If there’s one thing we wish every Montana homeowner understood, it’s this:

Water is the most consistently present threat to Montana homes.

Not wildfire.
Not high winds.
Not aging components.

Water.

It works slowly and persistently. It rots wood, compromises foundations, and creates conditions for mold growth.

Here are some of the most common ways we see water impacting homes — and how to stop it before it starts.

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The Ground Should Move Water Away — Not Toward the House

One of the first things inspectors will notice when assessing the exterior of a home is the grading around the foundation.

The soil should slope away from the structure, and not just a little bit either. The soil should drop a minimum of 6 inches in the first 10 feet from the home. That's not just one inspectors opinion, that's a requirement of modern building codes. This helps rainwater and snowmelt drain away instead of collecting near the foundation walls.

When grading or flat surfaces slope negatively (toward the house), a few things can happen:

* Water moves through the foundation, intruding into basements and crawlspaces
* High water concentration creates hydrostatic pressure that can cause the foundation to lean, crack, and buckle
* Saturated soil can cause localized settlement of the foundation and structure above
* Wet soil in crawlspaces can increase humidity and create an environment for mold growth

Even small areas of negative grading can matter. We often see this near:

* Concrete walkways and patios
* Planter beds against the home
* Areas adjacent to window wells

The fix is usually straightforward: regrade the soil and level hard surfaces so water naturally flows away from the home.

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Why Missing Downspout Extensions Are a Bigger Problem Than No Gutters

This surprises people, but it’s true.

A house with no gutters at all will discharge water along the entire roof edge. It’s not ideal, but at least the water is spread out across a relatively large area.

A house with gutters but no downspout extensions concentrates all that roof water into just a few areas— right next to the foundation.

That creates:

* Deep soil saturation at corners
* Settlement and hydrostatic pressure risk
* Sunken grading that can exacerbate the issue

Every downspout should discharge water 4-6 feet away from the foundation. Extensions are simple, inexpensive, and one of the most effective ways to protect a home. Don't settle for the cheap splash blocks, or worse, the dreaded rain chains!

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The Small Metal Details That Prevent Big Problems

Flashing details are one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of a home’s defense system.

Flashing directs water away from vulnerable areas where different materials meet. When it’s missing or poorly installed, water can collect and even get behind siding and trim, causing hidden damage for years.

Two details inspectors pay close attention to:

Kickout Flashing

Where a roof eave terminates against a wall, water runs down the slope and needs to ultimately be directed into the gutter.

Without kickout flashing (also known as diverter flashing), water can intrude directly behind the siding at that transition point. Over time, this can lead to:

* Rotten siding and trim
* Rotten wall sheathing
* Mold growth within the wall assembly

This is one of the most common areas for hidden water damage if kickoff flashing has been absent for years.

Flashing at Horizontal Trim

Any protruding horizontal trim — especially above windows, doors, or along siding transitions — should have metal flashing above it. This was not always a code requirement, but has always been best practice.

Without it, water can collect on top of the trim, rot materials, and slowly work its way behind the siding.

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Ice Dams: A Winter Water Problem

In Montana, winter adds another layer to the water story. The formation of ice dams is a common seasonal challenge, however, it's cause is often misunderstood.

Ice dams form when:

1. Heat escapes into the attic, raising the temperature of the roof decking
2. Snow melts on the roof
3. Meltwater runs down and refreezes at the colder eaves
4. Ice builds up and traps water behind it

That trapped water can work its way under shingles and into the home.

Contributing factors include:

* Inadequate attic insulation
* Poor attic ventilation
* Air leakage from the living space

Ice dams aren’t just a roofing issue — they’re often a sign of energy loss and airflow problems.

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The Bigger Picture

Most major water damage doesn’t come from dramatic events.

It comes from small, repeated exposure over time:

* A downspout draining against the foundatin
* A walkway sloped toward the house
* Missing flashing at one key transition
* Ice damming season after season

Individually, these may seem minor. Together, they can shorten the life of a home significantly.

A house can handle a lot. Wind, snow, time, and use.

But water, given enough opportunity, will always find a way in.

The goal isn’t to make a home waterproof. That’s impossible.

The goal is to manage water, guide it, and move it away before it has a chance to do damage. And the homes that do this well tend to age slower, stay healthier, and require fewer major repairs over time.

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