When National Grid or Con Edison shuts off gas for a leak or illegal gas work, the gas stays off until a NYC Licensed Master Plumber repairs the piping, files the work with the Department of Buildings in DOB NOW, passes the DOB inspection and gets gas authorization, and the utility inspects and turns the meter back on. Nationwide Plumbers (License #2023) handles every step for homes, co-ops and buildings in Brooklyn and all five boroughs.
Why the gas was shut off
The utility shuts off gas when it finds an unsafe condition. The two most common reasons in NYC are:
- A gas leak found during a service call, a Local Law 152 inspection, or after someone reported a gas smell.
- Illegal or unpermitted gas work, for example a gas dryer or stove hooked up without a DOB permit.
In Brooklyn and Staten Island the gas utility is National Grid. In Manhattan, the Bronx and parts of Queens it is Con Edison. The rules for getting gas back are the same: the utility will not turn the gas back on until the work is repaired, filed and approved.
How gas gets restored in NYC, step by step
- Make it safe and find the problem. We locate the leak or the illegal connection, isolate it, and tell you exactly what has to be repaired.
- File with the Department of Buildings. As a Licensed Master Plumber we file an Emergency Work Notification (EWN) so work can start right away, then the Limited Alteration Application (LAA) that covers the full scope of the repair. Both are filed in DOB NOW: Build, and the owner approves the filing with an NYC.ID account.
- Repair the gas piping. Leaking fittings, corroded pipe, bad connectors and illegal work are corrected to the NYC Fuel Gas Code.
- Test the piping. The repaired system is pressure tested to prove it is tight before anyone asks for gas.
- DOB inspection and gas authorization. We request the DOB inspection. Once it passes, DOB grants the gas authorization.
- Utility inspection and turn-on. We schedule National Grid or Con Edison, who inspect their connections and turn the meter back on. We relight appliances and check every one for leaks.
How long does it take to get gas back?
There is no fixed timeline. It depends on why the gas was shut off, how much piping needs repair, how fast we can get into every affected apartment, and how quickly DOB and the utility can schedule their inspections. A single leaking connector in a house can move quickly. A building where a whole riser has to be replaced takes longer. We start the filing the same day so the clock starts as early as possible, and we keep the owner, the managing agent and the board updated at every step.
For co-ops, condos and rental buildings
When gas is off in a multifamily building, tenants lose cooking gas and sometimes heat and hot water. NYC requires the owner to make repairs right away. We work with managing agents and boards on access to apartments, notices to residents, and the DOB and utility schedule. If the shutoff came from a Local Law 152 inspection finding, we correct the defects and close out the inspection paperwork at the same time. If a riser has to be replaced, see our gas riser replacement page.
Call us the moment the gas is shut off
Call 718-748-2727 any time, day or night. Nationwide Plumbers has worked on NYC gas piping since 1984 under NYC Master Plumber License #2023, and we serve Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.
Gas Shut Off? Gas Restoration in Brooklyn and NYC: FAQ
Who can restore gas after a utility shutoff in NYC?
A NYC Licensed Master Plumber has to do the gas piping repair and the DOB filings. The utility, National Grid or Con Edison, only turns the gas back on after DOB grants gas authorization and the utility's own inspection passes.
What filings are needed to get gas restored?
The Licensed Master Plumber files an Emergency Work Notification (EWN) and a Limited Alteration Application (LAA) in DOB NOW: Build. After the repair passes the DOB inspection, DOB grants gas authorization and the utility can restore service.
Who is my gas utility in Brooklyn?
National Grid serves Brooklyn and Staten Island. Con Edison serves Manhattan, the Bronx and parts of Queens. We work with both.
How long will my gas be off?
It depends on the cause, the amount of repair, access to apartments and inspection schedules. A small repair in a house can be quick; a building riser replacement takes longer. We file the same day to keep things moving.
Why was my gas shut off?
Usually for a gas leak or for gas work done without a DOB permit, such as an illegal dryer or stove connection. Defects found during a Local Law 152 inspection can also lead to a shutoff.
Can a handyman or super fix the gas line?
No. Gas piping work in NYC must be done by or under a Licensed Master Plumber, and DOB will not authorize gas restoration without the proper filing.
