Seasons and the reservoir: when Oradell homes get wet
Oradell has a reservoir at its core. The Oradell Reservoir Dam on the Hackensack River was built between 1921 and 1923, and the reservoir is also fed by Pascack Brook and the Dwars Kill. The dam reduced flooding in eastern Oradell, according to published histories. That is a real benefit, but not a guarantee.
Published accounts say that during Hurricane Irene in August 2011 the reservoir rose above the top of the dam, which sent water over it and worsened flooding in Oradell and New Milford. What that means for you: a dam lowers the risk, and a major storm can still overwhelm it.
How the year tends to shape water damage calls
Seasons change the cause, not the response.
| Season | Common cause | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Frozen pipes that split and thaw | Close the main valve, see frozen pipe water damage |
| Spring | Heavy rain, saturated ground, sump failures | Check the pump, extract water |
| Summer | AC condensate leaks, storms | Turn off the system, call |
| Fall | Tropical remnants, clogged gutters | Clear gutters, watch the basement |
When water is spreading in Oradell
If water is moving through an Oradell house, call the 24/7 emergency line. A same-day response is offered when a crew is available and dispatch runs around the clock.
Oradell sits about two miles west of Dumont, and Kinderkamack Road, which is County Route 503, runs through the middle of the borough. The 2020 Census counted 2,850 housing units. That is a modest stock, and each home has its own plumbing history, so we ask about the age of yours.
Oradell water damage does not follow a season
Call day or night.
If water is still spreading: before we arrive
Do these while you wait for a crew.
Stop the flow
Close the main valve or the fixture valve.
Mind the electricity
Stay out of water that touches outlets, and call the utility if it reaches the panel.
Raise and photograph
Lift valuables and take pictures of the damage.
Keep clear
Keep children and pets out of flood or drain water.
Places and what they tell us
Oradell Memorial Field sits across from Oradell Public School, and the Doug Parcells Athletic Complex is on Ridgewood Avenue. The Atwood-Blauvelt mansion on Kinderkamack Road dates to 1897. A house near these older parts of town may have older plumbing, while newer homes may have newer supply lines.
The former New Milford plant of the Hackensack Water Company on Van Buskirk Island operated until 1990. It is a reminder that this stretch of the river has been a working water source for a long time.
Oradell, NJ on the map
Our Oradell coverage centers on ZIP 07649 and the Kinderkamack Road corridor.
Shops and offices along Kinderkamack Road
Kinderkamack Road, County Route 503, runs through the middle of Oradell and is the main route for local business. A shop or office there can suffer the same causes as a house: a burst supply line, a roof leak, a sump failure or a storm.
A business has more at stake in each hour. Stock sits on floors, equipment is plugged in, and customers cannot come in until the floor is safe. If your business has water damage, call the same 24/7 line and say it is a commercial loss. Our page on commercial water damage restoration covers how those jobs are planned.
Services Oradell homes call us for
Typical calls include basement water damage cleanup and water extraction. Nearby, our pages for Haworth and New Milford cover neighboring borders.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The line is open 24/7 and a same-day response is offered when a crew is available.
Oradell has one ZIP code, 07649, which covers the borough from Kinderkamack Road to the reservoir. We serve all of it.
It reduces some risk, but it does not remove it. Check your address on the FEMA flood map.
Close the main valve if it splits, open a faucet, and call. See our frozen pipe page.