New Paltz · Highland · Marlboro · Wallkill
Water Damage Restoration in Ulster County, NY
The Ulster County communities we take calls from are in its southern end, between the Hudson River and the Shawangunk Ridge: New Paltz, Highland, Marlboro and Milton, Wallkill, Gardiner, Clintondale, Modena and West Park. It is a landscape of orchards, farms, river towns and a college village, with older homes, wells and septic systems and the Wallkill River running down the middle.
Ulster County at a glance
- Communities covered
- New Paltz, Highland, Marlboro, Milton, Wallkill, Gardiner and more
- Biggest local risks
- River flooding, frozen pipes, well and septic failures
- Contractor licensing
- No countywide license; written contract required over $500
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Local pages
Water damage help by community in Ulster County
Each page covers the local water damage risks, ZIP codes and first steps for that community.
Water damage risks in southern Ulster
The Wallkill River
The Wallkill flows north through Wallkill, Gardiner and New Paltz across wide, flat farmland. After heavy rain or snowmelt it spreads over its flats and floods low roads and nearby properties.
River bluffs on the Hudson
In Highland, Milton, Marlboro and West Park, the land climbs steeply from the Hudson. Runoff flows down slopes and driveways into basements and lower floors in heavy rain.
Historic stone and frame houses
From the Huguenot stone houses in New Paltz to old farmhouses throughout the area, many homes have stone foundations that let water through, older plumbing and roofs prone to ice dams.
Wells, septic and rentals
Most rural homes have wells and septic systems. In New Paltz, student rentals that sit partly empty over winter break are at higher risk of frozen pipes going unnoticed.
Spring thaw and basements
In southern Ulster, the worst basement water usually comes in late winter and spring, when snowmelt and rain saturate the ground at the same time. Stone and fieldstone foundations in older houses let groundwater seep in at many points, and newer homes rely on footing drains and sump pumps that can fail or freeze at the discharge.
Keep gutters and downspouts discharging well away from the house, test the sump pump before spring, and run a dehumidifier in the basement afterward. Groundwater seepage is usually excluded from homeowners insurance, so prevention matters.
Rentals in New Paltz
With SUNY New Paltz in the village, many houses are rented to students. Rentals that sit partly empty over winter break are at higher risk of frozen pipes going unnoticed, and more tenants mean more strain on plumbing and septic systems. Landlords are responsible for repairing the building and should keep the heat on and check units during breaks. Tenants need renters insurance for their belongings. See our landlord and tenant guide.
Which town are you in?
Many southern Ulster hamlets sit inside a larger town, which matters when you call a building department or water district.
| Community | Town |
|---|---|
| New Paltz | Town of New Paltz (with the Village of New Paltz) |
| Highland | Town of Lloyd |
| Marlboro and Milton | Town of Marlborough |
| Wallkill | Town of Shawangunk |
| Modena and Clintondale | Town of Plattekill |
| West Park | Town of Esopus |
| Gardiner | Town of Gardiner |
Hiring a restoration company in Ulster
- Ulster County does not have a countywide home improvement license. Ask for proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Get a written contract. New York requires one for home improvement work over $500.
- 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 Ulster County
This is the full list of Ulster County communities covered. If yours is not listed, call anyway: the team will tell you right away whether it can help.
Common questions
Water damage in Ulster County: common questions
Which Ulster County communities do you cover?
Calls are accepted from southern Ulster communities including New Paltz, Highland, Marlboro, Milton, Wallkill, Gardiner, Clintondale, Modena and West Park. The full list is below.
My house near the Wallkill flooded. Is it covered?
River water entering from outside is flood damage, covered only by a flood policy, not homeowners insurance. Document the damage and contact your flood insurer. If you do not have flood insurance, ask about FEMA assistance after declared disasters.
How do I shut off water if I have a well?
Turn off the well pump at its breaker, then close the valve after the pressure tank. Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines if a pipe has burst.
Can old stone foundations be kept dry?
Often, with exterior grading, gutters that discharge well away from the house, interior drainage and a sump pump, and a dehumidifier to control humidity. A waterproofing contractor can assess your specific foundation.
A pipe burst in my New Paltz rental over winter break. Who handles it?
The landlord is generally responsible for stopping the water and repairing the building, and tenants’ renters insurance covers their belongings. Whoever finds the leak should shut off the water and notify the other in writing right away.
Do you take calls from Kingston and northern Ulster?
The communities listed below, in southern Ulster, are the ones covered by this service. If you are elsewhere in the county, call anyway and the team will tell you right away whether it can help.
Local water damage help in Ulster County
Call (800) 000-0000, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.