Crawlspace, Basement & Water Articles
Articles on Crawlspace, Basement & Water from Russ Motyko, a Certified Master Inspector with 3,000+ inspections in Oregon and Washington.
Where the Water Goes: Downspout Drain Lines, Old Storm Drains, Dry Wells and Yard Drains
Downspouts in older Portland-area homes often run into buried drain lines nobody can see. What Russ finds at the top of those pipes, and who checks the rest.
Foundation Vents: Open, Closed, Blocked, Buried or Missing Their Screens
Foundation vents let damp crawlspace air out and keep animals out. Closed vents, torn screens, vents below grade...
The Crawlspace Vapor Barrier: Displaced, Missing, Stained or Brand New
The plastic on the crawlspace floor keeps ground moisture out of the house. Displaced, missing and stained vapor...
Crawlspace Floor Insulation: Missing, Fallen, Torn or Installed Backwards
Russ found floor insulation missing, fallen, rodent-torn or installed paper-side down at 50 houses. What each means for...
Wood Scraps and Construction Debris in the Crawlspace, and Why They Draw Termites and Ants
Russ found wood scraps or construction debris in the crawlspace at 69 houses. Why cellulose debris attracts pests...
Crawlspace Access Hatches: Missing Weatherstripping, No Handle and Blocked Openings
Crawlspace hatches with no weatherstripping, no handle or a blocked opening came up at 38 of Russ's inspections....
Home Inspections in the Rain and Cold: What Portland’s Wet Season Shows and Hides
Is it OK to have a home inspection in the rain? What Portland's wet season shows, what it...
Leaking Basements in Portland: What Buyers Need to Understand
Portland's clay soils, wet winters, and aging drainage systems make basement water intrusion one of the most common...
Structural Support Posts in Basements: What Inspectors Look For and Why It Matters
Support posts in a basement do the heavy lifting that keeps your floors level and your beams supported.
Egress Windows in Portland Basements: What They Are and When You Need One
Your report flagged egress in the basement. Here is what an egress window is, what code requires, and...