Downtown Olympia Water Damage

Downtown Olympia grew along the waterfront at the south end of Puget Sound. Much of it is built on fill and sits only a few feet above high tide. The City of Olympia has planned for sea level rise because low parts of downtown can see water when heavy rain meets very high tides.

Inside, older brick buildings, apartments above shops and newer condos each bring their own risks: roofs and parapets that leak in wind-driven rain, old pipes, and water that moves from one unit to the next through floors and walls.

See roof leak ceiling damage, emergency water removal and mold remediation, or go back to water damage Olympia.

In condos, responsibility is split. The HOA's master policy usually covers the building structure and common areas, and your own policy covers your unit's interior and belongings. When water comes from another unit, both may be involved. Photograph everything and notify the manager in writing.

Brick and plaster hold moisture and dry slowly. Providers dry them gently and may take longer than in a modern home. Ask about their experience with older buildings.

Water that comes over the ground from outside is flood, which standard policies exclude. In low-lying downtown areas, ask your agent about flood insurance.

Hiring for a home in Downtown Olympia? Look the company up with the Washington L&I contractor lookup.

Many downtown buildings have apartments or offices above ground-floor shops. A leak upstairs can reach the business below within minutes. Owners and tenants should know where shut-off valves are and how to reach the building manager after hours.

Older buildings may have cast iron drains and galvanized or older copper supply lines. Leaks at joints and corroded sections are common. When water damage reveals old pipe, ask about replacing it while walls are open.

Calls from downtown homes, condos and businesses reach local providers 24 hours a day at (360) 325-8833. Mention parking, alley access and building entry so the crew can plan.

Brick buildings with old windows and limited ventilation can hold moisture. After a leak, drying must be thorough, and any musty smell afterwards should be checked.

In condos and apartments, many water damage calls start one floor up: a washer hose, a toilet line or a shower leak. If water comes through your ceiling, tell the manager and the neighbor above right away, photograph everything and keep records. The source unit's owner, the HOA and your own insurer may all be involved.

In the lowest parts of downtown, keep stock, records and stored items off ground floors and basements, or in plastic bins on shelves. If water comes in during a king tide and storm, raised storage turns a disaster into a cleanup.

Brick walls absorb rain, and older mortar can let water through during long wind-driven storms. Inside, plaster on brick can show damp patches and peeling paint. Repointing mortar and keeping gutters and downspouts working help keep walls drier.

Buildings close to the water sit in damp air much of the year. After any leak, drying takes longer and dehumidifiers matter more. Ask the provider how they will control humidity in the building while drying.

For shops and offices, water damage can mean closing for days. Ask the provider whether work can be phased so part of the space stays open, and check whether your business policy covers lost income.

Water in a downtown home, condo or shop? Call (360) 325-8833 at any hour for a local provider.

In shared buildings, agree with neighbors and the manager on who to call and how to reach each other after hours if water appears.

Find your unit's water shut-off before you need it.