Lake House Exterior Design Ideas

Houses that are located on or near lakes or other bodies of water are more susceptible to water issues than homes that are located in a dryer area and at an elevation well above the surface of the water. A home inspector who does inspections on these homes provides information on these homes.

If you are considering buying a home that is located on or near a lake there are things to keep an eye out for. Some lakes such as Indian Lake in Ohio are positioned where the surrounding land is flat. This flat land results in the homes near the lake are very close to the elevation of the lake. This elevation means that with even a moderate rain the level increase may be enough that water and moisture more easily enter the lower sections of the home. The lower section of the home I am referring to is most often the crawl space in lake homes.

Because of this susceptibility, it is very important that these homes and the people who own or buy them ensure that all rainwater is directed as far away from the home as possible. If possible I recommend routing the downspouts to the lake itself to help keep the soil near and under the home from getting saturated with water.

As it is with all homes, it is even more important with lake homes that the soils on the exterior of the home slope down and away to help direct water away. The gutters and downspouts in combination with the grading of the soil are the primary defense against water infiltration in crawl spaces.

Excessive moisture in crawl spaces provided conducive conditions for other issues as well. Mold is a possibility with areas that have excessive moisture, even for short periods of time such as a few days.

Excessive moisture is also a conducive condition for wood destroying insects such as termites, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants. These insects need moisture and having a damp crawl space makes it easier for them to take hold in a home.

When looking for a Lakeview Ohio home inspector, a Russells Point Ohio home inspector or for any property near a body of water try to locate an inspector who is familiar with these type of issues and has the experience of several years of these homes. It is also a good idea to use an inspector who also is licensed to do wood destroying insect inspections as well.