Before buying a house, SURF (or four places to look in for signs of water damage):

• SLOPE. Is the landscape sloping towards the house? If it is, make sure the house has a drainage system to re-direct rain or run-off water.

• UNDER THE CARPET. If you can, look under the carpet for wood stains. Generally, everyday spills (i.e. spills from coffee, soda, milk) only stain the carpet. Water dripping from the roof stains the wood under the carpet.

• ROOF. Look up toward the ceiling. Is there a stain? If there is, that's a sign of a leaking roof.

• FLOWER BED. Go out the garden. How are flower beds constructed? Contact between soil and foundation is no good. So is contact between wood and foundation. Soil and wood absorb water, and water erodes the house's foundation. A 5-inch buffer between foundation and flower beds is recommended.

Final thought: It's always a good idea to have the house you are planning to buy inspected by a professional. House inspectors will crawl down the house's foundation and climb up the roof and attic. They are trained to look for signs of water damage.

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