Water Damage, Mold and Restoration Companies in the Pittsburgh Area

What Makes Pittsburgh Different

Pittsburgh is a city of steep hills and river valleys. Heavy rain runs fast down the slopes, and small streams rise in minutes, so low streets and homes near creeks can flood with little warning. Wet clay soil on hillsides can slide and push against foundations. Floodwater from outside is always contaminated, and a standard homeowners policy does not cover it.

Much of the housing is old, including brick rowhouses, frame homes on steep lots and houses built long before 1978. Lead paint is common, so avoid dry sanding and scraping. Old pipe wrap, floor tile and plaster may contain asbestos, so test before you tear anything out. Stone and block basements seep in wet seasons, and older sewers can back up through floor drains in heavy storms.

Winters are cold and damp, with many freeze and thaw cycles. Pipes in exterior walls and unheated basements freeze and split, and ice dams form on homes with thin attic insulation. A sump pump with a battery backup, a backwater valve and a dehumidifier prevent a lot of damage.