Water Damage Restoration in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania markets we serve

Our Pennsylvania coverage includes 429 ZIP codes grouped into 9 local markets. Each market page lists every ZIP code and city it covers.

Water Damage in Pennsylvania: An Overview

Pennsylvania's four-season climate, abundant rainfall, and historic housing stock create steady water damage risk throughout the year. Winter brings frozen and burst pipes. Spring brings snowmelt and heavy rain that test basements and sump pumps. Summer and early fall can bring intense thunderstorms and the remnants of tropical systems. Nor'easters can add heavy precipitation in the colder months.

Restore My Water Damage serves selected markets in southeastern and eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and its suburbs, the Lehigh Valley, and Berks County. This page explains the risk factors behind water damage in these regions, the housing features that shape how damage spreads, insurance considerations, and practical steps to take. Our Pennsylvania markets are listed below.

Pennsylvania Water Damage Risk Drivers

Frozen and burst pipes

Pennsylvania winters regularly bring freezing temperatures, and cold snaps can push well below freezing for days. Pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces, garages, exterior walls, and poorly insulated additions are most vulnerable. Freeze-thaw cycles, where temperatures swing above and below freezing, can stress plumbing and outdoor fixtures repeatedly. A frozen pipe often does not leak until it thaws, which means damage can be discovered hours after the break. See burst pipe water damage cleanup.

Basements and groundwater

Basements are common across Pennsylvania. Older homes in Philadelphia, Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem, and their surrounding communities may have stone, brick, or block foundations that were never designed to be fully waterproof. Hydrostatic pressure from saturated soil can push water through walls and floors. Clogged gutters, downspouts that discharge near the foundation, and yards that slope toward the house make it worse. When a sump pump fails during a storm or power outage, basements can flood quickly. Learn more on our basement water damage restoration page.

Sewer backups

Some older urban areas, including parts of Philadelphia, are served by combined sewer systems that carry both stormwater and sewage in the same pipes. During intense rain, sewer systems can become overwhelmed, and water can back up through basement floor drains. Sewer backup water is Category 3 and requires careful cleanup. Our sewage backup cleanup page explains why.

Remnants of tropical systems

Tropical storms and hurricanes lose strength over land but can still deliver extreme rainfall inland. In September 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused severe flooding in southeastern Pennsylvania, including record flooding along the Schuylkill River and damaging flash floods in the Philadelphia suburbs. Earlier events, such as Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 and Hurricane Agnes in 1972, also caused major flooding in the state. These events show that inland Pennsylvania communities can face serious flood damage from tropical weather.

Nor'easters and winter storms

Nor'easters are strong storms that move up the East Coast, bringing heavy rain, snow, and wind. Heavy snow loads followed by melting can cause ice dams on roofs, which force water under shingles and into ceilings and walls. Wind-driven rain can enter through aging windows, masonry, and flashing.

Riverine and urban flash flooding

Pennsylvania has an extensive network of rivers and creeks, including the Delaware, Schuylkill, and Lehigh rivers. Communities near waterways can face flooding during prolonged rain or rapid snowmelt. Suburban areas with significant pavement can experience flash flooding along smaller streams during intense storms.

Pennsylvania Housing Features That Affect Water Damage

Water damage in older Pennsylvania homes often requires extra care. Plaster and old-growth hardwood can be dried in place in some cases, but they behave differently from modern drywall and engineered flooring. Lead-safe practices apply to many repair activities in pre-1978 homes. See the standards page for details on the EPA RRP rule.

Pennsylvania Seasonal Water Damage Risk

Pennsylvania Insurance Context

Pennsylvania Insurance Department

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department regulates insurance companies in the state. It provides consumer guides, answers questions, and handles complaints about insurers. If you have concerns about your claim, it is a helpful place to turn.

Flood insurance

Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood damage. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program in participating communities, and private flood coverage may also be available. The Ida flooding in 2021 affected many properties outside high-risk flood zones, which is a reason to evaluate flood coverage even if your mortgage lender does not require it. NFIP policies usually have a waiting period before taking effect.

Water backup coverage

Because basements and floor drains are so common in Pennsylvania, water backup coverage is an important consideration. It is often available as an endorsement with its own coverage limit. Without it, damage from a sewer backup or sump pump overflow may not be covered.

Common policy considerations

• Seepage and groundwater: water entering through foundation walls is often excluded.
• Freeze damage: policies may require that heat be maintained in the home.
• Ice dams: resulting interior damage may be covered differently from roof repairs.
• Row homes and condos: shared walls and association policies can complicate who is responsible.
• Gradual leaks: long-term leaks are commonly excluded.

This is general information only. Review your own policy and speak with your insurer or agent. Our insurance claims guide explains the claims process.

