Tallmadge and Barberton are two of the older established Summit County communities adjacent to Akron, both with their own distinct character and housing-stock profiles. We respond throughout both cities 24/7.
Tallmadge
Tallmadge is centered on its iconic historic circle — one of the few intact 19th-century town circles in Ohio — with the surrounding residential neighborhoods radiating out from it. The housing stock around the circle and along the older streets includes a substantial number of pre-1940 homes, with the typical issues we see in older Northeast Ohio housing: original galvanized supply lines, cast-iron drains, stone or block basements without modern drainage, and limited wall-cavity insulation.
The newer Tallmadge developments, particularly on the city’s southern and eastern edges, are largely 1970s-2000s construction with full basements and the newer-construction issues we see throughout Stow and similar suburbs.
Common Tallmadge water damage events:
Basement seepage in homes near the circle. Stone foundations from the late 1800s and early 1900s leak during heavy rain and spring snowmelt.
Frozen pipe events. Older Tallmadge homes have the same exterior-wall pipe vulnerabilities as Akron’s older neighborhoods.
Sump pump failures. Typical Northeast Ohio basement issue.
Roof leaks during ice damming. Mature trees throughout Tallmadge produce roof damage during winter freeze-thaw cycles.
Barberton
Barberton, southwest of Akron, was founded as a planned industrial community in 1891 by Ohio Columbus Barber. The original housing stock from the 1890s-1920s industrial era remains a significant portion of Barberton’s housing inventory, particularly in the West Side and South Side neighborhoods and around Lake Anna. These homes are now 100-130 years old, with original infrastructure long past service life.
Common Barberton water damage events:
Galvanized and cast iron failures in West Side homes. Original plumbing in 100+ year old homes is failing routinely. We respond often to supply line and drain stack failures throughout these neighborhoods.
Lake Anna area water issues. Homes near Lake Anna have higher water tables and more aggressive basement moisture issues than homes on higher ground.
Combined sewer issues. Like Akron, parts of Barberton have older combined storm-and-sanitary sewer infrastructure that surcharges during heavy rain. Basement floor drain backups during major rain events are a regular call.
Frozen pipes during deep cold. Pre-1920 housing with minimal insulation produces a high rate of frozen pipe events during multi-day deep cold snaps.
Older industrial-area housing. Some Barberton neighborhoods have housing built originally as worker housing for the Diamond Match Company, the Stirling Boiler Company, and other founding-era industries. These homes are small, often built quickly and without much margin for failure, and are now well over a century old.
Working in Older Industrial-Era Housing
Restoration work in Barberton’s oldest neighborhoods and Tallmadge’s pre-1940 housing requires attention to historic preservation considerations and to the specific construction methods of the period. Original wood lath and plaster, rough-sawn dimensional lumber framing, original hardwood flooring, and period millwork all need careful handling during demolition and restoration.
We approach restoration in these neighborhoods with extra care:
- We document existing finish conditions thoroughly before any demolition
- We try to dry rather than replace whenever possible
- We coordinate with restoration carpenters and plaster specialists when needed
- We work with insurance adjusters who understand that 1910 construction restoration isn’t the same as 1995 construction restoration
Service Throughout the Area
In addition to Tallmadge and Barberton proper, we serve:
- Norton — adjacent to Barberton
- Wadsworth — for emergencies (Medina County)
- Mogadore — east of Akron
- Lakemore — east of Akron
- Brimfield — Portage County, for emergencies
- Coventry Township — South of Akron
Call Now
(555) 555-5555 — 24/7 throughout Tallmadge, Barberton, and surrounding communities. Older homes need fast response — water gets into more places, faster, in homes with original construction.