Winter brings most of the trouble
Spokane winters are long and cold, with about 72 freeze-thaw cycles in an average year according to NOAA's engineering weather data. Burst pipes, ice dams and snowmelt cause a large share of local water damage. Pipes in exterior walls, unheated garages, crawlspaces and basements near outside walls are the most vulnerable. Know where your main water shutoff is, keep the heat on when you're away, and on the coldest nights open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls.
Ice dams and roof leaks
NOAA's data lists a 50-year ground snow load of 42 pounds per square foot for Spokane. Heavy snow on roofs, combined with heat escaping from the house, creates ice dams at the eaves that force meltwater under shingles and into walls and ceilings. Stains near exterior walls, wet insulation in the attic and water dripping from window frames in late winter often point to ice dams. A restoration contractor can dry the affected areas; a roofer or insulation contractor can fix the cause.
Snowmelt, spring runoff and basements
When snow melts quickly, water collects against foundations and finds its way into basements through cracks, window wells and floor-wall joints. Keep downspouts discharging well away from the house, keep window wells clear, and grade soil to slope away from the foundation. A joint City of Spokane and Spokane County codes policy sets frost depth at 24 inches for footings, but water trapped against foundation walls and freezing can still widen small cracks. If water comes in every spring, have the source evaluated before finishing the basement.
Sump pumps are common in Spokane-area basements. Test yours in fall and again before spring melt, and consider a battery backup in case storms knock out power.
Drying through the winter
In winter, opening windows to dry a house just lets in cold air that slows evaporation. Professional drying uses dehumidifiers and air movers, and sometimes heat, to control indoor conditions. Drying is done when moisture readings in the affected materials match dry areas of the house, not when surfaces feel dry. Ask the contractor for the daily logs.
Protecting the aquifer
Spokane's drinking water comes from the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, a sole source aquifer. Water from sewage backups and any chemical cleaners used during cleanup should be disposed of properly, not pumped onto the ground or into storm drains. Ask the contractor how they handle disposal.
Before you hire
Ask Spokane restoration contractors how they handle frozen pipe and basement losses, how they'll document the job for your insurer, whether they bill the insurer directly, and whether they rebuild. Use L&I's contractor lookup to check their Washington registration, bond and insurance before you sign.