Highland Shreveport — Water Damage Risk Guide

Highland is the crown jewel of Shreveport's historic neighborhoods. Grand homes from the early 1900s line streets shaded by mature oaks and magnolias. But behind those impressive facades, Highland homeowners battle water damage risks that are unique to century-old construction in Louisiana's subtropical climate.

Historic Foundations and Water Intrusion

Highland's homes were built primarily between 1900 and 1940 on pier-and-beam foundations. Over 80 to 120 years, these foundations have experienced settling, mortar deterioration, and shifting from Louisiana's clay soil. The result is a network of small cracks and gaps that allow water entry during Shreveport's intense rain events.

Shreveport averages 51 inches of rain per year, with the heaviest periods from March through June. During a typical spring storm dumping 2 to 3 inches in an hour, water pools against Highland's old foundations and finds every available gap. Crawlspaces flood, pier blocks shift, and moisture wicks up into wood floor joists.

What to do: Have your foundation inspected annually by a structural engineer familiar with historic homes ($300 to $500). Seal visible cracks with hydraulic cement. Ensure your lot grades away from the foundation on all sides. Install French drains along problem walls ($1,500 to $4,000 per side).

Galvanized Plumbing at End of Life

Most Highland homes that have not been remodeled still have original galvanized steel supply lines. Galvanized pipes have a lifespan of 40 to 60 years. Highland's pipes are 80 to 120 years old. They are not just past their lifespan; they are decades past it.

Galvanized pipes corrode from the inside, reducing water flow and building up rust deposits. Eventually, pinhole leaks develop, usually behind walls where they go undetected. A pinhole leak releasing 2 gallons per hour deposits 48 gallons of water into your wall cavity every day. By the time you see a water stain on the wall, the damage behind it may be extensive.

What to do: If your Highland home has original galvanized plumbing, plan for a full repipe to copper or PEX ($4,000 to $10,000 depending on home size). In the meantime, a plumbing pressure test ($75 to $150) can detect hidden leaks in the system.

Louisiana Humidity and Chronic Moisture

Even without a specific water event, Highland homes deal with chronic moisture challenges. Shreveport's summer humidity regularly exceeds 80 percent. In homes without modern HVAC systems or with inadequate ventilation, this humidity condenses on cool surfaces, promotes mold growth, and slowly deteriorates building materials.

Highland's crawlspaces are particularly vulnerable. Without vapor barriers, Louisiana's humid air saturates the soil under your home, keeping wood floor joists chronically damp. Over years, this leads to wood rot, sagging floors, and musty odors that permeate the living space.

Storm Drainage Challenges

Highland's streets were laid out before modern storm drainage standards. The neighborhood's mature tree canopy drops leaves that clog storm drains. During heavy rain, water backs up in streets and pushes against home foundations.

Neighboring Broadmoor experiences even more severe drainage issues, but Highland is not immune. Properties on the lower end of Highland's gentle topography collect runoff from higher-elevation lots.

Protecting Your Highland Home

1. Crawlspace vapor barrier: Install a 6-mil or heavier polyethylene vapor barrier over all exposed soil in your crawlspace ($1,500 to $3,500). This single improvement reduces chronic moisture by 70 percent or more.
2. Gutter maintenance: Clean gutters quarterly (Highland's oaks drop debris year-round). Extend downspouts at least 6 feet from the foundation.
3. Sump pump installation: If your crawlspace collects water during storms, a sump pump with battery backup ($600 to $1,200 installed) provides active protection.
4. Dehumidifier in crawlspace: A commercial-grade crawlspace dehumidifier ($1,000 to $1,800) keeps moisture levels below the 60 percent threshold where mold grows.
5. Insurance review: Ensure you have sewer backup coverage and consider flood insurance even if you are not in a FEMA flood zone. Read our guide on insurance coverage for details.

Highland's historic homes deserve preservation, and water damage is their greatest threat. If you need a professional assessment of your Highland home's water damage risk, or if you are currently dealing with water damage, contact us for a free consultation. We connect Highland homeowners with restoration professionals who specialize in historic properties.