[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-exterior-systems-drainage-siding-and-what-can-let-water-in\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-exterior-systems-drainage-siding-and-what-can-let-water-in\/","headline":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Exterior Systems \u2014 Drainage, Siding, and What Can Let Water In","name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Exterior Systems \u2014 Drainage, Siding, and What Can Let Water In","description":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Exterior Systems \u2014 Drainage, Siding, and What Can Let Water In The reason I spend extra time walking the outside of the home isn\u2019t to admire the curb appeal. It\u2019s to figure out how water is\u2014or isn\u2019t\u2014getting away from the structure. Most buyers see fresh paint and new mulch. I see moisture traps, compromised siding, and slopes that tilt the wrong way. Where I Walk, I\u2019m Looking for Water I start with drainage. Is the ground sloped away from the house? Are gutters extended far enough from the foundation? Is there standing water or evidence of erosion? Water is the number one enemy of every home\u2014outside and in. So that\u2019s my starting point. From there, I evaluate siding: is it soft, delaminating, cracking, or pulling away? Are there gaps around hose bibs, cable entries, or vents? Does vegetation touch or grow too close to the walls? That\u2019s not just messy\u2014it\u2019s a moisture invitation. What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: poor grading, siding damage, missing or failed caulking, vegetation contact, deteriorated windows or trim, and compromised penetrations. \u274c I\u2019m not looking for: cosmetic paint quality, landscaping trends, or fence style preferences. This isn\u2019t an HGTV critique\u2014it\u2019s a water intrusion check. I also look at hardscapes\u2014like driveways, walkways, patios, and retaining walls. Are they cracking, sloping back toward the house, or breaking apart due to tree roots or age? That matters. A cracked driveway may not seem urgent, but if it\u2019s redirecting water toward your crawlspace, you\u2019ll care a lot more in February. Doors, Windows, and Trim: Where Water Slips In Exterior doors and windows are constant battlegrounds. I\u2019m looking at weatherstripping, trim rot, soft thresholds, failed caulk lines, and gaps. Once again\u2014it\u2019s all about water. And sometimes, bugs. These small details are where big repairs start. Same goes for fences and gates. If they\u2019re falling apart, leaning, or unsecured, it might not affect the house\u2019s structure\u2014but it says something about maintenance overall. The exterior tells a story. You just have to look past the fresh mulch and door wreath. FAQs: What to Expect From the Exterior Inspection Do you evaluate landscaping or yard layout? Only as it relates to drainage, slope, and potential structural impact. I don\u2019t assess plant types, aesthetics, or HOA compliance\u2014but I do care if that nice flowerbed is holding water against your foundation. Will you note cosmetic paint flaws or siding color issues? No. I\u2019m looking for damage, not design. Paint quality only matters to me if it\u2019s failing in a way that exposes the structure to risk\u2014like peeling on wood siding. Do you inspect fences and gates? Yes\u2014but only for general condition, safety, and damage. I don\u2019t inspect for zoning, boundary lines, or lock mechanisms. If a gate won\u2019t latch or a post is rotted, I\u2019ll note it. What if the yard slopes toward the house? That\u2019s a red flag. I\u2019ll document poor grading or drainage conditions. You may need regrading, drainage solutions, or extensions on downspouts to protect the foundation. \u2192 Next up: Post 13: Foundation, Crawlspace & Basement \u2014 Uncovering Structural Clues \u2190 Previously: Post 11: Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go Wrong Curious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?","datePublished":"2025-06-30","dateModified":"2025-06-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/#Person","name":"Kloc Curtis","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/author\/curtis\/","identifier":6,"description":"Curtis Kloc is a U.S. Navy veteran and seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in business development, inspections, and technical systems. He has built and sold multiple six- and seven-figure home inspection and environmental services companies, including HERO Inspections & Environmental and Elite Analysis. Curtis is the founder of Inspections Over Coffee, a nationally expanding franchise known for its white-glove service, inspector training systems, and streamlined operational workflows.