What makes Marmet different?
Marmet is a small town on the Kanawha River upriver from Charleston, with Chesapeake nearby, both in the 25315 ZIP code. The river is a constant presence; Marmet Locks and Dam is on this stretch of the Kanawha. Homes line the low ground near the water and follow creek valleys back into the hills.
Like other river and hollow communities in the county, Marmet faces two kinds of flooding: the river rising over hours or days, and creeks rising in minutes during intense storms. Many homes are older, often on crawl spaces, which adds frozen pipes and damp crawl spaces to the list.
Flooding in Marmet and Chesapeake
River and creek floodwater is contaminated. It carries silt, sewage, fuel and debris, and it leaves mud behind. After a flood, drywall, insulation and flooring that the water touched are removed, mud is cleared before it dries hard, everything is cleaned and disinfected, and the structure is dried, often for a week or more. Storm and flood damage walks through each step, and emergency water removal covers the first hours.
Turn around, don’t drownNever drive or walk through floodwater on roads. A few inches of moving water can knock a person down, and a foot or two can float a car.
Frozen pipes and crawl spaces
Older homes on crawl spaces have plumbing exposed to the cold. In a hard freeze, a split supply line can flood the crawl space and soak the floor above before anyone notices. Burst pipe water damage explains how that is dried, and insulating exposed pipes is the best prevention.
Fire and smoke damage
After a house fire, a building left open to rain deteriorates quickly. Emergency board-up secures windows, doors and roof openings, and smoke damage cleanup removes the residue that spreads through every room.
Mold after floods and in crawl spaces
Mold is the long tail of a flood. Homes that took on water, and crawl spaces that stay damp, are where it shows up. Mold after flooding and crawl space mold cover how it is removed and how to keep it from returning.
Preparing for high water
- Keep important documents, medications and photos in a waterproof container you can grab quickly.
- Move vehicles to higher ground when flooding is forecast.
- Photograph your home and belongings now, so you have a record of what you own.
Nearby areas
Marmet is upriver from Kanawha City and across from Malden and Rand, with South Hills between it and downtown. Calls from every part of the county are covered as part of the Charleston damage restoration on this site.
Call to be connected with an independent local provider who works in 25315.
Marmet water damage FAQs
How soon can cleanup start after a flood?
As soon as the water has gone down and it is safe to enter, with power shut off. The sooner mud and wet materials come out, the less mold and odor there will be.
Is help available in Chesapeake?
Yes. Chesapeake is in the 25315 ZIP code and calls from there are covered.
Can furniture be saved after floodwater?
Solid wood furniture can sometimes be cleaned and dried. Upholstered furniture, mattresses and particleboard that sat in floodwater usually cannot be made safe.