Every month, we seek to bring our readers insight from the worlds of home construction, home repair, and home maintenance straight from local Northwest Washington contractors in a segment we call “3 Questions.” Yep, you guessed it: we ask three questions, and the contractors answer them.
This month, we learn about structural issues with Paul Vierthaler, president at Island Excavating, Inc., in Eastsound.
Q1: Water intrusion can plague many homes here in the Pacific Northwest, and summertime can be a great time to take care of it. What’s your preferred method for repairing water intrusion issues under a home?
Dig down along the foundation wall to below the footing, and replace the old perforated drain pipe. Drain, clean and waterproof the wall, add battle matt against the wall. Backfill to the surface using clean drain rock. Run all roof drains to daylight and away from the foundation.
Q2: If exterior lot drainage improvements aren’t practical or effective, what are some methods employed to deal with water intrusion under a home?
Sump pumps as a last resort
Q3: Where do you send all that water to anyway (city vs. rural)?
Storm drains in the city, dispersion trenches for rural areas.
About Island Excavating
Island Excavating, Inc. been in business on Orcas Island since 1970. Privately owned for 30 years, in 2000 the business was sold to the employees and restructured as an ESOP (employee stock ownership program). Employees receive full benefits, and stock in the company as a retirement plan. Island Excavating employees are professionals; most of them are employed over 20 years with the company. They are the proud owners and invested caretakers of this evolving enterprise. These strong relationships have extended far into the community and Island Excavating takes deep pride in the fact that the company provides financial and in-kind support to numerous community projects and organizations.Island Excavating is prepared for all manner of situations and can cleanly and efficiently solve problems and finish jobs to an astonishing degree.
A big “thanks” to Paul for his responses!If you have questions or comments about structural issues or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).