Home repair in Buffalo, NY

Buffalo homes at a glance

Median year built

1938

Built before 1960

80%

Built since 2000

5%

Owner-occupied

43%

Median home value

$164,200

Main heat

Gas, 86%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates

What Buffalo’s housing means for repairs

Buffalo has some of the oldest housing of any large US city. The median home was built in 1938, about 80% of homes predate 1960, and only 5% went up after 2000. Detached single-family homes make up only 36% of the stock, because the city is full of two-family "Buffalo doubles" with an upper and lower flat.

In a double, a leak in the upstairs bathroom drips straight into the ceiling of the flat below. About 43% of homes are owner-occupied, and many owners live in one flat and rent the other. Gas heats 86% of homes, usually with a boiler or furnace in a stone or brick basement. Wood clapboard, asbestos shingle and vinyl siding all show up on these houses, often layered over each other.

Weather that wears on Buffalo homes

Buffalo sits at the east end of Lake Erie and gets heavy lake-effect snow, sometimes several feet in a single storm, as in the November and December 2022 storms. Snow load and ice dams push water under shingles and into walls and ceilings. Freeze-thaw cycles crack masonry, porch steps and foundations. Strong winds off the lake loosen siding, gutters and storm windows. Summers are warm and humid, so basements stay damp. Older homes with little insulation lose heat fast and freeze pipes in exterior walls.

Common repairs in Buffalo

• Ice dam and roof leak repair

  Heavy snow and poor attic insulation cause ice dams that push water inside.

• Siding and exterior trim repair

  Old wood clapboard and trim rot, and wind tears loose vinyl panels.

• Ceiling damage from upstairs bathroom leaks

  In Buffalo doubles, upper-flat leaks stain and sag the ceiling below.

• Boiler and furnace repair

  Old gas heating systems in basements need regular service and parts.

• Porch repair

  Front porches on doubles need new decking, columns and railings.

What these repairs cost

The middle half of Runhome repair estimates nationwide for each kind of job. Your price depends on the scope of the work.

Fix guides for Buffalo homeowners

• Ceiling is stained and sagging after a water leak

  Leaks from upper flats in Buffalo doubles often show up as a stained, sagging ceiling below.

• Bathtub is separating from the wall

  Old tubs in Buffalo homes pull away from walls and let water reach the floor and ceiling below.

• Painted wood is rotten and crumbles when you press it

  Lake-effect moisture rots painted wood trim on older Buffalo houses.

• Porch support column is crumbling at the base

  Porch columns on Buffalo doubles rot at the base after years of snowmelt.

Seasonal checklist

Late fall

Clean gutters and add attic insulation or ventilation to reduce ice dams.

Winter

Use a roof rake to pull snow off the lower edge of the roof after big storms.

Spring

Check siding, trim and porch columns for damage from winter wind and ice.

Common questions

How do I prevent ice dams on my Buffalo house?

Better attic insulation and ventilation keep the roof deck cold, so snow does not melt and refreeze at the eaves. A roof rake helps after heavy snow. Heat cables are a short-term fix for problem spots.

Can old asbestos siding on a Buffalo double be repaired?

Yes, but asbestos siding should not be cut or broken. Many owners cover it with new siding instead of removing it. If removal is needed, it requires an abatement contractor.

What raises the cost of fixing a ceiling under an upstairs bathroom?

Finding and fixing the leak source first, the size of the damaged area, and whether plaster or drywall needs to be replaced.

Neighborhoods served

• Elmwood Village
• Allentown
• North Buffalo
• Parkside
• South Buffalo
• Black Rock
• Riverside
• Kaisertown

Other New York cities

• Home repair in New York
• Home repair in Rochester
• Home repair in Syracuse
• Home repair in Yonkers