Water Damage and Storm Cleanup in Jasper, AL

Coal and the railroads built Jasper. In 1886 the Walker County seat had roughly 200 residents; four years later, after two rail lines reached town, it had more than 3,000, along with coal mines, coke ovens and sandstone quarries. Much of today's downtown went up between the 1920s and the 1940s, and the city now spreads across hills on the Cumberland Plateau about 390 feet above sea level, with Smith Lake a short drive to the northeast.

That setting brings a lot of rain and a fair amount of wind. Jasper averages close to 62 inches of precipitation a year, and spring storms regularly sweep across the county. For a free connection to an independent restoration company that serves Walker County, call The Restoration Job at (888) 317-9980. We don't do the work ourselves; the provider you are connected with handles inspection, drying and repairs.

Nearly 62 Inches of Rain on Walker County's Hills

Jasper's annual precipitation runs about 61.76 inches, enough that soils on the plateau often stay saturated for days during a wet stretch in late winter or spring. Once the ground can't absorb more, runoff heads for the lowest point it can find, and on a hillside lot that is sometimes a basement wall, a garage slab or the crawl space under the back of the house.

Homes built into slopes are especially prone to seepage at the uphill foundation wall. Watch for damp block, white mineral deposits on masonry, standing water in crawl spaces and musty air after rain. Regrading, extended downspouts and a working sump are long-term fixes; in the short term, getting standing water out and the space dried is what keeps framing and subfloors sound. Providers that offer water extraction bring pumps and truck-mounted or portable units sized for flooded basements and crawl spaces.

April 27, 2011: What the Tornadoes Did Around Cordova and Parrish

Walker County was struck twice on April 27, 2011. Before dawn, an EF-3 tornado with winds near 140 mph tracked about 19 miles through the Parrish and Cordova area. That afternoon, a far longer EF-4 tornado crossed south of Oakman and Parrish, then tore through Cordova, destroying most of its historic downtown, before continuing northeast into Cullman County. The National Weather Service counted 13 deaths along that path.

Jasper itself was not in either damage path, but the outbreak is a reminder of how storm damage turns into water damage. A torn roof, a missing window or a tree limb through the attic lets in rain for days while homeowners wait on tarps, adjusters and contractors. Covering openings fast and pulling out soaked insulation and ceiling drywall early prevents a second round of losses. A company that handles storm damage cleanup can usually manage tarping, debris removal and drying as one job.

Downtown Buildings from the 1920s to the 1940s

The Jasper Downtown Historic District, added to the National Register in 2004, covers about 400 acres around the Walker County Courthouse and includes commercial blocks, government buildings, a Masonic Temple and homes. Architectural styles range from Queen Anne and Classical Revival to Art Deco. Many of these structures have flat or low-slope roofs, internal drains and multiple tenants sharing walls.

In a building like that, a clogged roof drain or a failed supply line upstairs can travel a long way before anyone notices. Water follows joists and pipe chases and can show up one or two storefronts over. Business owners should find out where water shutoffs are for their own space and for the building, and document damage room by room before cleanup starts. Plaster walls and old-growth wood floors can often be dried in place with careful monitoring rather than ripped out.

Ten Below Zero: Freeze Damage on the Plateau

Snow is rare here, averaging well under an inch a year, but Jasper's record low is minus 10 degrees. Arctic outbreaks don't need to be long to split a pipe in an exterior wall, a vented crawl space or an unheated utility room. Older houses with galvanized lines and mobile homes with exposed plumbing underneath tend to be the first to fail.

• Keep crawl space vents closed and skirting intact on manufactured homes during freezes.
• Let a thin stream run at faucets on outside walls.
• Shut off and drain the line to outdoor spigots.
• When a pipe breaks, close the main valve and turn off power to any wet room if you can reach the panel safely.

Keeping Mold Out of Damp Crawl Spaces

Warm, humid summers and hillside drainage make crawl spaces the most common mold trouble spot in Walker County homes. Wet soil under a house raises humidity in the floor system, and once insulation or joists stay damp for a couple of days, growth can begin. A vapor barrier over the soil, sealed or properly managed vents and a dehumidifier help keep it in check.

After a leak or flood, drying should continue until wood moisture readings return to normal, not just until surfaces feel dry. Where mold has already spread across subfloor or framing, the area should be contained and cleaned before anything is closed back up. Ask for moisture readings and photos at each stage; your insurer will want them too.