Nationwide Plumbers is a licensed NYC master plumbing contractor, License #2023, in business since 1984. We dispatch 24/7 to the Columbia Street Waterfront District for leaks, drain and sewer backups, boilers, water heaters and gas work. Call 718-748-2727.
The Columbia Street Waterfront District is a small strip of Brooklyn that was cut off from Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens when the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway trench was built. It runs along Columbia Street between Atlantic Avenue and Hamilton Avenue, with the piers and the harbor to the west. The buildings are mostly 19th-century brick row houses and small mixed-use buildings with storefronts, along with some newer residential buildings.
This is low ground next to the water. Hurricane Sandy flooded many basements here, and heavy rain can overwhelm the combined sewers and push water back toward houses. Owners deal with old cast iron and clay house sewers, basements that need dependable pumps, and buildings where the original piping has been patched through many renovations. We work on all of it, from a single fixture to a full sewer replacement.
Services we offer in Columbia Street Waterfront District
- 24/7 emergency plumbing for leaks and backups
- Sump and sewage ejector pumps for low basements
- Sewer camera inspection and sewer line replacement
- Hydro jetting, with a 45-day guarantee
- Boiler repair and replacement for row houses and small buildings
- Commercial plumbing for ground-floor restaurants and shops
- Gas line repair and Local Law 152 inspections for mixed-use buildings
- Water heaters and repiping
Common plumbing issues in Columbia Street Waterfront District
Storm surcharge and basement backups
During heavy rain the combined sewers serving this low area can fill up, and the water looks for the lowest opening, often a basement floor drain or toilet. A backwater valve on the house sewer, a clean house trap, and a sump pump where groundwater comes in all help. We camera the line first to make sure your own pipe is not part of the problem.
Mixed-use buildings with storefronts
A row house with a store or restaurant on the ground floor and apartments upstairs is not exempt from Local Law 152 the way a one or two family house is, so its gas piping needs the periodic inspection. Commercial kitchens also add grease to the building sewer. We handle the gas inspection, any repairs it calls for, and regular line cleaning for the business.
Old piping patched over decades
Many buildings here have been renovated several times, and the piping shows it: copper tied into galvanized, old brass fittings, and drain lines rerouted around new walls. Mixed materials corrode at the joints, and odd drain runs clog. When a repair keeps failing, it is usually time to replace a section of piping rather than patch it again.
Why Columbia Street Waterfront District residents choose Nationwide Plumbers
- Licensed master plumber, License #2023, fully insured
- Our own van-mounted jetter for sewer and drain lines
- Written estimates before work starts
- 24/7 dispatch from our shop in southwest Brooklyn
Service area in and around Columbia Street Waterfront District
We service all of Columbia Street Waterfront District, Brooklyn (ZIP 11231), including the area bounded by:
- North: Atlantic Avenue
- South: Hamilton Avenue
- East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
- West: The waterfront
Nearby neighborhoods we also serve: Cobble Hill & Carroll Gardens, Red Hook and Brooklyn Heights. For our full coverage, see our Brooklyn service area page.
Plumbing in Columbia Street Waterfront District: FAQ
Is a backwater valve worth it in the Columbia Street area?
For many basements on these low blocks, yes. A backwater valve closes when sewage pushes back from the street sewer, protecting floor drains and basement fixtures. It needs room on the house sewer and occasional maintenance. We camera the line first and tell you whether one fits your building.
Do mixed-use buildings here need Local Law 152 inspections?
Generally yes, if the building has gas piping. Only one and two family homes are exempt, so a row house with a store and apartments usually needs the inspection every four years. We perform it as licensed master plumbers and file the GPS2 with the Department of Buildings.
Do you work on restaurant plumbing on Columbia Street?
Yes. We clean and jet grease lines, repair commercial drains, install water heaters and fixtures, and work on kitchen gas piping. We can also put line cleaning on a regular schedule so it gets done before it turns into a backup in the middle of service.
