Water damage repair in Stoughton, near Canton

What Stoughton homeowners deal with

Stoughton, near Canton and served with the Taunton area, has a larger share of pre-1980 homes than Norfolk County: 72%, against 68% countywide, and 25% were built before 1950. Older houses here often have basements, cast iron drains and copper or galvanized supply lines that run along cold foundation walls.

Cold and snow shape the risk. NOAA's climate normals show 139 nights a year at or below 32 degrees, against 129 for the county, and 54 at 20 degrees or colder, and the town averages 70 inches of snow. Ice forms at the eaves of older roofs and pushes meltwater into ceilings and walls, where water-stained ceiling repair waits until the framing is dry.

With 23% of homes rented and 17% in buildings of 5 or more units, most leaks fall to owners. FEMA's National Risk Index puts yearly inland flood loss at 44 per $100,000 of building value, below the county's 61, but basement seepage after snowmelt can happen every spring and is usually excluded from homeowners policies. Only 1.5% of Norfolk County homes carry federal flood insurance.

The first hour in Stoughton

Stoughton's homes are older, with 72% built before 1980 and 25% before 1950, and the main shutoff in those houses is usually in the basement where the water line comes through the foundation. Close it, and if it is an old gate valve that will not turn, use the fixture valves under sinks and toilets. Next, turn off power to the basement and any room where water drips from a ceiling light. Photograph the damage room by room. Move boxes, rugs and electronics to dry ground. With 54 nights a year at 20 degrees or colder, a split pipe in an outside wall is a likely cause, so keep the heat on until burst pipe cleanup starts. The line is answered 24/7 throughout the Taunton area.