\r\n\r\nWith deep roots in nuclear engineering from his time as a Machinist Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician aboard two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, Curtis brings unmatched precision and discipline to every business he runs. He is certified and licensed in home inspection, mold assessment, asbestos inspection, and environmental testing, and is a member of NACHI since 2006. Curtis now leads AI automation initiatives through Nexation.ai, helping businesses eliminate busywork and refocus on what matters most\u2014client relationships, growth, and results.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1630069397452.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Person","name":"Curtis Kloc","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/site-logo.png","width":512,"height":512}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/home-inspection-blog-12.png","url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/home-inspection-blog-12.png","height":736,"width":1312},"url":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-exterior-systems-drainage-siding-and-what-can-let-water-in\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":578,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Exterior Systems \u2014 Drainage, Siding, and What Can Let Water InThe reason I spend extra time walking the outside of the home isn\u2019t to admire the curb appeal. It\u2019s to figure out how water is\u2014or isn\u2019t\u2014getting away from the structure. Most buyers see fresh paint and new mulch. I see moisture traps, compromised siding, and slopes that tilt the wrong way.Where I Walk, I\u2019m Looking for WaterI start with drainage. Is the ground sloped away from the house? Are gutters extended far enough from the foundation? Is there standing water or evidence of erosion? Water is the number one enemy of every home\u2014outside and in. So that\u2019s my starting point.From there, I evaluate siding: is it soft, delaminating, cracking, or pulling away? Are there gaps around hose bibs, cable entries, or vents? Does vegetation touch or grow too close to the walls? That\u2019s not just messy\u2014it\u2019s a moisture invitation.What I\u2019m Looking For\u2014And What I\u2019m Not  \u2705 I\u2019m looking for: poor grading, siding damage, missing or failed caulking, vegetation contact, deteriorated windows or trim, and compromised penetrations.  \u274c I\u2019m not looking for: cosmetic paint quality, landscaping trends, or fence style preferences. This isn\u2019t an HGTV critique\u2014it\u2019s a water intrusion check.I also look at hardscapes\u2014like driveways, walkways, patios, and retaining walls. Are they cracking, sloping back toward the house, or breaking apart due to tree roots or age? That matters. A cracked driveway may not seem urgent, but if it\u2019s redirecting water toward your crawlspace, you\u2019ll care a lot more in February.Doors, Windows, and Trim: Where Water Slips InExterior doors and windows are constant battlegrounds. I\u2019m looking at weatherstripping, trim rot, soft thresholds, failed caulk lines, and gaps. Once again\u2014it\u2019s all about water. And sometimes, bugs. These small details are where big repairs start.Same goes for fences and gates. If they\u2019re falling apart, leaning, or unsecured, it might not affect the house\u2019s structure\u2014but it says something about maintenance overall. The exterior tells a story. You just have to look past the fresh mulch and door wreath.FAQs: What to Expect From the Exterior InspectionDo you evaluate landscaping or yard layout?Only as it relates to drainage, slope, and potential structural impact. I don\u2019t assess plant types, aesthetics, or HOA compliance\u2014but I do care if that nice flowerbed is holding water against your foundation.Will you note cosmetic paint flaws or siding color issues?No. I\u2019m looking for damage, not design. Paint quality only matters to me if it\u2019s failing in a way that exposes the structure to risk\u2014like peeling on wood siding.Do you inspect fences and gates?Yes\u2014but only for general condition, safety, and damage. I don\u2019t inspect for zoning, boundary lines, or lock mechanisms. If a gate won\u2019t latch or a post is rotted, I\u2019ll note it.What if the yard slopes toward the house?That\u2019s a red flag. I\u2019ll document poor grading or drainage conditions. You may need regrading, drainage solutions, or extensions on downspouts to protect the foundation.\u2192 Next up: Post 13: Foundation, Crawlspace & Basement \u2014 Uncovering Structural Clues\u2190 Previously: Post 11: Inside the Attic \u2014 Insulation, Ventilation & What Can Go WrongCurious what it\u2019s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What We Look For (And What We Don\u2019t): Exterior Systems \u2014 Drainage, Siding, and What Can Let Water In","item":"https:\/\/homeinspectionsovercoffee.com\/what-we-look-for-and-what-we-dont-exterior-systems-drainage-siding-and-what-can-let-water-in\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]