Tampa Bay Home Inspector Blog

I have inspected several homes this summer which had mild to severe water penetration issues. Typically, mold growth is only around the corner when a water leak exists. Mold growth in the home can easily cause a litany of severe problems from health concerns (asthma, allergies, etc.) to structural damage in the home. However, we will save the mold topic for another ‘post’ … let’s focus on water penetration in the home so you can take some preventative measures to ensuring that you won’t be a victim of a ‘fearsome fungus’.

I have detected water finding its way into homes in many ways. This summer, the more common situations have included the following: 

Mold, Moisture Damage, Water Intrusion

• Improper stucco installation – allowing water to penetrate walls

• Roof leaks from improperly installed flashings and roofing materials
• Saturation of slabs and walls due to improper grading around foundations
• Lack of sealant or old sealant around window and door frames
• Incorrect installation of window frames/flashings
• Plumbing leaks inside of walls, Shower stall leaks, etc.

By scanning your home and these areas mentioned, you may be able to spot obvious defects that could lead to water intrusion into your home. Here’s how…

1. Take a look at the exterior walls of your home, especially if you have a two story home. Look for irregular stains or discoloration of the paint below windows and at locations where the walls join with the floors. These are areas where water will collect and become visibly evident after it has seeped into the wall system.
2. Look for stains on the ceilings of the home. You will be looking for a light brown or very faint discoloration in the ceiling paint and possible some peeling or bubbling of the ceiling texture. Pay special attention around skylights, fireplace chimneys and on the ceilings of room additions – especially when a flat roof has been installed.
3. Take a look in the attic by using a high powered flashlight. You will be looking for dark stains on the roof deck where plumbing vents penetrate the roof. Also, look towards the eaves of the home (especially if the home has gutters installed). Gutters often overflow and cause damage in the roof.
4. Look for discoloration of paint around interior window frames and sills. Take a quick scan of the baseboards and see if there is discoloration of the paint or wood. If you see a stained area along the baseboards, lift the carpeting in this area and look for stained wood on the carpet tack strips. Also, look to see if the tack strip nails are badly rusted.
5. Stand 15-20 feet away from each corner of your home while looking down the sides of the home. You will be looking to see if the soil is sloping away from the home. In many cases I have seen flowerbeds, shrubs, trees and planter boxes that create a negative grade along the foundation of the home. This will prevent water from easily flowing away from the home and will allow moisture to wick into the concrete slab and even into the block walls.
6. Check your shower areas for loose tiles and gaps in the following areas: tile grout, around faucet handles, at the tub/wall joint, around window frames in shower areas and around the shower door frames. In each of these areas, the smallest gaps will allow a water to constantly invade areas where it shouldn’t be. Keep all of these areas caulked and sealed and check them all once a year.

If you have comments, questions or concerns about moisture or mold in your home, we would like to read about it on this blog or feel free to give me a call. 

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