Nationwide Plumbers is a licensed NYC master plumber (License #2023) in business since 1984, offering 24/7 emergency service in University Heights. We repair leaks, boilers, drains, sewer and gas lines for owners, managers and tenants. Call 718-748-2727.
University Heights takes its name from the old New York University campus on the ridge, now Bronx Community College, home of the Hall of Fame for Great Americans. University Avenue and Sedgwick Avenue run north and south through the neighborhood, Fordham Road crosses near the top, and the University Heights Bridge connects to Inwood. Most residents live in pre-war apartment buildings, with some older row houses and frame homes on the side streets.
Many of these buildings are on their second or third round of plumbing repairs. We see original cast iron stacks next to newer PVC patches, steam boilers converted from oil to gas, and galvanized lines that have been replaced in some apartments but not others. We sort out what is there, fix the immediate problem, and give owners a written plan for the rest. Service is 24/7, and Con Edison is the gas utility here.
Services we offer in University Heights
- Boiler repair including oil-to-gas converted burners
- Repiping of mixed galvanized and copper lines
- Cast iron stack repair and partial replacement
- Drain cleaning for kitchen lines and bathroom stacks
- Gas line repair and new appliance connections
- Local Law 152 and Local Law 151 inspections
- Water heater installation for row houses
- Sewer camera inspection and line repair
Common plumbing issues in University Heights
Patchwork piping from decades of repairs
A building that has had several plumbers over the years ends up with copper, galvanized, brass and plastic all on one line, joined by fittings that were never meant to last. Dissimilar metals corrode at the joints and leak. When we open a wall, we replace back to a sound section instead of adding another short patch.
Converted boilers that need tuning
Many buildings here burned oil before switching to gas. A conversion burner that was never tuned properly runs dirty, soots the boiler and trips on flame failure. We clean the boiler, adjust combustion with a combustion analyzer, and test the safety controls so the building gets steady heat through the whole season.
Cast iron stacks cracking at the joints
Pre-war drain stacks are heavy cast iron with packed hub joints, and after many decades the hubs crack or the pipe wears thin at the bottom where it turns. Leaks show up as stains in the basement or wet walls in ground-floor apartments. We cut out the damaged section and tie in new pipe without replacing the whole stack.
Why University Heights residents choose Nationwide Plumbers
- In business since 1984 under NYC License #2023
- Plain written estimates that separate the urgent repair from the planned work
- Technicians who speak English, Spanish and French
- COIs issued for co-op boards and managing agents
Service area in and around University Heights
We service all of University Heights, Bronx (ZIP 10453, 10468), for emergencies 24/7 and for scheduled work.
Nearby neighborhoods we also serve: Morris Heights, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Bedford Park and Inwood. For our full coverage, see our Bronx service area page.
Plumbing in University Heights: FAQ
Can you replace only part of a cast iron stack?
Often, yes. If the damage is limited to one or two sections, we cut out the failed pipe and connect new pipe with approved couplings. A camera inspection first tells us how much of the stack is sound. We will tell you honestly if the rest is close to failing too.
Our boiler keeps shutting off on flame failure. Is it the burner?
Often it is, especially on older gas conversion burners. A dirty flame sensor, poor combustion or a weak igniter are common causes. We clean and tune the burner, test the safety controls and check the boiler for soot. Learn more about boiler repair.
Do you work in buildings close to Bronx Community College?
Yes, the whole University Heights area is in our service area. We work for building owners, managing agents and individual residents, and we dispatch 24/7 for leaks, backups and no-heat calls. For buildings that want fewer surprises, our NP Care maintenance plans cover routine checks.
Who handles a gas smell in a University Heights apartment?
Leave the apartment, avoid light switches, and call Con Edison or 911 from outside. Once the utility makes it safe, a licensed plumber has to find and repair the leak before gas is turned back on. We handle that repair, the pressure test and the restoration paperwork.
