Buying a home is a serious financial commitment. Having a professional home inspection performed before closing will help you determine whether or not the property you are considering is a sound investment. Regardless of how closely you examine a house during your viewings, it’s difficult to spot all the potential problems it could have on your own. One of the biggest red flags inspectors commonly reveal is negative grading, which could result in costly water control issues.

A Homebuyer’s Guide to Grading

How Does Negative Grading Affect a Home? 

Grading refers to the slope of the ground around a home. How a property is graded will impact which way storm water flows (either towards the home or away).

Negative grading means the ground slopes towards the home and water will drain towards the foundation of the home. This can cause pooling near the house and water seepage either through the foundation or concrete floor of the home, which can lead to water damage inside.

Poor drainage often causes flooding within the basement or crawlspace, resulting in costly damage to the inside, structure’s integrity being compromised, and/or an environment ideal for mold to grow.

Why Are Home Inspections Important for Detecting Grading Issues?

Negative grading can be challenging to notice without the eye of a trained inspector. They’ll not only look for pooling water but, based on experience, also areas around the home where landscaping or settling has resulted in a negative grade. Even subtler signs from inside the home may include; water stains on foundation walls and behind baseboards, windows and doors that no longer fit due to foundation movement, and uneven or shifting floors. 

Cost to change the grading around a home can range from a minor expense to a very costly fix. At times, it may be necessary to obtain input from a professional landscaper or basement repair company. Based on the buyer’s financial position and overall budget for buying the home, negotiations with the seller might be necessary to have the repairs completed ahead of closing. Information contained in the home inspection report can be used to determine whether the home you are about to purchase is susceptible to grading issues.

Once you reach the home inspection stage of the buying process, reach out to Zeller Home Inspections, a division of Z&H Enterprises. Backed by decades of experience, they’ve helped countless clients in Lincoln, NE, and the surrounding areas close real estate deals with confidence. They’re proud to offer honest pricing and thorough reports so you can make the most informed decisions possible. Call (402) 742-5806 to schedule service or visit them online to see what their inspections include.