A gas riser is the vertical gas pipe that carries gas from the meters up to every apartment in a building. When a riser leaks or is corroded, the utility can shut off gas to every apartment on that line. Nationwide Plumbers, NYC Master Plumber License #2023, replaces gas risers in Brooklyn and NYC co-ops, condos and rental buildings: DOB filing, new piping, pressure testing, DOB inspection and gas authorization, and coordination with National Grid or Con Edison to get gas back on.
What is a gas riser?
In most NYC apartment buildings, gas comes in from the street to meters in the cellar. From there, vertical pipes called risers run up through the building, usually inside walls or chases near the kitchens, with a branch to each apartment. One riser can feed a whole line of apartments, for example every "A" apartment from the 2nd floor to the top.
Many pre-war and mid-century buildings in Brooklyn still have their original steel risers. After decades, threaded joints loosen and pipe corrodes, especially where it passes through damp walls or floors.
When a gas riser needs replacement
- A leak on the riser found during a Local Law 152 inspection, a utility visit, or after a gas smell complaint.
- A utility shutoff. National Grid or Con Edison can shut off gas to a whole riser line until it is repaired. See gas restoration for how that process works.
- Heavy corrosion or old repairs that make patching unreliable.
- Renovations or added gas appliances that the existing riser was not sized for.
How we replace a gas riser
- Survey. We trace the riser from the meter to every apartment, check access in each unit, and give the board or owner a written scope.
- DOB filing. As a Licensed Master Plumber we file the work in DOB NOW. Emergency work after a shutoff starts under an Emergency Work Notification, followed by the permit filing for the full scope.
- Notices and access. We work with the managing agent on resident notices and apartment access, which is usually what sets the pace of the job.
- New riser and branches. We install the new riser and apartment branches with shutoff valves, routed to keep wall and ceiling openings as small as possible.
- Pressure test. The new piping is pressure tested before any inspection is requested.
- DOB inspection, gas authorization and utility turn-on. After the DOB inspection passes and gas authorization is granted, National Grid or Con Edison inspects and restores gas. We relight and leak check appliances in every apartment.
Keeping residents cooking while gas is off
Riser work means some apartments are without cooking gas for a period. We help boards plan the work to keep that time as short as possible, coordinate inspection dates in advance, and keep the managing agent updated daily so residents know what to expect.
Gas risers and Local Law 152
Local Law 152 inspections often turn up riser leaks and corrosion. Because we perform LL152 inspections and repairs, we can correct riser defects and file the certification in one process, instead of handing a board off to a second contractor.
Get a riser survey
Call 718-748-2727 or use the form below. Nationwide Plumbers serves co-ops, condos and rental buildings in Brooklyn and all five boroughs, under NYC Master Plumber License #2023, since 1984.
Gas Riser Replacement for NYC Apartment Buildings: FAQ
What is a gas riser in an apartment building?
It is the vertical gas pipe that carries gas from the meters in the cellar up through the building to each apartment. One riser often feeds a whole line of apartments.
Who can replace a gas riser in NYC?
Gas riser work must be filed with the Department of Buildings and performed by or under a NYC Licensed Master Plumber. DOB inspects the work and grants gas authorization before the utility turns gas back on.
How long are residents without gas during a riser replacement?
It depends on the number of apartments, how quickly every unit can be accessed, and the DOB and utility inspection schedules. Planning access and inspections ahead is the biggest factor in keeping it short.
Can a leaking riser be repaired instead of replaced?
Sometimes. A single bad fitting can be repaired. When the pipe is corroded along its length, replacement is the reliable fix. We show the board what we find before recommending either.
Does Local Law 152 require riser replacement?
Local Law 152 requires periodic inspection of building gas piping. If the inspection finds leaks or corrosion on a riser, those conditions have to be corrected, which can mean repair or replacement.
Do you work with National Grid and Con Edison?
Yes. National Grid serves Brooklyn and Staten Island and Con Edison serves Manhattan, the Bronx and parts of Queens. We schedule the utility inspection and turn-on as part of the job.
