the five boroughs · Service area
Plumbers in New York City, NY
Plumbing in New York City is mostly plumbing in old buildings. A large share of the city's housing was built before World War II, and behind the walls of a pre-war apartment you are likely to find brass or galvanized supply risers, cast iron waste stacks and steam heating pipes that have all been in service for generations.
Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island and nearby neighborhoods.
- Emergency plumbing help
- Licensed local plumbers
- Price confirmed before work
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- Licensed local plumbing companies
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Homes and plumbing in New York City
In apartment buildings, co-ops and condos, a leak rarely stays in one unit. Risers and stacks are shared, so building management usually has to be involved, and many boards require proof of license and insurance before any work begins. Brownstones and row houses in Brooklyn and Queens have their own house sewers running to the street, often original clay or cast iron.
Aging risers and stacks
Galvanized and brass supply risers narrow with corrosion and leak at the threads, and cast iron stacks crack along their length. Repairs often affect the apartments above and below.
Combined sewers and basement backups
Most of the city drains storm water and sewage through the same pipes. During intense rain the system fills, and basements and cellar apartments without a backwater valve can take in sewage.
Lead service lines
Many older small buildings and houses still have a lead service line from the water main. The city's water is treated to limit corrosion, but replacement is the permanent fix.
Common plumbing calls in New York City
Pipe Repair
Leaking joint, pinhole in copper or a corroded section of pipe? See how plumbers repair water and drain pipes and reach a local pipe repair plumber..
Learn moreDrain Cleaning
Clogged sink, tub, shower or main drain? Learn how plumbers clear drains with cables and jetting, and call to reach a local drain cleaning plumber..
Learn moreLeak Detection
A high water bill, a damp wall or the sound of running water can mean a hidden leak.
Learn moreSewer Backup Repair
Sewage in a tub, floor drain or toilet means the main line is blocked.
Learn moreToilet Repair
Running toilet, leak at the base, weak flush or a clog a plunger won't clear? See what plumbers fix and replace, and reach a local toilet repair plumber..
Learn more
Also available in New York City: emergency plumbing and all plumbing services.
New York City at a glance
- Area
- New York City, the five boroughs, New York
- Neighborhoods
- Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island
- Local issues
- Aging risers and stacks; Combined sewers and basement backups; Lead service lines
- Plumber licensing
- New York has no statewide plumbing license; plumbers are licensed by cities and counties, including the New York City Department of Buildings.
- Office
- Service-area page. Work is done by independent local plumbing companies.
New York City plumbing questions
Who can legally do plumbing work in New York City?
Most plumbing work beyond minor repairs must be done by, or under the supervision of, a Licensed Master Plumber registered with the NYC Department of Buildings, and gas work always requires one. You can look up a license on the DOB website.
Who is responsible for the sewer line from a NYC house to the street?
The property owner. In New York City the owner is responsible for the house sewer and the water service line all the way to the city main, including the part under the sidewalk and street.
Guides for New York City homeowners
How to shut off your water in an emergency
Close the main shutoff valve, which is usually where the water line enters the house: in the basement or crawl space on the street-facing wall, in the garage, or near the water heater.
Read the guideWhy does my drain keep clogging?
A drain that keeps clogging has a cause that the last clearing did not remove.
Read the guideHow to prevent frozen pipes
Keep vulnerable pipes above freezing and keep water moving.
Read the guide
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Need a plumber in New York City?
Call and tell us what's going on. Calling is free, and the plumber confirms the price before any work starts.