Hartman Home Inspections, LLC.

Vegetation maintenance is important to the health of the exterior of your home as all of those carefully cultivated bushes, flowers and landscaping you work so hard on may have unintended consequences. Not only do plants contain moisture, they also transmit it to the surfaces they touch. If they are too close to the house they can block sunlight and air circulation and dampen the exterior with water v***r, which can lead to mildew, mold, moss and stains. They can also promote Wood Destroying Organisms (Termites, Carpenter Ants) into your home by create a pathway.

It is recommended to trim the plants and shrubs to allow at least a foot of clear space from the walls, so sunlight and air can dry out the moisture. Don’t forget limbs, leaves and other plant materials and debris at the base of the foundation walls, gutters and roof lines.
We recommend using a licensed qualified landscaper or arborist to complete this maintenance task.

You should also observe the grading and drainage near the home. Grading should be pitched away from the home and drainage should move water away from the home. Typically accepted slope is one inch per foot for the first five feet. When adding soil take care to leave at least six inches between the soil and any building materials, as this can lead to wood rot, or insect infestations.