Nationwide Plumbers is a NYC Licensed Master Plumber (License #2023), serving Manhattan since 1984 with 24/7 emergency dispatch. In Harlem we handle brownstone plumbing, sewer lines, gas restoration, Local Law 152, boilers and water heaters. Call 718-748-2727.
Central Harlem has some of the finest row house blocks in New York. The Mount Morris Park Historic District around Marcus Garvey Park, Strivers' Row on West 138th and 139th Streets, and long runs of brownstones off Malcolm X Boulevard, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard date mostly to the late 1800s. Between them stand walk-ups, pre-war apartment buildings and newer developments, with West 125th Street and the Apollo Theater as the commercial center.
Many Harlem brownstones have been restored in recent decades, some back to single family homes and others into multiple units. Restoration often uncovers original plumbing: cast iron drains, clay or cast iron sewer laterals, galvanized supply and gas piping that has to be brought up to code before service is turned on. We handle that work for owners and contractors, plus the boiler, gas and drain calls that come with older walk-ups.
Services we offer in Harlem
- Brownstone restoration plumbing: new supply, drain and gas piping
- Gas restoration and new gas service work for renovated row houses
- Sewer camera inspection and lateral repair or replacement
- Steam and hot water boiler repair and replacement
- Local Law 152 inspections for walk-ups and converted multifamily brownstones
- Water service line and water main work from the curb to the house
- Tank and tankless water heaters
- Restaurant and retail drain cleaning on 125th Street and the boulevards
Common plumbing issues in Harlem
Plumbing uncovered during restorations
When a Harlem brownstone is opened up, it is common to find a mix of original cast iron, old galvanized lines and patched repairs from different decades. Tying new bathrooms into that piping invites leaks. We help owners and contractors decide what to keep and what to replace, and install new supply, waste and gas piping to code.
Getting gas turned on after a renovation
A renovated brownstone, or one where gas was shut off after a leak, needs piping that passes a pressure test and the required sign-offs before the utility will turn on service. Missing permits or unapproved materials slow that process down. We install or repair the gas piping, test it, and coordinate the steps so the house gets gas.
Old sewer laterals and water services
Under the sidewalk, many Harlem row houses still have their original sewer laterals and water service lines. Roots, cracks and sags in the sewer cause recurring backups, and an aging water service can mean low pressure throughout the house. We camera the sewer, test the water service, and give written options for water line or sewer replacement.
Why Harlem residents choose Nationwide Plumbers
- Licensed Master Plumber, License #2023, for gas and permit work
- Experienced with brownstone restorations and contractor schedules
- Free estimates on replacement and installation work
- Financing through Wisetack on larger projects
Service area in and around Harlem
We service all of Harlem, Manhattan (ZIP 10026, 10027, 10030, 10039), including the area bounded by:
- North: West 155th Street
- South: Central Park North (West 110th Street)
- East: Fifth Avenue
- West: St. Nicholas Avenue and Morningside Avenue
Nearby neighborhoods we also serve: East Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley and Washington Heights. For our full coverage, see our Manhattan service area page.
Plumbing in Harlem: FAQ
We bought a Harlem brownstone that needs gas turned on. Where do we start?
Start with an inspection of the existing gas piping from the meter location through the house. Old or altered piping usually needs repairs or replacement before it can pass a pressure test. We give you a written scope, do the work, and handle the testing and coordination so the utility can turn on service.
Do you work with general contractors on brownstone renovations?
Yes. We handle the licensed plumbing and gas portion of a renovation, including permits where the work requires them, and work to the contractor's schedule. We give a written estimate for the plumbing scope and provide certificates of insurance.
Why does our brownstone basement drain keep backing up?
In older row houses the common causes are roots or a break in the sewer lateral, buildup in the house trap, or a sag in the line under the sidewalk. A camera inspection shows which one, so you are not paying for repeated snaking when the line needs repair.
