Water Damage, Mold and Restoration Companies in Pittsfield and the Berkshires

What Makes Pittsfield and the Berkshires Different

Pittsfield sits in a valley in the Berkshire hills, where winters are long, snowy and cold. Ice dams form along the eaves of older homes with little attic insulation, and meltwater backs up under the shingles into ceilings and walls. Pipes in exterior walls, porches and unheated basements freeze and split, and the leak often shows up only when things warm up.

Much of the housing is old, built long before 1978. Lead paint is common, and Massachusetts has a strict lead law that requires deleading in older homes where young children live. Old plaster, boiler pipe wrap and floor tile may contain asbestos, so test before you tear anything out.

Branches of the Housatonic River run through the valley, and heavy rain or snowmelt can raise them fast. Older basements with stone or block walls seep in wet seasons, so a sump pump and a dehumidifier prevent a lot of damage. Many second homes in the hills sit empty for long stretches, so drain the plumbing or have someone check the home after any deep cold.