Historic Home and Storm Water Damage Help in Donaldsonville, LA

Donaldsonville served as Louisiana's state capital from 1829 to 1831, and its downtown historic district holds what has been called the finest collection of buildings from the pre-Civil War era through 1933. The city sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 25 feet above sea level, as the seat of Ascension Parish. Bayou Lafourche once branched off the river here until its entrance was dammed in 1905. Old buildings, a big river behind the levee and Gulf storms within reach all shape the kind of water damage this town sees.

The Restoration Job never sends its own workers; the referral is free. Call (888) 317-9980 any time, and we will connect you with an independent restoration provider that serves Donaldsonville and the west bank of Ascension Parish.

Water Damage in Buildings That Predate 1933

Older structures behave differently when they get wet. Plaster walls, old-growth wood framing, transom windows and tall ceilings were built for a time before central air and modern vapor barriers. Many have been altered over the decades, which can hide where water travels. A leak from an upstairs bathroom in an older commercial building may show up two rooms away or a floor below.

For historic properties, the goal is to dry and save original material wherever possible rather than tear it out by default. Plaster can often be dried in place with controlled dehumidification. Old wood floors may cup when wet but can flatten again if drying is gradual. Ask any provider how they plan to handle original finishes before demolition starts.

Living Beside the Mississippi Levee

The Mississippi borders the city on the east, with the levee standing between the river and the town. Day to day, the larger concern for most homeowners is local rain. When heavy storms stall over the river parishes, low spots, older drainage and slab or pier foundations near grade can take on water even when the river itself is no threat.

In the August 2016 flood, about 15,000 homes and businesses in Ascension Parish took on water, mostly in the Galvez and St. Amant area across the river. That event is a reminder that serious flooding in this region often comes from rainfall and inland rivers rather than the Mississippi.

Hurricane Wind and Roof Leaks on the West Bank

Storms that cross south Louisiana reach Donaldsonville with plenty of force. Hurricane Gustav came ashore near Cocodrie on September 1, 2008, and nearby Gonzales recorded winds above 100 mph. Older roofs, chimneys and parapet walls are vulnerable in that kind of wind, and once rain gets in it runs along framing and plaster before it shows.

Temporary roof protection, followed by storm damage cleanup that includes opening and drying affected ceilings, keeps a roof leak from spreading into walls and floors.

A Practical Restoration Checklist for Older Homes

• Shut off water at the meter or main valve and note where the leak started
• Photograph damage before moving anything, including ceilings and original trim
• Do not run a household vacuum on standing water
• Remove area rugs and lift furniture off wet floors
• Ask the provider to document moisture readings in plaster and wood daily
• Talk with the city's permit office before major repairs to a building in the historic district

Professional structural drying with dehumidifiers and monitored air movement usually saves more original material than aggressive demolition.

Mold in Old Houses and Damp Summers

Humidity along the river stays high for months at a time, and older buildings often have limited ventilation in crawl spaces, attics and wall cavities. The EPA says water-damaged areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours, with indoor humidity held below 60 percent. Mold that starts behind plaster or under old floorboards can go unnoticed for a long time. A persistent musty smell after any leak is a good reason to have the area checked.