Water Damage Restoration in Orange County, NY

Water damage risks across Orange County

Highlands flash floods

The steep, rocky Hudson Highlands turn heavy rain into fast-moving runoff. On July 9, 2023, about 8 inches of rain fell on the Highland Falls area in a few hours, washing out roads, flooding homes and killing a woman in Fort Montgomery. Homes near brooks and at the bottom of slopes are most exposed.

Creeks and the Wallkill

Moodna Creek through Washingtonville, Salisbury Mills and Cornwall, and the Wallkill River through Montgomery and Walden, rise quickly in heavy rain and snowmelt and flood low-lying properties along their banks.

Old river-city buildings

Newburgh’s East End has one of the largest collections of 19th-century buildings in the state. Brick rowhouses with shared walls, flat roofs and old plumbing mean roof leaks, frozen pipes and water spreading between houses.

Wells, septic and long winters

Outside the city and villages, many homes have private wells and septic systems. Burst well lines, failed pressure tanks and septic backups add to the usual winter freeze damage.

Spring snowmelt and wet basements

Late winter and early spring bring the most basement calls in Orange County after the winter freeze season. Melting snow and spring rain saturate the ground, groundwater rises against foundation walls, and sump pumps run for days. A pump that fails, or loses power in a storm, lets water rise quickly.

Groundwater seepage is usually excluded from homeowners insurance, and sump pump overflow is often covered only with a water backup endorsement. Test your sump pump before spring, keep the discharge line clear of ice, and consider a battery backup.

First steps for Orange County homes

1. Stop the water

   On public water, close the main valve by the meter. On a well, turn off the pump at its breaker, then close the valve after the pressure tank.

2. Stay safe

   Stay out of water near outlets or the electrical panel. If floodwater is rising, leave and call 911 if anyone is trapped. Never drive through a flooded road.

3. Handle backups as contaminated water

   On septic, stop using water and call a septic service company. On sewer, call a plumber and your municipality.

4. Document and call

   Photograph everything before cleanup, then call for extraction and drying. Mold can begin within 24 to 48 hours.

Hiring a restoration company in Orange County

Orange County does not have a countywide home improvement license. That makes it more important to check a company yourself.

• Ask for proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
• Get a written contract. New York’s General Business Law requires one for home improvement work over $500, including a three-day right to cancel in most cases.
• Ask for daily moisture readings and photos for your insurer.
• For mold over 10 square feet, New York requires a licensed mold assessor and a separate licensed remediator.

Every community we take calls from in Orange County

This is the full list of Orange County communities covered. If yours is not listed, call anyway: the team will tell you right away whether it can help.