Basement flooding? (Atlanta, Dallas: home, buying, inspector)

[onthemove]

Should I be concerned about basement flooding? We don't have a basement where we live in Texas, but we'd love to have one if we move to Atlanta (for the play space for the kids). Has anyone experienced basement flooding and is it common near Atlanta?

Thanks!

[jxu66]

I doubt it. Atlanta is not very flat. A lot of small hills here and there. I used to live in Dallas. It was flat as pancake. That's probably reason Dallas doesn't have basement.

[atlantagreg30127]

Atlanta has very varied landscapes regarding home lots. I've known people who have never had any kind of moisture problems in their basements, and I've known people who have had 2-3 inches of water in their basements every time larger storms come through. It's really a matter of if the home is in a low area and if the drainage was done properly around the home when it was built.

Atlanta has odd weather - you'll have dry conditions for what seems like forever, and when it DOES rain, then you get what the weather guys like to call rain "events", where you'll get a whole day (or two) of rain rain rain. If a hurricane hits the coast or Gulf just right and comes up through the Atlanta area we will again, get tons of it. It's during these "events" that you hear about flooding sometimes, too.

Your best bet is to just make sure you inspect the home in question well for signs of previous water damage (as in use a home inspector), and question the owner about it before buying. My next home WILL have a basement as I consider it essential for good storage space, as well as safety during bad storms and tornados... just inspect it first.