I was looking at a house for sale the other day and noticed some
wetness on both sides of the driveway a couple of inches out from the
garage door where there's a joint in the concrete slab. It ran about
a couple of feet or so from the edge of the drive in towards the
center, parallel to the door, with mold growing a bit up a wall at one
of the corners. Same thing on both sides. The builder said it was
from having mowed and watered the lawn and that the water collects
there. But this seems unlikely since this is the middle of summer on
a hot sunny, dry, day in Florida. No similar moisture elsewhere.
There's about two foot soffit above. The house otherwise appears solid
and actually very nicely finished everywhere else.

Anyone know what I'd want to look at to determine the source of the
moisture?

Thanks... AB

al wrote:
I was looking at a house for sale the other day and noticed some
wetness on both sides of the driveway a couple of inches out from the
garage door where there's a joint in the concrete slab. It ran about
a couple of feet or so from the edge of the drive in towards the
center, parallel to the door, with mold growing a bit up a wall at one
of the corners. Same thing on both sides. The builder said it was
from having mowed and watered the lawn and that the water collects
there. But this seems unlikely since this is the middle of summer on
a hot sunny, dry, day in Florida. No similar moisture elsewhere.
There's about two foot soffit above. The house otherwise appears solid
and actually very nicely finished everywhere else.

Anyone know what I'd want to look at to determine the source of the
moisture?

Thanks... AB

Hi,
Water has to flow away from garage/house. Should never collect like that
if that's the case. All the houses I owned, driveway always slopped away
from the garage floor. Or driveway was hastily poured without proper
prep. causing the poor drainage. In doubt, how about hifing a reputable
house inspector.

al wrote:

I was looking at a house for sale the other day and noticed some
wetness on both sides of the driveway a couple of inches out from the
garage door where there's a joint in the concrete slab. It ran about
a couple of feet or so from the edge of the drive in towards the
center, parallel to the door, with mold growing a bit up a wall at one
of the corners. Same thing on both sides. The builder said it was
from having mowed and watered the lawn and that the water collects
there. But this seems unlikely since this is the middle of summer on
a hot sunny, dry, day in Florida. No similar moisture elsewhere.
There's about two foot soffit above. The house otherwise appears solid
and actually very nicely finished everywhere else.

Anyone know what I'd want to look at to determine the source of the
moisture?

Thanks... AB


Downspouts nearby? Water or sprinkler pipes under the driveway? What
side of the house
is the moldy spot and is it sunny or shady? We get dew dripping from
edge of roof and downspouts
early in morning, but no mildew where it lands. The builder? Brand new
home? There have been
some heavy rains lately - perhaps it is the last of a puddle that
collected and took a while to dry?

Quote: al[2] wrote on Sun, 06 July 2008 10:23
----------------------------------------------------
I was looking at a house for sale the other day and noticed some
wetness on both sides of the driveway a couple of inches out from the
garage door where there's a joint in the concrete slab. It ran about
a couple of feet or so from the edge of the drive in towards the
center, parallel to the door, with mold growing a bit up a wall at one
of the corners. Same thing on both sides. The builder said it was
from having mowed and watered the lawn and that the water collects
there. But this seems unlikely since this is the middle of summer on
a hot sunny, dry, day in Florida. No similar moisture elsewhere.
There's about two foot soffit above. The house otherwise appears solid
and actually very nicely finished everywhere else.

Anyone know what I'd want to look at to determine the source of the
moisture?

Thanks... AB
----------------------------------------------------

Are the A/C condensate drains nearby? Plenty of condensate being pumped
out of the house on a hot sunny dry (but humid) day in Florida I imagine.


--
Richard Thoms
Founder - Top Service Pros, Inc.
Connecting Homeowners and Local Service Professionals
http://www.TopServicePros.com

al wrote:

I was looking at a house for sale the other day and noticed some
wetness on both sides of the driveway a couple of inches out from the
garage door where there's a joint in the concrete slab. It ran about
a couple of feet or so from the edge of the drive in towards the
center, parallel to the door, with mold growing a bit up a wall at one
of the corners. Same thing on both sides. The builder said it was
from having mowed and watered the lawn and that the water collects
there. But this seems unlikely since this is the middle of summer on
a hot sunny, dry, day in Florida. No similar moisture elsewhere.
There's about two foot soffit above. The house otherwise appears solid
and actually very nicely finished everywhere else.

Anyone know what I'd want to look at to determine the source of the
moisture?

Thanks... AB

perhaps the garage is air-conditioned and the condensate is from cold air
seeping out under the door?

al wrote:
....
of the corners. Same thing on both sides. The builder said it was
from having mowed and watered the lawn and that the water collects
there. But this seems unlikely since this is the middle of summer on
a hot sunny, dry, day in Florida. No similar moisture elsewhere.
There's about two foot soffit above. The house otherwise appears solid
and actually very nicely finished everywhere else.

Anyone know what I'd want to look at to determine the source of the
moisture?

Ask to see the sprinkler system run. It's possible the builder is
right--if there's a sprinkler head hitting the wall or similar and it's
pooling, it just might keep it damp.

If that's not it, there's another water source somewhere if it's growing
mold it's been wet more than not for a while...

The A/C condensate is one possibility, the other depending on where it
actually is might even be ground water.

If it's not apparent it'll be something you'll want an inspection to
uncover before making a decision...

--