Nationwide Plumbers is a NYC Licensed Master Plumber (License #2023), serving Manhattan since 1984 with 24/7 emergency dispatch. In Washington Heights we handle steam boilers, gas risers, Local Law 152, water pressure, drains and leaks, with Spanish speaking technicians. Call 718-748-2727.
Washington Heights covers the high, rocky northern stretch of Manhattan from West 155th Street up toward Fort Tryon Park, between the Hudson and Harlem Rivers. Most of its housing is five and six story apartment buildings from the 1910s through the 1930s, many with Art Deco lobbies, especially along Fort Washington Avenue, Cabrini Boulevard and in Hudson Heights. The George Washington Bridge crosses the Hudson at 178th Street, NewYork-Presbyterian's medical center sits at 168th, and the A and 1 trains run deep underground.
Buildings of that era share the same systems: a large steam boiler in the cellar, gas risers to every kitchen, and supply risers that have to lift water up hills and six stories of apartments. Broadway, St. Nicholas Avenue and Dyckman Street are lined with restaurants, bakeries and shops under apartments. Our technicians speak Spanish and English, and we give a written estimate before work starts.
Services we offer in Washington Heights
- Steam boiler repair and replacement for apartment buildings
- Gas riser replacement and gas leak repair
- Local Law 152 inspections, GPS2 filings and gas restoration
- Local Law 151 steam radiator work
- Supply riser and booster pump troubleshooting for upper floor pressure
- Restaurant drain cleaning and hydro jetting on Broadway and St. Nicholas Avenue
- Water heater replacement for row houses and small buildings
- Property management accounts for building owners
Common plumbing issues in Washington Heights
Weak pressure on the top floors
Washington Heights sits on some of the highest ground in Manhattan, and older six story buildings without pumps can struggle to push water to the top apartments, especially at busy morning hours. Narrowed galvanized risers make it worse. We test pressure at the street and on each floor, then recommend riser replacement, a booster pump, or both, in writing.
Gas risers in 1920s buildings
Most apartment buildings here were built with gas for cooking, and their risers have been patched for close to a century. A leak found during a Local Law 152 inspection or reported by a tenant can shut gas off to the whole building. We replace failed risers, pressure test, and coordinate restoration with the utility.
Large steam systems
A big pre-war building's steam boiler works hard all winter, and problems show up as no heat calls, banging, or a boiler that keeps losing water. Leaking returns underground or in the cellar are a common cause of water loss. We repair the boiler and the piping and handle Local Law 151 steam radiator work for the building.
Why Washington Heights residents choose Nationwide Plumbers
- Spanish speaking technicians, plus English and French
- Licensed Master Plumber, License #2023, since 1984
- 24/7 dispatch for no heat, no gas and leaks
- Written estimate before work starts and a 1-year labor warranty
Service area in and around Washington Heights
We service all of Washington Heights, Manhattan (ZIP 10032, 10033, 10040), including the area bounded by:
- North: Fort Tryon Park and Dyckman Street
- South: West 155th Street
- East: Harlem River
- West: Hudson River
Nearby neighborhoods we also serve: Inwood, Hamilton Heights, Harlem, Highbridge and University Heights. For our full coverage, see our Manhattan service area page.
Plumbing in Washington Heights: FAQ
Our top floor apartment has almost no water pressure in the morning. Why?
In older buildings on the hills of Washington Heights, the city's street pressure may not reach the top floors well when everyone is using water. Narrowed risers make it worse. The fix can be new risers, a booster pump, or both. We test first and give the owner a written estimate.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Our technicians speak Spanish, English and French. Supers, owners and tenants can describe the problem and review the written estimate in Spanish, so nothing gets lost between the super, the owner and our crew. Call 718-748-2727, day or night.
How long does it take to get gas back after a shutoff?
It depends on how much piping needs repair. Every leak must be fixed and the system has to pass a pressure test and the required sign-offs before the utility restores service. We give the owner a written scope at the start and update tenants as the work moves forward.
