Short answer
Yonkers homeowners send Runhome a description or photos and get a repair estimate in minutes; Runhome then calls local contractors, gathers quotes and schedules the work. About 21% of Yonkers homes still heat with oil, so oil burner service, tank replacement and conversions are common local jobs.
Yonkers homes at a glance
- Median year built
- 1958
- Built before 1960
- 54%
- Built since 2000
- 10%
- Owner-occupied
- 46%
- Median home value
- $501,600
- Main heat
- Gas, 57%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates
What Yonkers’s housing means for repairs
Yonkers housing is old and mostly attached or multi-unit. Construction centers on a 1958 median, 54% of homes predate 1960, and only 10% were built since 2000. Only a quarter of homes (25%) are detached single-family houses, and 46% are owner-occupied, with many two- and three-family homes and apartment buildings.
Older homes often have steam or hot water boilers, original wiring, galvanized plumbing and wood or asbestos siding. Heating fuel is unusually mixed: gas serves 57% of homes, oil 21% and electricity 15%. Values are high (median $501,600) given the city's location next to New York City. Hilly streets mean many homes have steep driveways, retaining walls and exterior stairs.
Weather that wears on Yonkers homes
Yonkers sits on the Hudson River just north of the Bronx, with cold winters, frequent freeze-thaw cycles and humid summers. Nor'easters bring heavy rain, wind and snow, and they push water into old window frames and masonry. The remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021 caused severe flooding along the Saw Mill River and in basements across the city, a reminder that low areas need working sump pumps and backflow protection. Freeze-thaw cracks masonry steps and retaining walls on the city's steep streets. Ice dams form on older roofs with little attic insulation. Mature trees on older lots drop limbs onto roofs and fill gutters every fall.
Common repairs in Yonkers
Oil burner and boiler service
Older Yonkers homes heated with oil need yearly burner cleaning and occasional tank replacement.
Bathroom leaks into ceilings
Failed tub caulk and drains in multi-family homes leak into the unit or room below.
Siding and trim replacement
Older wood and asbestos-cement siding needs repair or replacement, with care for lead paint and asbestos.
Basement flooding
Heavy storms push water into basements, especially in low areas near the Saw Mill River.
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.
| Repair | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Heating or cooling repair | $310 to $580 |
| Drywall or ceiling repair | $400 to $1,150 |
| Siding and exterior repair | $330 to $1,050 |
| Structural or foundation repair | $600 to $1,150 |
Fix guides for Yonkers homeowners
Bathtub is separating from the wall
Tubs in older Yonkers multi-family homes often pull away from the wall and leak into ceilings below.
Ceiling is stained and sagging after a water leak
Plaster ceilings in pre-1960 homes stain and sag after upstairs leaks.
One light stopped working and nothing else is affected
Old fixtures and wiring in Yonkers homes often fail one light at a time.
Roof leaks in one spot and stains the ceiling below
Ice dams and nor'easters find weak spots in older roofs.
Seasonal checklist
- Fall
- Schedule oil burner or boiler service and fill your tank before cold weather.
- Winter
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear and watch for ice dams after snow.
- Spring
- Clean gutters and test your sump pump before spring storms.
Common questions
- Should I convert my Yonkers home from oil to gas heat?
If gas service runs on your street, many owners convert to reduce maintenance and remove the oil tank. Some instead switch to a heat pump. Price depends on the boiler or furnace, gas line work and tank removal.
- Is it safe to replace old asbestos siding myself?
No. Asbestos-cement siding on older homes needs proper handling and disposal under state rules. A licensed abatement contractor can remove it, or a contractor may install new siding over it in some cases.
- How do I stop basement flooding in heavy storms?
Gutters, downspout extensions, grading and a sump pump are the first steps. Homes near the Saw Mill River may also need a backflow valve. A Runhome estimate covers whichever of these your home needs.
Neighborhoods served
- Getty Square
- Park Hill
- Crestwood
- Dunwoodie
- Ludlow
- Nodine Hill