It's 12:45 and Where is Your Downspout

When a Home Inspector writes a report or takes notes for a report he usually begins the same way each time. I know I do. I start outside with the roof and work my way down and around the house. Taking everything in stride no matter what you may find. Oh, you might look at something and shake your head, snap a couple extra photos, and even write a cute (using the term loosely) little anecdote in the margins. But all in all home inspectors that have been doing it for a while take most things in stride.

When one downspout is missing, you report it and go on to the next item. In the picture to the left there are 2 downspouts missing within 6' of each other. Okay, maybe that isn't unusual enough to raise an eyebrow, or maybe just one eyebrow. I noted these on the report an went on around the house to the right.

As I proceeded around the front I noted the other side had been taken off too. Then (in the photo to the left) I saw the fourth incident of the same thing. All of the downspouts were missing so far and I only needed one more to make it unanimous. As I rounded the back corner there it was 5 of a kind. Someone needs a little downspout and gutter work.

Jack Gilleland