HOME CARE · DRAINAGE & CRAWLSPACES
Drainage, Grading & Crawlspaces
The enemy in the PNW is not a single storm. It is months of chronic moisture finding the lowest path. Grading, downspouts, and crawlspace condition are the three controls you have over where that water goes. A dry crawlspace in August proves nothing; check it in February.
General guidance for typical Portland-area homes. Your home’s systems, age, and site may differ. When in doubt, ask.
TASK SCHEDULE
| TASK | FREQUENCY |
|---|---|
| Confirm grade slopes away from foundation | Yearly walk-around |
| Downspout extensions/drains discharging away from house | Check every fall, after every landscaping change |
| Crawlspace inspection (moisture, staining, pests, insulation) | Twice yearly: spring + fall |
| Sump pump test (pour water, confirm it cycles) | Twice yearly, plus before forecast atmospheric-river events |
| Foundation vents | Screened and clear; seasonal open/close per your home’s design |
WHY THIS MATTERS IN THE PNW
Our region’s rainfall arrives over months, not days. Chronic dampness, not flash flooding, is the enemy. A dry crawlspace in August proves nothing; check it in February. Standing water, efflorescence (white mineral bloom) on concrete, and musty odor are all early warnings worth acting on, not watching. Nathan is not a licensed professional engineer; his observations are informational, drawn from his 23-year career in structural engineering. Formal evaluations are performed by the licensed inspectors and engineers he helps coordinate.
WHEN TO CALL A PRO
Electrical, gas, roofing work above the first story, and sewer repairs belong to licensed professionals. Nathan is not a licensed professional engineer; his observations are informational, drawn from his 23-year career in structural engineering.