Grading

No discussion of your home is complete without discussing the exterior grounds, grading and drainage, and vegetation. Even those with a “brown thumb” want plants for their homes, typically buying artificial plants for inside and hiring professional gardeners and landscapers for outside.

Problems with grading and drainage cannot be adequately determined during dry weather, so the first time it rains, you should get the umbrella out and walk around the property to see where the water is going. Before you even do that, though, make sure that your home has gutters and downspouts installed to direct rainwater away from the foundation. That, more than anything else, will help prevent foundation damage, as well as cracks in walls and ceilings. If water is standing in any area of the property or is running off the property too quickly, causing erosion, consult with a qualified landscaping professional to correct those problems. Standing water contributes to mosquito breeding, and mosquitoes bring the West Nile Virus.

If you have any questions about appropriate grading for our Atlanta climate, simply contact me.

                 Thank you for using The Upscale Home Inspections Service.

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