What to Do After Water Damage in Pennsylvania

1. Stay safe. Do not enter a flooded basement if the power is on or if appliances are submerged.
2. Stop the water. Close the main shutoff, often located in the basement near where the water line enters.
3. Check the sump pump and restore power if safe.
4. Avoid sewage contact. Keep people and pets away from backed-up drains.
5. Document the damage with photos and video.
6. Notify neighbors in row homes or twins if water may have crossed a shared wall.
7. Contact your insurer promptly.
8. Start drying quickly. Basements and plaster walls can hold moisture for a long time.
9. Protect against lead dust in pre-1978 homes before any demolition.
10. Keep receipts for emergency expenses.

Prevention Tips for Pennsylvania Properties

• Test your sump pump before spring and consider a battery backup or water-powered backup pump.
• Install a backwater valve where appropriate, with help from a licensed plumber and any required permits.
• Extend downspouts several feet from the foundation and regrade soil to slope away.
• Insulate pipes in unheated spaces and seal drafts.
• Shut off and drain outdoor spigots before winter, or install frost-free fixtures.
• Run a dehumidifier in basements during humid months.
• Inspect flat roofs on row homes regularly.

See our water damage prevention guide for more.

Common Water Damage Scenarios in Pennsylvania Homes

Row home roof leak affecting two households

A failed seam in a flat roof membrane can let water travel along the party wall and show up in a neighbor's ceiling as well as your own. Drying and repairs may involve two owners and two insurers. Communicating early with neighbors and documenting where water entered helps sort out responsibility later.

Stone foundation seepage after days of rain

In older homes with stone or rubble foundations, water may appear along the base of the walls or through mortar joints during extended wet weather. Finished basements built against these walls can hide wet drywall, framing, and carpet. Addressing drainage outside is usually part of the long-term fix, and the interior should be dried and inspected for mold.

Sump pump failure during a power outage

Summer storms and winter nor'easters can knock out power at exactly the moment a sump pump is needed. Basements can fill quickly. Battery or water-powered backup pumps reduce this risk. If the basement floods, keep away until power to the area is confirmed off.

Floor drain backup during a cloudburst

In areas with older or combined sewer infrastructure, a heavy downpour can push sewage-contaminated water up through basement floor drains. Anything porous that it touched, such as carpet, drywall, and cardboard boxes, is generally discarded, and hard surfaces are cleaned and sanitized. See sewage backup cleanup.

Frozen pipe in an exterior wall or addition

Kitchens and bathrooms on exterior walls, rear additions, and enclosed porches often have the least insulated plumbing. Pipes may freeze overnight during a cold snap and leak when the day warms up. Damage often spreads inside the wall cavity and into the floor system before it becomes visible.

Plaster ceiling damage from an upstairs leak

Plaster and lath ceilings in pre-war homes can hold a surprising amount of water and may sag or fall. Keep people out from under a bulging ceiling. Some plaster can be dried in place, but it requires careful assessment, and pre-1978 paint on plaster calls for lead-safe handling.

How Pennsylvania Markets Are Organized

Our Pennsylvania coverage spans three connected regions in the southeastern and eastern part of the state. Philadelphia and its suburbs include the dense row-home neighborhoods of the city along with older inner-ring suburbs and newer communities in surrounding counties. The Lehigh Valley, centered on Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, combines historic city neighborhoods with suburban growth. Berks County, centered on Reading, includes older urban housing alongside suburban and rural communities.

These regions share many risks, including basements, frozen pipes, and tropical remnants, but the mix of housing differs. City neighborhoods have more attached housing and combined sewer considerations, while suburban areas have more detached homes with finished basements and sump pumps. The markets below list their ZIP counts, and you can check any address on the service areas page.

Services Available in Pennsylvania Markets

• Emergency water damage restoration
• Basement water damage restoration
• Burst pipe water damage cleanup
• Sewage backup cleanup
• Flood damage restoration
• Mold and water damage
• Commercial water damage restoration

Licensing in Pennsylvania: the restoration work is performed by independent providers, and contractor licensing or registration rules in Pennsylvania depend on the type and size of the job. Before work starts, ask your provider for their Pennsylvania license or registration number and proof of liability insurance, and verify it with the state licensing board. Our guide to choosing a restoration company lists the questions to ask.

Helpful Pennsylvania Resources

• Pennsylvania Insurance Department: consumer guides and complaint process.
• Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA): preparedness and disaster recovery.
• NFIP FloodSmart: flood insurance information.
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center: flood zone lookup.
• National Weather Service: flood, winter storm, and freeze alerts.

For help in a covered Pennsylvania ZIP code, call (833) 435-4276 or visit the contact page. Our Pennsylvania markets are listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions