Old Town Alexandria property owners can call ServiceMaster National Capital Restoration 24/7 for flood and water damage cleanup, fire and smoke restoration, and mold remediation. We are an Alexandria company, family owned and operated since 1986, and we know how to work with the brick rowhouses, plaster walls, and original wood floors that make Old Town repairs different.

Contact ServiceMaster NCR anytime for emergency restoration help.

Why does Old Town flood, and what does that mean for your building?

Old Town sits at the edge of the tidal Potomac, and the lowest blocks near the foot of King Street are the first to take on water. The City of Alexandria points to three sources of flooding along the waterfront:

• Potomac River water backing up into the sewer system
• River water coming over the existing bulkhead
• Rainwater runoff filling streets and storm sewers

The City describes this as frequent nuisance flooding and expects more intense rain and higher river levels ahead. Its Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project is designed to add a new bulkhead, pumping, and upgraded storm sewers. Bigger events happen too. National Weather Service records note flooding along the Potomac in Alexandria during Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

For a restoration crew, the source of the water matters as much as the depth. River water, storm runoff, and sewer backup are all treated as contaminated. Porous materials that soaked it up (carpet, pad, insulation, and the lower part of drywall are typical) usually need to be removed, and what remains is cleaned and sanitized before drying starts.

What to do if water is coming in

• Stay out of floodwater. It may be contaminated or hiding live electrical hazards.
• If you can do it safely, turn off power to the flooded level.
• Move valuables, rugs, and small furniture to a higher floor.
• Do not run fans across water that came from the river or a drain.
• Photograph the water line on walls and furniture.
• Call us for water damage restoration in Alexandria.

What causes water damage in Old Town when the river stays put?

Plenty of water damage in Old Town has nothing to do with the Potomac. It comes from inside buildings that have been standing a long time and updated many times over.

• Old supply and drain lines hidden behind plaster
• Roof and flashing leaks on flat and low-slope rowhouse roofs
• Leaks at chimneys, parapets, and old masonry
• Basements and cellars that seep after heavy rain
• Sewer backups during storms
• Bathroom and kitchen leaks in upper floors above shops and restaurants

Parts of Old Town still drain to a combined sewer system. AlexRenew, the city's wastewater utility, has been building the RiverRenew tunnel to address four combined sewer outfalls that date back to the 1860s. In a hard rain, older pipes like these can run out of room, which is one reason basement backups happen here.

How do you dry a historic building without damaging it?

Carefully, and with measurements. Plaster over wood lath, solid brick party walls, heart pine floors, and old trim all hold and release water differently from modern drywall and vinyl. Many of these materials can be saved if drying is controlled and they are not pulled out in a hurry.

Plaster on lath can hold moisture longer than drywall and may loosen from the lath, so we measure carefully and dry it in place when it remains sound. Solid brick walls absorb water and release it slowly, which often requires longer monitored drying with dehumidification. Original wood floors may cup or swell and can sometimes flatten as they dry, so we dry them gradually and check the subfloor before deciding on repairs. Historic trim and built-ins can develop open joints or cloudy finishes, and we protect, dry, and restore them when possible.

How is fire and smoke damage restored in a rowhouse or storefront?

In attached buildings, smoke does not respect property lines. It moves through shared attic space, gaps in old party walls, stairwells, and ductwork. A kitchen fire in a King Street restaurant can leave odor and residue in the apartments above and the shop next door.

Our fire and smoke work can include board-up, soot and residue removal, odor treatment, air filtration, contents cleaning and pack-out, removal of water left from firefighting, structural drying, and reconstruction. We test cleaning methods first, because old brick, plaster, and woodwork can be damaged by the wrong one.

Why is mold common in Old Town basements and cellars?

Mold needs moisture, and below-grade spaces in older masonry buildings tend to have it. Stone and brick foundations let dampness through, cellars often have little airflow, and a small plumbing leak can go unseen behind stored items for months.

Mold remediation starts with finding and fixing the water source. From there, the work can include containment, HEPA air filtration, removal of affected porous materials, detailed cleaning, and repairs.

Do repairs in Old Town need City approval?

Often, yes. Old Town falls within the Old and Historic Alexandria District, which the City calls the third oldest historic district in the nation. The neighboring Parker-Gray District is also locally regulated.

• The Board of Architectural Review or City preservation staff must approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations visible from a public way.
• A Permit to Demolish is required for demolition of more than 25 square feet of exterior material.
• Building permits and inspections are handled by the Department of Code Administration through the City's APEX portal.

Emergency work to stop further damage, such as water extraction, drying, and temporary board-up, is the first step. When the repair plan involves windows, roofing, masonry, or other exterior work, we flag it early so approvals can be requested before reconstruction begins.

Do you work with Old Town businesses and property managers?

Yes. We restore restaurants, shops, galleries, hotels, offices, churches, and mixed-use buildings with apartments over retail. We know that a closed storefront on King Street is lost income, so we talk through work hours, contained work areas, and what can stay open when conditions allow.

Our commercial services include commercial water damage restoration and storm damage restoration, with documentation for owners, managers, and tenants.

Where in Old Town do you work?

We serve all of Old Town and ZIP code 22314, including:

• The waterfront, lower King Street, Union Street, and The Strand
• King Street from the river to the King Street Metro
• Washington Street, Duke Street, Prince Street, and Queen Street
• Old Town North, Parker-Gray, and the Southeast Quadrant
• Properties near Market Square, City Hall, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Waterfront Park
• Nearby Carlyle, Rosemont, and Del Ray

We also serve properties throughout Alexandria and the surrounding area.

Frequently asked questions

Can wet plaster be saved?

Sometimes. If the plaster is still bonded to the lath and the water was clean, it can often be dried in place. If it has loosened, crumbled, or was soaked by contaminated water, sections may need to come out. We check before we cut.

My basement flooded during a storm. Is that river water or sewer water?

It can be either, or both. In Old Town, tidal water, street runoff, and sewer backup can all end up in the same basement. Because we cannot assume it is clean, we treat it as contaminated and clean accordingly.

Do I need Board of Architectural Review approval to fix storm damage?

Interior drying and repairs generally do not involve the Board. Exterior changes that can be seen from a public way usually do need approval, even after a storm. City preservation staff can tell you what applies to your address.

Will insurance cover flood damage?

That depends on your policy. Flood coverage is often separate from a standard property policy, so check with your agent or insurer. We document the damage and our work and can share that record with your adjuster.

How long does drying take in an old brick building?

It varies with the materials, how much water got in, and how long it sat. Dense materials like brick and plaster take longer than modern drywall. We monitor moisture readings and stop when the structure is dry, not on a fixed schedule.

Need water, fire, or mold damage help in Old Town Alexandria?

Whether it is a flooded cellar on Union Street, a kitchen fire above a shop, or mold behind a plaster wall, ServiceMaster National Capital Restoration is ready to help homeowners and businesses in Old Town. Contact us and we will inspect the damage and explain the next steps.