Roofing in Union, NJ: Rahway River Floods and Trees on Wires
What do Union's roofs face besides rain? The county's hazard plan names two wind dangers: structural damage and power loss from trees falling on lines. After Sandy, the county report shows downed trees and damaged lines in the township. If shingles are missing or a limb has landed, call (862) 358-4524 and describe it. Storm-damaged roofs is a page worth reading first.
Where the water goes
The Rahway's east branch, the Vauxhall branch and yearly flooding
Union County's 2015 hazard plan update calls overbank flooding from the East Branch of the Rahway River the most significant flood source in Union Township. The Vauxhall Branch, a tributary, is behind two smaller floodplain areas. It says minor flooding happens at least annually and that some level of flooding every year or two is probable.
The plan counts 38 repetitive-loss properties in the township, 5.4 percent of the county's 707 as of February 2014. It lists 603 parcels with at least 60 percent of their area in the 100-year floodplain, and adds that this count is not particularly reliable as a risk indicator.
Have these ready
Before you call from Union
Have the street address, the room where water shows and the roof's age if known. If the house is in Vauxhall, an unincorporated part of the township with its own ZIP, 07088, say so.
Tenants tell the landlord or property manager first. Owners can call (862) 358-4524. A wire down is a call to 911 or PSE&G, which lists Union Township in its electric territory.
Around town
Union south of Maplewood
Union sits on the northern edge of Union County, with Maplewood to its north, Irvington to its northeast, Millburn to its northwest and Springfield Township to its west. Hillside, Elizabeth, Kenilworth and Roselle Park lie to the east and south. The township's address is 1976 Morris Avenue, phone 908-688-2800.
More on the neighbors: Maplewood roofing, Irvington roofing and Millburn roofing.
Numbers for this town
Union by the numbers
- 24.6%
Share of Union's housing that was renter-occupied, against 30.5% for the county
Union County hazard plan update, 2015 - 56,642
Population in 2010
Union County hazard plan update, 2015 - 38
Repetitive-loss properties, 5.4% of the county's 707 as of February 2014
Union County hazard plan update, 2015 - $243,600
Seventeen SBA disaster home loans after Sandy
Union County recovery report, 2014
Three questions
Questions from Union
What does the county plan say about wind in Union?
It names two main sources of wind damage: structural damage and power loss from trees falling on lines. Its estimates put annual straight-line wind damage at $812,545 and annual power-loss risk at $437,567. The county's Sandy report shows downed trees and damaged lines in the township.
Where do I ask about roofing paperwork in Union?
The township's home page lists 1976 Morris Avenue and 908-688-2800 but no building department page, and the state's list of regional code offices has no Union County entries. Ask the township. The state treats reroofing or repair on detached homes of one or two units as ordinary maintenance.
Who can call from Union?
Owners and landlords of Union and Vauxhall houses can call (862) 358-4524 with the address, the damage and the roof's age. Tenants take it to the landlord or property manager. A description from the yard is plenty to begin.
Through the seasons
Eighty nights a year near the freezing line
Newark Airport's 1991-2020 normals add up to about 80 days a year with an overnight low of 32 degrees or colder. By month: 22.6 in January, 20.0 in February, 17.5 in December, 12.4 in March and 6.0 in November. That is a long run of freeze and thaw for shingles and gutters.
Newark is the station, so a Union street may differ by a few days.