Washington Township basement risk at a glance
| Basement Risk Index | 7 / 100 (LOWER) |
| Metro rank | #109 of 116 |
| Homes built before 1960 | 10% |
| Peak building era | 2000s (23% of homes) |
| Median year built | 1995 |
| Median home value | $408,400 |
| Median household income | $97,723 |
| Owner-occupied | 81% |
| Neighborhoods analyzed | 5 |
Washington Township's score is modeled from U.S. Census housing data; no municipal flood records are integrated yet. The Basement Risk Index is built from U.S. Census housing data and documented flood records. See our full methodology.
When Washington Township was built
Washington Township's housing is spread across several decades, peaking in the two-thousands at about 23% of today's homes; relatively few of the stock, 10%, predates 1960. These are higher-value homes for the metro, and basements built before the 1960s typically lack the sump pumps, perimeter drain tile, and backwater valves that became standard later, leaving many on their original clay drain tiles.
How basement risk varies inside Washington Township
We score 5 individual neighborhoods inside Washington Township, and the pattern is skewed to the lower bands: 0 fall in the high or very high band, 0 are elevated, and 5 are moderate or lower. The number that matters is the one for your own block, not the city average.
What this means for Washington Township homeowners
Washington Township scores toward the lower end of the metro range, largely because of its newer housing. Risk is still real on clay soil, so watch for symptoms after heavy rain. Among its immediate neighbors, Washington Township scores lower than Ray Township, so the block next door is a better guide than any metro-wide average.
Why Washington Township homes face basement risk
Basement risk in Washington Township comes down to two things: how old its houses are and the clay beneath them. With relatively few of its homes, 10%, built before 1960 and the biggest share going up in the two-thousands, many sit on original clay drain tile, and southeast Michigan's dense clay holds water against those foundations rather than letting it drain.
How Washington Township compares
Washington Township's Index of 7 ranks #109 of 116 communities region-wide and sits below the metro Detroit median of 37. It runs level with its nearby neighbor Oakland Township.
Does insurance cover it?
Often not. Standard Michigan homeowners policies commonly exclude sewer backup and groundwater unless you carry a specific endorsement. Before the next storm, it is worth reading our guide on whether insurance covers sewer backup in Michigan and checking your declarations page.
What to do about it
- Lower risk is not zero risk on the region's clay soil, a free prevention check takes about 30 minutes.
- Watch for symptoms after storms; what you see at your own home matters more than any average.
- Maintain gutters and grading, the two cheapest protections any Michigan home has.
Hiring in Washington Township?
We keep public-record profiles of metro Detroit basement waterproofing contractors, drawn from their own listings and Michigan licensing records. No ratings and no pay-to-play, just the record. Browse the contractor records →
See Washington Township on the full metro Detroit Basement Risk Index map →