eavestroughs (as we Canadians call them), are installed just along the edge of your home’s roofline and are designed to collect water that comes off of your roof. The water is directed to a downspout which (if installed correctly) is supposed to send the water AWAY from your home and towards a drain that empties in the city’s storm drain, or down a gutter or alley that directs the water to the street.  When you don’t have gutters the water sheets down the exterior walls of your home and soaks the dirt surrounding your foundation.  When this dirt gets wet, it softens and the concrete foundation begins to sink in those areas, causing the concrete to crack.  Once the cracking has a chance to progress, it can begin to affect the slope of your floors and crack your walls.  Also, cracks in your foundation, if left to become large, can affect the stability of your home.

The easiest way to prevent this damage to your home is to install gutters and downspouts.  You should also have a drainage expert design a plan to direct water away from your home.  If you have just had your foundation repaired, be sure to add rain gutters to prevent the problem from recurring.  Oh, and don’t forget to get your gutters cleaned out twice a year, especially it you have trees near your home.  If the gutters are clogged, they will overflow and defeat the purpose of having gutters in the first place.  If you have questions about any of this, feel free to contact me at 310-963-7384.  While I am not a drainage expert, I can certainly direct you to the service provider that can best assist you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Revi Mendelsohn  [email protected]