Benjamin Franklin Gilbert laid out Takoma Park in 1883 along the B&O's Metropolitan Branch as one of the first planned Victorian commuter suburbs, selling long, narrow lots of about 50 by 200 feet. Much of that early housing survives, protected since 1976 within a National Register historic district, and the city's roughly two square miles sit on the hilly fall line with Sligo Creek and Long Branch cutting through. Old framing, plaster walls, stone and brick foundations, and some of the region's tallest trees all factor into how water damage plays out here.
The Restoration Job is a free connection service and is not itself a restoration company. Call (888) 317-9980 day or night, and we'll link you with an independent provider that works in Takoma Park.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Takoma Park. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Victorian Houses, Bungalows and Century-Old Basements
Many houses in Old Takoma, North Takoma and the streets around Takoma Junction are well over a hundred years old. Foundations of that era were not built to keep a finished basement dry, and many have been converted to living space since. Common problems include:
- Seepage through stone or brick foundation walls after long rains
- Old cast-iron drain stacks and galvanized supply pipes that corrode from the inside
- Radiator and boiler leaks in homes still on hot-water heat
- Roof valleys, dormers and porch roofs where flashing has aged
Plaster and lath behaves differently from drywall when wet. It holds water longer and can lose its bond to the lath, so a provider may want to dry it in place and monitor it before deciding to remove sections. Ask about that option before anyone starts demolition.
Sligo Creek, Long Branch and Hillside Runoff
Sligo Creek drains one of the most heavily urbanized pieces of the Anacostia watershed; less than 15 percent of its basin is undeveloped and only about a tenth is forested. Its lower reach has been channelized. Long Branch, which joins it, follows a similar pattern. Because so much of the land is paved or roofed, these streams rise quickly in a cloudburst.
The hills matter as much as the creeks. Homes at the bottom of a slope, or with driveways and stairwells that pitch toward the house, collect runoff from properties above. The September 10, 2020 storm, which dropped two to five inches on the region in about two hours, is the kind of event that sends water across yards and into basement doors in Takoma Park even far from the creek banks. If water entered from outside, plan on flood cleanup procedures rather than a simple dry-out.
Big Trees, Tropical Storms and Roof Leaks
The city protects its urban forest closely; removing a tree more than 7 5/8 inches in diameter requires a permit from the city arborist. Those mature hardwoods shade the streets, but they also come down in storms. When Tropical Storm Isaias passed on August 4, 2020, Takoma Park recorded just over three inches of rain, and the National Weather Service logged numerous trees, poles and wires down on Chaney Drive and a large tree down on Greenwood Avenue.
A tree strike on an older house can damage rafters, plaster ceilings and chimney flashing at once. Once the opening is covered, attic insulation and ceiling cavities need to be checked for trapped water. See storm damage cleanup for what that work involves, and check with the city about tree permits before removing a damaged tree that is still standing.
Working Carefully in a Historic House
Water damage restoration in an older Takoma Park home calls for a slower hand than in new construction. Original hardwood, trim and doors are hard to replace, so it pays to choose drying over removal where possible. Older homes may contain lead paint or asbestos in pipe insulation, flooring or plaster; a careful provider will test before disturbing suspect materials. If your house is in the historic district, exterior repairs such as roofing, siding or windows may need historic preservation approval, so ask before replacing anything visible from the street.
Inside, start by shutting off the water, photographing everything and moving valuables to a dry room. Then call (888) 317-9980 to reach a provider serving the city.
Damp Cellars and Mold Growth
Older Takoma Park basements were often never meant to be dry, and the humid Montgomery County summer adds moisture of its own. After a leak, mold tends to appear on the back of paneling, under carpet laid directly on concrete, and on stored boxes. Run a dehumidifier, keep belongings off the floor, and address the water source before refinishing. For growth that covers more than a small area, a provider offering mold remediation can contain the space while affected materials are removed.
Where Callers in the Takoma Park Area Are
Calls come in from across Takoma Park, including:
- Old Takoma
- North Takoma
- Takoma Junction
- Hodges Heights
- Long Branch-Sligo
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Silver Spring
- Langley Park
- Chillum
- Hyattsville
- Four Corners
- Wheaton
Common Questions
Can wet plaster walls in my old Takoma Park house be saved?
Frequently, yes. Plaster is dense and tolerant of a short soaking from clean water, and it can often be dried in place with dehumidifiers and air movement while readings are tracked. Removal becomes more likely if the plaster has lost its grip on the lath, the water was contaminated, or the wall stayed wet for a long time. Testing for lead or asbestos should happen before any is cut out.
A storm brought down a tree on my roof. Do I need a permit to remove it?
Takoma Park regulates removal of larger trees through its city arborist, so check with the city before cutting down a damaged tree that is still standing, unless it poses an immediate hazard. Your first priority is safety and covering any roof opening to stop more water getting in. Photograph the damage for your insurer, then arrange drying of the interior.
Why does my basement leak only during heavy rain?
On hilly lots, water moving downslope reaches foundation walls faster than the soil can absorb it, especially when gutters overflow or downspouts discharge near the house. Older stone and brick foundations have many small paths for water. Extending downspouts, regrading and clearing stairwell drains help. Interior seepage that soaks finished materials should be dried promptly to prevent mold.