Water Damage in Olympia's Eastside & South Capitol

South Capitol sits beside the Capitol campus, with many homes from the early 1900s, and the Eastside spreads east of downtown with a mix of older and mid-century houses. Some have partial basements, others crawl spaces.

Older roofs and gutters are tested every winter. Galvanized supply pipes and cast iron drains age. Old foundations let damp in, and mature trees send roots into sewer lines.

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Plaster on lath, old-growth floors and original trim are hard to replace. Ask the provider about their experience with older homes and what they will protect.

The 2001 Nisqually earthquake damaged older buildings in Olympia. Older homes can have hidden cracks in foundations or chimneys that let water in. Have a contractor look if you notice new cracks or leaks.

Partial basements in older homes stay cool and damp. Keep storage in plastic bins on shelves and run a dehumidifier in the wet season.

Hiring for a home in Eastside & South Capitol? Look the company up with the Washington L&I contractor lookup.

Some older homes have partial basements with concrete or stone foundations. These walls let in moisture during the wet season. A dehumidifier, good gutters and grading, and keeping storage off the floor reduce damage.

Many older homes have brick chimneys. Flashing around them is a common leak point, and the Nisqually earthquake loosened some chimneys. Have a roofer or mason check flashing and mortar if stains appear nearby.

Many homes near the Capitol campus are rentals. Tenants should report leaks quickly; landlords should check roofs, gutters, water heaters and crawl spaces each fall.

Calls from the Eastside and South Capitol reach local providers 24 hours a day at (360) 325-8833.

Mature trees line many streets here. Their roots reach older clay and cast iron sewer lines. A camera inspection shows where they enter.

South Capitol is known for its older homes near the Capitol campus. Original trim, fir floors and plaster are hard to replace. Tell the provider what matters to you before any tear-out, so they can protect, save or carefully remove those materials.

Older homes here may still have galvanized supply pipe and cast iron drains. Rusty water, low pressure, slow drains and leaks at joints are signs. A plumber can explain repiping or relining when water damage opens walls.

Many older homes are on their second or third roof. If yours is near the end of its life, plan a replacement before it starts leaking into the attic during a long winter.

Some older homes have a partial basement under one part and a crawl space under the rest. Water can collect in either. After a leak or long rain, check both.

Older homes have more nooks where water hides: under old built-ins, behind plaster, inside thick fir framing. Providers who work in older homes allow more time, use more meters and dry gently so plaster does not crack.

Older homes may have policies that limit coverage for old plumbing or roofs. Read your policy and ask your agent whether replacing old pipes or the roof changes your coverage or premium.

Calls from homes on the Eastside and in South Capitol reach local providers day and night through (360) 325-8833, for roof leaks, failed pipes, wet basements and crawl spaces.

Before the rainy season, have older roofs and chimney flashing checked, clean gutters, test the sump if you have one and look at the basement or crawl space. A little work in fall saves a lot in January.

Keep basement storage in plastic bins on shelves, away from walls, so damp walls and small leaks do little harm.

When you call, mention the age of the home, whether it has plaster, a basement or crawl space, and any recent plumbing or roof work. It helps the provider plan.

Leaks do not wait for business hours. Calls to (360) 325-8833 are answered around the clock.