Foundation repair in Old Forge, PA
Old Forge, in Lackawanna County, sits above a flooded mine pool that drains through the Old Forge borehole.
Homes and foundations in Old Forge
A 1983 U.S. Geological Survey report found the Old Forge borehole had the largest mine-water discharge in the Scranton-to-Pittston stretch, measured at 97 cubic feet per second on its sampling day. The Lackawanna River Corridor Association says the borehole may discharge about 100 million gallons of acid mine drainage a day into the Lackawanna near the Union Street Bridge. Both point to a large flooded mine pool under and around the borough.
About 28% of homes in Old Forge were built before 1940, and about 51% before 1960. The median home was built in 1960. About 70% of homes are owner-occupied.
What to watch for in Old Forge homes
A mix of older stone and block foundations and mid-century block walls. Watch for:
- Stair-step or horizontal cracks in block walls. See bowing basement wall repair.
- Water at the floor joint in spring. See basement waterproofing.
- Worn mortar in the oldest houses. See stone foundation repair.
Sending a request from Old Forge
Send a request with your ZIP code (18518), what you are seeing, and roughly when the house was built. We pass it to an independent local foundation repair contractor who serves Old Forge. They contact you to set up a visit and explain any fee. If no contractor can take it, we let you know.
Nearby towns: Duryea, Pittston. All towns: service area.
Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, via Census Reporter. Local facts: USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4274; Lackawanna River Corridor Association.