The Week In Review: April 28, 2026

Water Waits For No One

Having attended hundreds of home inspections over the years, I can tell you this with certainty: the issues that derail deals are almost always about water.

Sure, there are electrical quirks, aging HVAC systems, and appliances on their last legs. Those matter. But they rarely kill a transaction. Water does.

It’s the quiet force behind the most expensive problems and the most difficult negotiations.

So, a simple framework for every homeowner, especially in our market:

Control the water, protect the value.

GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS: These exist for one reason - move water away from your home. When they’re clogged, bent, or disconnected, water ends up exactly where you don’t want it, pooling at the foundation or backing into the walls. Think damp basements and soggy drywall and framing.

CHIMNEY: Even if you never light a fire, your chimney is exposed on all sides.

Once the crown or mortar begins to fail, water finds its way in. Freeze-thaw cycles accelerate the damage, and what starts at the top can work its way down into the flue, firebox, and surrounding interior finishes.

ROOF AND FLASHING: A lifted shingle or missing slate is an open invitation.

Flashing around penetrations like flues and vents is just as critical. Small failures here can lead to disproportionately large damage. A good roofer, and regular inspections, are essential.

TOILETS, WATER HEATER, WASHING MACHINE: These appliances handle a LOT of water. When they fail, they fail quickly. Toilets alone are the leading cause of residential water damage, averaging roughly $5,500 per incident. Think about flooring, subflooring, and ceilings below. Install water sensors with an alarm or water shut off function. They are a simple, inexpensive safeguard.

EXTERIOR TRIM: Deferred maintenance becomes visible and expensive. While even high end newer homes often use composite materials, much of our housing stock still relies on natural wood. Without consistent painting and sealing, water intrusion leads to rot of window sills, casings and eaves. Even a conscientious home owner may miss seeing it on upper levels. But in an inspection report, wood rot is a huge red flag - expensive to repair, and even more expensive when it causes a buyer to walk on the deal.

There is nothing glamorous about any of this. But if you are thinking about protecting your home, or selling it ever, this is where value is preserved, or quickly lost.