Rockland · Orange · Putnam · Dutchess · Ulster
Water Damage Restoration in the Hudson Valley
North of New York City, the Hudson Valley trades sewers and apartment buildings for wells, septic systems, hillside lots and older river towns. Water damage here usually comes from three places: brooks and rivers that rise fast in intense storms, pipes that freeze in long cold winters, and well and septic systems that fail inside the house.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your part of the valley, any hour of the day.
Hudson Valley at a glance
- Counties with local pages
- Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and Ulster
- Biggest local risks
- Flash floods, frozen pipes, well and septic failures
- Recent major flood
- July 9, 2023, Highland Falls area
Answered 24/7 · free to call
By county
Find help in your part of the Hudson Valley
Rockland County
All Rockland County communitiesOrange County
All Orange County communitiesPutnam County
All Putnam County communitiesDutchess County
All Dutchess County communitiesStorms that shaped the valley’s flood risk
Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, 2011
In late August and early September 2011, Irene and then Lee dropped heavy rain on ground that was already saturated. Creeks and rivers across the Hudson Valley and the Catskills flooded homes, roads and bridges, many of them far from any mapped flood zone.
The July 2023 Highlands flash flood
On July 9, 2023, storms dropped about 8 inches of rain on the Hudson Highlands in a few hours. Roads into Highland Falls, Fort Montgomery and West Point washed out, homes flooded, and a Fort Montgomery woman died in the floodwater. See our Highland Falls page.
Wells and septic change the first steps
Many Hudson Valley homes have a private well and a septic system instead of public water and sewers. That changes what to do first when water damage happens.
| Situation | First step |
|---|---|
| Burst pipe, house on a well | Turn off the well pump at its breaker, then close the valve after the pressure tank |
| Burst pipe, house on public water | Close the main valve by the meter; the water department can shut the curb valve |
| Drains backing up, house on septic | Stop using water and call a septic service company to pump and inspect |
| Drains backing up, house on sewer | Stop using water and call a plumber and your municipality |
| Brook or river water coming in | Get to safety, then call your flood insurer once the water drops |
Licensing is different in each county
New York has no statewide home improvement license. In the Hudson Valley, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties require home improvement contractors to be licensed or registered with the county, while Orange, Ulster and Dutchess do not. In every county, state law requires a written contract for home improvement work over $500, and a contractor doing mold remediation over 10 square feet needs a New York State mold license.
Old river towns and historic houses
Newburgh, Cold Spring, Cornwall-on-Hudson and New Paltz have some of the oldest houses in the state: 19th-century brick rowhouses, Victorian frame houses and, on Historic Huguenot Street, stone houses from the early 1700s. Stone and brick foundations let groundwater through, plaster walls hide leaks, and plumbing has usually been replaced in pieces over the decades.
Older materials can often be saved. Plaster that is still firmly attached to its lath, solid wood floors and original trim can usually be dried in place if drying starts quickly. Ask the restoration company to measure moisture before recommending demolition.
Winter is the busy season
Inland Hudson Valley winters are much colder than the city’s. Pipes in garages, crawl spaces, additions and exterior walls freeze during January cold snaps, and ice dams form on roofs with limited attic insulation. Weekend and seasonal homes are especially at risk, because a burst pipe can run for days before anyone notices. Keep the heat at 55°F or higher and consider a low-temperature alarm or automatic shut-off valve. See burst and frozen pipes.
What we help with across the Hudson Valley
- Flooded basements, sump pump failures and spring groundwater
- Burst and frozen pipes, well tank and water heater leaks
- Septic and sewer backups
- Flash flood and storm damage
- Ceiling leaks from ice dams, roofs and bathrooms
- Commercial water damage for shops, offices and rentals
Common questions
Water damage in the Hudson Valley: common questions
Which parts of the Hudson Valley do you cover?
Calls are accepted from communities in Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and southern Ulster counties, with local pages for many of them. The company that answers confirms availability for your address.
Is flash flooding covered by homeowners insurance?
No. Water flowing in from outside, including overflowing brooks and surface runoff, is flood damage, covered only by a flood policy. Burst pipes and sudden appliance leaks are usually covered by homeowners insurance.
My house is on a well. How do I stop the water?
Turn off the well pump at its breaker, then close the valve right after the pressure tank. Opening a faucet on the lowest floor drains the remaining water from the lines.
How long do I have to start drying after water damage?
Start within 24 to 48 hours if you can. After that, mold can begin growing on wet drywall, carpet pad and wood. Professional drying usually takes three to five days.
Do I need flood insurance if I am not in a flood zone?
It is worth considering. Many flash flood losses in the Hudson Valley, including in 2011 and 2023, happened outside mapped high-risk zones, where flood insurance is usually much cheaper. National Flood Insurance Program policies generally take 30 days to start.
Water damage help anywhere in the Hudson Valley
Call (800) 000-0000, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.