Water Damage Restoration in Chestnut Hill, PA

What did Hurricane Ida do in Chestnut Hill?

The remnants of Hurricane Ida brought roughly 5 to 10 inches of rain to the region on September 1, 2021, most of it in a little over six hours. The Wissahickon peaked at 17.74 feet at the USGS gauge at Fort Washington State Park. That is well above the roughly 12 feet where the creek tends to leave its banks.

Chestnut Hill was among the places that flooded. Forbidden Drive went under water, and benches and parts of the trail washed away. Flooding was also reported in Flourtown, Wyndmoor, Fort Washington and Ambler.

Creek water is Category 3, which means it is treated as contaminated. The flood damage cleanup page explains how that changes what can be saved.

The Wissahickon watershed is wooded, and sycamores, maples and oaks drop a lot of leaves and branches. Debris reaching a gutter, a window well drain or a culvert in the fall can leave water with no path in the next storm.

Why would a house on a ridge get water in the cellar?

A ridge keeps most houses out of the creek's reach, but it does not keep them dry. Hillside lots send rain downhill across the property, and a deep stone cellar on a slope can have one wall below the surrounding soil. Water presses on that wall and can pass through old mortar.

Long rain and saturated ground raise the water table. A sump pit may fill faster than the pump can empty it, and a pump without power does nothing. These are general patterns, and a technician looks at the entry points on arrival.

Wet stone and plaster dry slowly. The crew keeps equipment running and checks readings until the walls are dry.

Window wells are a common entry on these houses. A cellar window set below grade fills like a cup when the drain at its bottom clogs, and the water then comes over the sill. Keep wells clear of leaves and soil, and cover them if you can.

What is different about large older stone and stucco houses?

Large houses on big lots mean long runs of pipe, several bathrooms and a cellar that holds the water heater, boiler and mechanical systems. A slow leak in one bathroom can wet the ceiling below, the wall cavity and the floor structure before anyone notices. The distance from the main also means a longer time to find the cause.

Plaster ceilings, wood floors and built-in cabinetry are costly to replace, so careful drying matters more than speed of demolition. A crew cuts as little as it must and measures before and after. Photographs and moisture logs can be handed to the homeowner for a claim.

Houses of this age may have asbestos in old plaster or pipe wrap and lead in old paint. Check with your local authority before demolition.

The Germantown Avenue business district adds a second kind of building: older storefronts with apartments above and basements below. A leak above is a ceiling job below, and the commercial water damage page covers how shop and light-commercial jobs are handled.

Does flood insurance matter this close to the creek?

Standard homeowners policies exclude flood from overflowing creeks and rivers. Flood coverage is a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer, and it takes 30 days to become effective.

Sewer or drain backup is typically covered only with an endorsement. Read your policy and ask your agent, since coverage is decided by your insurer.