How often should you inspect your foundation and drainage?

Skipping it eventually leads to water damage or an expensive repair.

Staying on schedule matters beyond the repair bill: a consistent maintenance record is one of the factors in a home's Roots Home Health Score, and well-kept homes typically sell faster and closer to asking price.

How to do it

Water is the foundation's enemy, and most foundation trouble starts with drainage that sends rain toward the house instead of away. A regular look catches cracks and grading problems while they're cheap to fix.

1. Walk the perimeter and look for cracks in the foundation; note any wider than a quarter inch or that step diagonally.
2. Check that the soil slopes away from the house and that downspouts carry water several feet out.
3. Look for pooling water, damp basement walls, or efflorescence (white mineral crust) inside.
4. Track any crack you find with a dated photo to see if it's growing.

Alternatives & optional extras

• Regrading soil to slope away and extending downspouts fixes the majority of minor foundation moisture.
• Horizontal or stair-step cracks that widen, or a bowing wall, are structural; get an engineer, not a handyman.

Time: 30 minutes · Typical cost: Free to inspect

If you skip it

Poor drainage drives water against the foundation, and unaddressed it leads to cracks, leaks, and settlement, the most expensive repairs a house can face.

Related systems to keep on schedule

• Roof — start with: inspect roof for damage, once a year, ideally in May
• Gutters & downspouts — start with: clean gutters and downspouts, every 6 months
• Chimney / fireplace — start with: schedule chimney sweep and inspection, once a year, ideally in September
• Garage door — start with: test garage door auto-reverse and safety eyes, every 6 months