Water Damage, Mold and Restoration Companies in the Toledo Area

What Makes Toledo Different

Toledo sits where the Maumee River meets Lake Erie, on flat land that was once the Great Black Swamp. The ground is heavy clay that drains slowly, so water pools around foundations after hard rain and spring snowmelt. Wet basements are the most common water problem here. A sump pump with a battery backup and downspouts that carry water well away from the house prevent a lot of damage.

Winters are long and cold. Pipes in outside walls, crawlspaces and unheated garages freeze and split, and the leak often shows up only when things thaw. Ice dams form along the eaves of homes with thin attic insulation and push meltwater into ceilings and walls. In a deep cold snap, keep the heat on and open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls.

Much of the city’s housing was built long before 1978. Lead paint and old plaster are common, and pipe wrap, floor tile and some siding may contain asbestos, so test before you sand, scrape or tear anything out. Heavy storms can also push sewage up through basement floor drains in older neighborhoods. Sewage backup is Category 3 water, so wear gloves and boots and keep children and pets away until it is cleaned.