Does anyone give recommendations on what lot grading and drainage should be surrounding the home? Like for example:
“Lot grading and drainage have a significant impact on the building, simply because of the direct and indirect damage that moisture can have on the foundation. It is very important, therefore, that surface runoff water be adequately diverted away from the home. Lot grading should slope away and fall a minimum of one (1) inch every foot for a distance of six (6) feet around the perimeter of the building.”
If it is a concern yes ,
Example end of a cul-de-sac driveway runs down to home .
I saw one that completely destroyed the home .
Bad designed for sure.
The grading and drainage around the perimeter of the dwelling should be monitored and re-graded as necessary (proper drainage could not be confirmed during our visual inspection). The grade should be maintained so that the water flows away from the foundation at all times.
This is a section heading that goes in all my reports. If I specifically see grading issues, I call them out and refer the client to a grading specialist or landscaper.
"Water can be destructive and foster conditions that are deleterious to health. For this reason, the ideal property will have soils that slope away from the residence a minimum of 6 inches within the first 10 feet and the interior floors will be several inches higher than the exterior grade. Also, the residence will have roof gutters and downspouts that discharge into area drains with catch basins that carry water away to hard surfaces. (However, we do not inspect and cannot guarantee the condition of any underground drainage system.) If a property does not meet this ideal, or if any portion of the interior floor is below the exterior grade, we cannot endorse it and recommend that you consult with a grading and drainage contractor, even though there may not be any evidence of moisture intrusion. The sellers or occupants will obviously have a more intimate knowledge of the site than we could possible hope to have during our limited visit, however we have confirmed moisture intrusion in residences when it was raining that would not have been apparent otherwise. Also, in conjunction with the cellulose material found in most modern homes, moisture can facilitate the growth of biological organisms that can compromise building materials and produce mold-like substances that can have an adverse affect on health. For the above reasons, we recommend that you view the property during a period of prolonged or heavy rain prior to close of escrow.
Moisture intrusion is a perennial problem with which you should be aware. It involves a host of interrelated factors, and can be unpredictable, intermittent, or constant. When moisture intrusion is not self evident, it can be inferred by musty odors, peeling paint or plaster, efflorescence, or salt crystal formations, rust on metal components, and wood rot. However, condensation and humidity can produce similar conditions if the temperature in an area is not maintained above the dew point. Regardless, if the interior floors of a residence are at the same elevation or lower than the exterior grade we could not rule out the potential for moisture intrusion and would not endorse any such areas. Nevertheless, if such conditions do exist, or if you or any member of your family suffers from allergies or asthma, you should schedule a specialist inspection."