Having sleuthed out the symptoms
and causes of wet basements for years,
I felt confident to tackle an unusual
homeowner request. Another home
inspector had been to the job but
could not satisfy this person with an
adequate explanation. I suggested that
if I couldn't figure it out, there would
be no charge.
The trouble was with the clues and
logic. There I was in the unfinished
basement portion of a 20-year-old
home looking at the rear foundation
wall. It had been coated with one of
those products advertised as capable of
keeping the basement dry. Much of
the material was flaking off in large
blisters, and stains were everywhere.
I investigated the outside. The rear
yard of the