Highlands is a residential neighborhood in Middletown, less than two miles from downtown. A neighborhood guide on Homes.com places Central Avenue on its northern edge and describes sloping, tree-lined streets. The same guide lists Gladell Park and Goldman Park nearby, and it describes a mix of house styles from late nineteenth century Victorians to ranch homes built in recent decades.
Water damage in a mix of homes like this has several causes. A failed supply line, a leaking water heater, a roof leak and heavy rain at a basement wall are all possible. This page explains how each is handled and what to do while you wait. If water is moving now, call (844) 950-6900.
Getting Your Bearings in Highlands
Gladell Park is a recognizable anchor in the area and Goldman Park lies to the south. Central Avenue runs along the northern side and leads toward downtown. We use these as landmarks and do not claim official boundaries for Highlands.
If you are not sure whether your address falls inside the area we mean, call and tell us your street. We will confirm it before we schedule anything.
Basement Water and Runoff on Sloped Streets
On a sloped street, rain runs toward the lowest point. Window wells, basement stairwells and low exterior doors are the places to check first. Gutters that spill beside the foundation can add water where you do not want it.
Basements are not described as universal in Highlands. Some houses have full basements, some partial and some none. Do not assume what your home has. Look, and tell the crew what you find.
Sewer backup is different from groundwater
Water that comes up through a floor drain or toilet is not the same as clean seepage. Treat it as contaminated. Keep people and pets out of the room and call a professional. Our sewage backup page explains the process.
The City of Middletown runs a Backwater Prevention Assistance program. Its application says it helps eligible owners pay part of the cost of a device that blocks sewer backups. The city states that eligible properties must connect to its combined sewer system and be susceptible to basement flooding when that system surcharges, and that surcharging happens almost exclusively when it rains.
The city decides who qualifies. If a basement floods when it is not raining, the program page says the cause may be a sewer lateral problem and suggests a plumber check the line. A restoration crew cleans up and dries. A plumber or the city handles the line itself.
If Water Is Rising or Spreading in Highlands
Stay out of standing water
Do not walk into water if lights, outlets or appliances may be live. Keep children and pets away.
Stop clean water sources
Close the fixture, appliance or main shutoff if it is safe to reach.
Move what you can
Lift valuables and papers to dry shelves. Leave heavy items and anything that needs a team.
Call us
Call (844) 950-6900. If the water came up from a drain, tell us so we can treat it as contaminated.
Pipe, Heater and Roof Leaks
Supply lines and fixtures
A failed supply line or a leaking tub can wet a ceiling below. Start with the shutoff at the fixture, then call. See our burst pipe page.
Water heaters and appliances
A leaking tank or washer hose can spread under flooring. Our appliance leak page lists what to check.
Storm and roof leaks
Wind driven rain can find worn flashing. Interior drying starts while the roof is secured. See our storm cleanup page.
Water in a Highlands basement or ceiling? Call (844) 950-6900 and tell us what you see.
Call (844) 950-6900Drying and Documentation
The usual sequence is extraction, moisture mapping, drying with air movers and dehumidifiers, and recorded readings until the structure is dry. Professional crews commonly use the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard as a reference for this work.
Photograph the damage and keep notes. Coverage depends on the cause of the loss and your policy, so call your insurer or agent to learn what applies.
About the Information on This Page
Neighborhood descriptions come from Homes.com's Highlands neighborhood guide and the City of Middletown's Backwater Prevention Assistance application. Those descriptions are listing-site and city program information, not a survey. Neighborhood-specific FEMA flood-zone status has not been verified for this page. Check an address with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or the Butler County Department of Development.
Sherman is a nearby neighborhood off Central Avenue. See our Sherman page if your home is closer to that side of town.
Highlands questions
Yes. Call (844) 950-6900 with your street address and we will confirm it. We use Central Avenue, Gladell Park and Goldman Park as landmarks and do not claim official boundaries.
No one can say that for every house. Homes vary, so check your own and tell the crew what you find. Our approach is based on what the readings and the structure show.
The City of Middletown has a Backwater Prevention Assistance program for eligible owners. Eligibility is decided by the city. A restoration crew cleans up after a backup, but it does not decide program eligibility.
Stay out of the water if electrical hazards are possible, stop any clean water source and photograph the damage when it is safe. Then call (844) 950-6900. If water came from a drain, treat it as contaminated.
We have not verified neighborhood-specific FEMA flood-zone status for Highlands. Check an address with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. Water damage can also come from plumbing, appliances and roof leaks.
Call about water damage in Highlands
Describe what you see on the phone. Call (844) 950-6900 and we will talk through the next steps.