Nationwide Plumbers is a licensed NYC master plumbing contractor, License #2023, in business since 1984. We dispatch 24/7 to Flatlands for drain and sewer problems, boilers, water heaters, gas lines and sump pumps. Call 718-748-2727.
Flatlands is one of Brooklyn's original Dutch towns, and its name fits: the land is flat and runs south toward Marine Park and Jamaica Bay. Today it is mostly residential, with blocks of attached brick row houses and semi-detached and detached one and two family homes, much of it built between the 1920s and the 1950s. Flatbush Avenue, Flatlands Avenue, Avenue N and Kings Highway carry most of the traffic and shopping.
Because the area is so flat, sewer lines have little slope to work with, and any sag in an old house sewer becomes a spot where waste settles. Many basements here have been finished or turned into living space over the years. The original boilers and water heaters in many houses have been replaced at least once, but the drain, sewer and gas piping is often still the original material.
Services we offer in Flatlands
- Sewer camera inspection and sewer cleaning
- Hydro jetting, with a 45-day guarantee
- Sewer line repair and replacement
- Sump pumps and ejector pumps for finished basements
- Water heater replacement, tank and tankless
- Boiler repair and replacement
- Gas line repair and leak detection
- Toilet and fixture repair, and bathroom repiping
Common plumbing issues in Flatlands
Sags in house sewers on flat ground
With so little grade to work with, a section of house sewer that has settled even slightly holds water and debris. Paper and grease collect there, and the line clogs again and again in the same place. A camera inspection finds the low spot. Depending on its size, regular jetting may keep it clear, or the section may need to be relaid at the proper pitch.
Finished basements and backups
Turning a basement into a family room or rental unit raises the stakes on every sewer backup. If a basement bathroom sits below the level where the house sewer leaves the building, it needs an ejector pump, and a backwater valve can protect floor drains during storms. We assess the layout and recommend what fits your house.
Original gas piping
Houses from the 1920s to the 1950s often still have their original threaded steel gas piping. Joints can loosen and fittings can corrode, especially where new appliances were added over the years. If you smell gas near an appliance or the meter, leave and call National Grid. Once it is safe, we find and repair the leak and pressure test the system.
Boilers and water heaters near the end of their life
Many Flatlands houses are on their second or third water heater, and some boilers have been in place for decades. Rust at the base of a tank, a boiler that leaks or short cycles, and rising gas bills are signs it is time to plan ahead. We give free written estimates on replacement, and financing is available through Wisetack.
Why Flatlands residents choose Nationwide Plumbers
- Our own van-mounted jetter, 45-day guarantee on jetting
- Free estimates on replacement and installation work
- 1-year labor warranty
- 24/7 dispatch
Service area in and around Flatlands
We service all of Flatlands, Brooklyn (ZIP 11234), for emergencies 24/7 and for scheduled work.
Nearby neighborhoods we also serve: Canarsie, Marine Park, Midwood, East Flatbush, Bergen Beach and Mill Basin. For our full coverage, see our Brooklyn service area page.
Plumbing in Flatlands: FAQ
Why does my sewer line keep clogging in the same spot?
In Flatlands the usual reasons are a sag where the pipe has settled, roots at a joint, or a break. A camera inspection shows which one you have. A sag can sometimes be managed with periodic jetting, while a break or offset joint usually needs a repair.
Do I need an ejector pump for a basement bathroom?
If the basement fixtures sit lower than the point where your house sewer leaves the building, yes. An ejector pump collects waste in a sealed pit and pumps it up to the sewer. We size the pump and install it with a check valve and alarm. See sump and ejector pumps.
Can you install a tankless water heater in an older Flatlands house?
Usually. Tankless units need an adequate gas supply and proper venting, so we check the gas line size and the venting route first. In many houses it frees up basement space. We install A.O. Smith tank and tankless units and give a free written estimate.
