Westside Olympia Water Damage

Westside neighborhoods mix older homes near Harrison Avenue with mid-century and newer homes up the hill. Many sit over crawl spaces, and many lots slope, sometimes steeply. Tall firs and cedars shade roofs and drop needles all year.

On slopes, water from uphill flows toward houses during long rains. Shade keeps roofs damp so moss grows, and needles fill gutters fast. Winter windstorms bring branches down on roofs.

See crawl space water damage, roof leak ceiling damage and structural drying, or go back to water damage restoration Olympia.

A drain along the uphill side of the house, or a swale that carries water around it, can keep runoff out of the crawl space. A drainage contractor can design one for your lot.

Tall trees are part of the Westside, but branches over the roof and needles in gutters add up. Trimming overhanging branches and using gutter guards reduce leaks and storm damage.

Bungalows near Harrison Avenue may have older pipes and less insulation. Ask a plumber to look at supply lines while walls are open after any water damage.

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

The Westside has a wide range of homes: early 1900s bungalows near the bottom of the hill, mid-century ranches and split-levels, and newer houses higher up. Many sit over crawl spaces; some split-levels have lower rooms partly below grade that take on water in long rains.

Lower rooms in split-level homes sit partly below the ground. In heavy winter rain, water can seep through the walls or come in at doors and windows. Keep window wells and drains clear and grade the soil away from the house.

Winter windstorms bring down branches across the Westside. A branch that punctures a roof lets rain straight into the attic. Have trees near the house checked by an arborist and trim limbs that overhang the roof.

Calls from Westside homes reach local providers day and night at (360) 325-8833.

Shaded roofs under tall trees grow moss quickly. Moss lifts shingles and holds water. A roofer can treat it and advise on prevention.

On slopes, water from uphill yards, driveways and streets can flow toward your house. A shallow swale or drain that carries water around the house, and keeping your own downspouts pointed downhill, reduce what reaches your foundation. Talk with uphill neighbors about where their downspouts discharge.

Bungalows near the bottom of the Westside hill often have shallow crawl spaces, older plumbing and little wall insulation. Pipes in exterior walls and under the floor are the first to freeze in rare cold snaps. Close crawl space vents in winter and insulate exposed pipe.

Many hillside lots have retaining walls. Walls without working drains behind them hold water against the soil, which can push toward the house. Weep holes and drain pipes should be kept clear.

Newer homes higher on the Westside may have upstairs laundry rooms, multiple bathrooms over living space and PEX plumbing. Supply line and appliance leaks are the common calls here. Braided lines, drain pans and leak sensors prevent most of them.

Even if water only reached one room, ask the provider to check the crawl space below. On a slope, water under the house often collects at the downhill side.

Calls from Westside homes reach local providers day and night through (360) 325-8833, whether the water is in the attic, the rooms or under the floor.

Clean gutters, extend downspouts downhill, trim overhanging limbs and check the crawl space. These four steps prevent most Westside winter water calls.

Homes on the downhill side of a slope sometimes need a sump in the crawl space to move collected water away. Test it each fall and keep the discharge line pointed downhill, away from the house.

Water anywhere in a Westside home? One call to (360) 325-8833 reaches a local provider.