If you live in Prairieville, Gonzales, or Baton Rouge, you know how quickly an afternoon rain can fill a yard. Once the weather clears, a walk around your house can tell you a lot about how well the property handles water. Puddles against the foundation, overflowing gutters, and flower beds that hold water beside the house are all worth a closer look.
Start with your gutters and downspouts. Water coming off the roof should drain away from the house instead of collecting at its base. Leaves and debris can cause gutters to overflow, while a downspout that empties directly beside the foundation can keep that area wet. Look for washed-out mulch, soil erosion, or places where water collects repeatedly after a storm.
For homes with a raised foundation, pay attention to moisture underneath the house, too. Standing water, damp soil, and wet wood in a crawlspace deserve attention. Louisiana humidity already makes it harder for these areas to dry out. A musty smell or changes in wood flooring can be reasons to have the area evaluated, even when everything looks fine outside.
Whether you’re buying a home in Ascension Parish or maintaining one in the Baton Rouge area, drainage is worth paying attention to before it turns into a bigger repair. At Whit Green Home Inspections, we look for visible drainage concerns and signs of moisture so you can better understand the condition of the home. The next time a Louisiana storm rolls through, take a few minutes afterward to see where the water went.