Gutters are always a big fighting point between me and my sellers when it comes time to list their home. Many sellers would like to skip this maintenance issue when they list their home becasue it just seems like a waste of money to them, but it is SO important and never more so than this time of year and in Seattle!
When it is not raining or has not rained for a long time, it can be difficult to have much to say about whether the gutters leak or not.
It can become pretty obvious when it is actually raining. (Believe it or not it does not rain ALL the time in Seattle.)
When inspecting a home, inspectors will check the gutters even when it is not raining in an attempt to find evidence of "past leaking." Because gutters so often leak at corners, any signs of leaking at these areas will typically get noted in the report as showing signs of "past leaking." Also, steel gutters can actually rust through and leaks can develop almost anywhere.
As you can see in the following picture the Shadow can see a rust stain on the deck---indicative of a leak at the gutter above. In this case there is a small hole in the gutter and there is actually still water dripping out of the rusted hole. An important part of inspecting the gutters is inspecting the ground under the gutters. On a day after a long dry spell about all the inspector might see is the rust stain on the deck and rust on the gutter.
Whether these leaks are active or not during the time of the inspection is really not material because the end result is the same---repairs and/or replacement is necessary. Let the arm wrestling begin.
Stains on soffits and fascia in these areas will likewise be reported on as evidence of past leaks and---if possible---they will be checked with a moisture meter to perhaps add some clarification as to how recent the stains had been wet---or perhaps discover that they are still wet.
The connection seams of gutters do not stay sealed forever, and periodically they need to be resealed.
Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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Courtney Cooper
Seattle Realtor, Owner/Designated Broker/EcoBroker
Cooper Jacobs Real Estate
206-850-8841
(Seattle real estate - search all MLS listings from all companies for FREE), SeattleAfloat.com (Seattle Houseboats), GreenLakeLoop.com (Green Lake Blog), QueenAnneBoulevard.com (Queen Anne Blog), MagnoliaView.com (Magnolia Neighborhood Blog)
About Me:
Seattle real estate has been a big part of my life for well over a decade since I began my career in real estate,but also before that time when I was in the process of purchasing my own first home. Buying your first home can be quite overwhelming,but I have managed to help many first time home buyers along the way.
Move up Seattle buyers and other types of specialized purchasing is a great passion of mine! I love Seattle houseboats and you can find me down on the docks of Lake Union and Portage Bay several times a week. Other aspects of Seattle real estate that I adore include Queen Anne Real Estate,Wallingford Real Estate, Ballard Real Estate, Green Lake Real Estate, Laurelhurst Real Estate, Magnolia Real Estate,andSeattle Waterfront Real Estate.
In addition to being a Seattle residential broker and founder of Cooper Jacobs & Seattle Afloat, I am also a member of CBA (Commercial Brokers Association) and head of the Cooper Jacobs Commercial Division in an effort to provide excellent commercial real estate services to the Seattle commercial real estate industry. With a background in accounting and management, it is my great pleasure to coordinate our Seattle commercial brokers.
About Cooper Jacobs Real Estate's Seattle Branch:
My office at Cooper Jacobs Real Estate LLC is located centrally near all my favorite Puget Sound neighborhoods just a few blocks up from Lake Union in Seattle’s Wallingford. Cooper Jacobs Real Estate is a wonderful place filled with talented Seattle real estate brokers and I count myself extremely lucky that I get to spend so much time with these wonderful people. We specialize in different Seattle neighborhoods and suburbs in both residential and commercial real estate and are all very passionate and excited about each of our favorite Seattle neighborhoods and industries!
©Courtney Cooper ©Cooper Jacobs Real Estate LLC
Courtney, thanks :)