Water Damage, Mold and Restoration Companies in Charleston, West Virginia

What Makes Charleston, West Virginia Different

Charleston sits where the Elk River meets the Kanawha, in a narrow valley with steep hills on both sides. Heavy rain runs off the hills fast, and creeks and hollows can flood in hours. In June 2016, flash flooding along the Elk River badly damaged Clendenin and other towns in the region. Floodwater from outside is contaminated, and a standard homeowners policy does not cover it.

Many homes are built into hillsides, with basements that take on groundwater in wet seasons. Poor drainage behind a house can push water through the foundation wall. Working gutters, downspouts that carry water well away and soil that slopes away from the house help a lot. A damp basement feeds mold, so a dehumidifier is worth running from spring through fall.

Winters bring hard freezes and ice, and pipes in crawlspaces and exterior walls can split. Much of the housing is older, so lead paint is common in homes built before 1978, and old pipe wrap, floor tile and plaster may contain asbestos. Test before you tear anything out.