Roofing in West Orange, NJ: Streams and 17,870 Housing Units
What does a township with 17,870 housing units, give or take 616, ask of its roofs? Mostly good rain handling, since the state says flooding has reached most of the low-lying land along West Orange's open streams. Seen a stain or a drooping gutter? Call (862) 358-4524 and describe it. Leak and shingle repair is the usual first page.
Where the water goes
Open streams and a river branch that flooded end to end
The state's Essex County report says West Orange has been affected by flooding in most of its low-lying areas along open stream courses. The West Branch of the Rahway has flooded along its entire length, and the East Fork of the East Branch is a major flood area.
The report puts 3.7 percent of the land, 286 acres, in the 1 percent annual-chance zone, with 2,387 residents, 5.2 percent, living there. It counts 6 repetitive-loss properties and a Sandy ratable loss of $549,300, the second highest among the ten most affected municipalities.
Have these ready
Before you call from West Orange
Have the street address, which room shows water plus the roof's age, if a date exists. Photos from the yard help, and so does a note about which way the rain came from.
Tenants tell the landlord first. Owners can call (862) 358-4524. A wire down is a call to 911 or PSE&G, which lists West Orange in its electric territory.
Around town
West Orange north of Maplewood
West Orange borders Maplewood on the north, alongside South Orange, so a call from either town reaches the same contractor. Town Hall stands at 66 Main Street.
Neighboring pages: Maplewood roofing, South Orange roofing and Millburn roofing.
Numbers for this town
West Orange by the numbers
- 17,870
Housing units, give or take 616
Census Reporter, ACS 2024 five-year - $557,300
Median value of owner-occupied homes, give or take $24,326
Census Reporter, ACS 2024 five-year - 286acres
Land in the 1 percent annual-chance flood zone, 3.7 percent
NJ Department of Community Affairs, Essex County report - 2,387residents
Living in that zone, 5.2 percent of the township
NJ Department of Community Affairs, Essex County report
Three questions
Questions from West Orange
Where do I ask about roofing paperwork in West Orange?
The Building, Construction and Code Enforcement office is at 66 Main Street, Room 217, phone (973) 325-4112, open weekdays, 8:30 to 4:30. Inspection requests go through an online form because phone requests are no longer taken. The page does not mention roofing, and the state calls reroofing or repair on detached homes of one or two units ordinary maintenance, so ask.
What does the township say about inspections?
A copy of the permit is posted at the job site, with approved plans kept there. The office lists penalties starting at $2,000 for not calling for required rough and final inspections. Field inspection hours are 9:30 to noon and 1 to 4 on weekdays.
Who can call from West Orange?
Landlords and owners of West Orange houses may call (862) 358-4524 with the address, the room where water shows and the roof's age. Tenants raise the problem with the building's landlord or property manager. A short description of the roof is plenty to begin.
Through the seasons
February carries the most snow in Newark's normals
Newark Airport's 1991-2020 normals give February the most snow, 10.1 inches, ahead of January at 9.1 and March at 5.6. December adds 5.4 inches, and the low drops to 32 degrees or below on 17.5 December days on average.
That is a winter of snow that melts and refreezes, which finds weak spots at eaves and flashing. The station is Newark's, so a West Orange hillside may differ.