In New York, water damage often comes from above. In apartment buildings, co ops and brownstones, a leak in one unit quickly becomes a problem for the units below, and old pipes, steam radiators and heavy storms add to the risk. Fast action limits how far the water travels.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent water damage restoration provider that serves the New York area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Why water damage happens in New York
Leaks from upstairs
In multi unit buildings, an overflowing tub, a failed washing machine hose or a cracked pipe upstairs can soak ceilings and walls several floors down.
Old pipes and steam heat
Many buildings are decades old, with aging pipes and steam radiators whose valves and vents can leak.
Basement flooding in storms
The remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021 flooded streets and basement apartments across the city within hours.
Coastal storms
Hurricane Sandy in 2012 pushed storm surge into low lying parts of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
Areas across New York
Sifixit connects callers across the city of New York, including all five boroughs, including neighborhoods such as Harlem, the Upper West Side, Park Slope, Bushwick, Astoria, Flushing, Riverdale and St. George, and nearby places such as Yonkers, Jersey City, Hoboken and Long Island.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in New York. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of New York, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the NYC Department of Buildings. Homes in other cities, such as Yonkers, Jersey City or Long Island, follow the rules of that city or county.
New York State licenses mold assessors and mold remediators, and home improvement contractors working in the city need a license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
Seasonal risks in New York
Never walk or drive through flood water. Moving water just six inches deep can knock a person down. Call 911 if you are in danger.
- Winter: frozen and burst pipes, and radiator leaks.
- Summer: intense downpours can overwhelm sewers and flood basements.
- Hurricane season: tropical storms bring heavy rain and coastal flooding.
- All year: leaks between units in multi unit buildings.
Be prepared
- Know where the shut off valve is for your unit, and for the building
- Keep valuables off basement floors
- Clear floor drains and outdoor drains before storms
- Check whether your home is in a flood zone on the NYC flood maps or FEMA maps
- Make sure your renters or co op insurance covers water damage from other units
Learn more before you call
Our main water damage restoration guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in New York just as it does everywhere else.
New York questions
Who pays when water from another apartment damages mine?
It depends on where the leak started, your lease or building rules and each party’s insurance. Tell your building management in writing and photograph the damage quickly.
I rent. Who fixes mold after a leak?
New York City law requires landlords to fix mold and the leaks that cause it in many rental buildings. Report it to your landlord in writing, and call 311 if it is not fixed.
Does insurance cover flooding in New York?
Standard homeowners and renters policies do not cover flood water from outside. That needs separate flood insurance.
Does Sifixit have an office in New York?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the New York area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.