Nationwide Plumbers is a licensed NYC master plumbing contractor, License #2023, in business since 1984. We serve Kensington 24/7 with steam boiler repair, gas risers, Local Law 152 inspections, drains, sewer lines and water heaters. Call 718-748-2727.
Kensington sits south of Windsor Terrace and Prospect Park, with Ocean Parkway running down its spine and Church Avenue, Coney Island Avenue and McDonald Avenue as its main commercial streets. The F train stops at Fort Hamilton Parkway, Church Avenue, Ditmas Avenue and 18th Avenue, and the G shares the line as far as Church Avenue. Many residents live in pre-war apartment buildings, most of them six stories, while the side streets hold row houses and some large detached frame houses.
Those apartment buildings shape most plumbing work in Kensington. Many are original steam-heated buildings with gas risers to every apartment, stacked bathrooms and kitchens, and building sewers that carry waste from dozens of units. Owners and co-op boards deal with Local Law 152 inspections, gas shutoffs and steam complaints, while homeowners on the side streets deal with boilers, water heaters and old sewer laterals.
Services we offer in Kensington
- Gas riser replacement in pre-war apartment buildings
- Local Law 152 gas piping inspections and GPS2 filings
- Gas restoration after a building shutoff
- Steam boiler repair, replacement and annual inspections
- Local Law 151 steam radiator inspections
- Kitchen stack and building drain jetting
- Leak detection between apartments
- Water heaters and sewer line work for houses on the side streets
Common plumbing issues in Kensington
Gas shutoffs in apartment buildings
Pre-war buildings in Kensington commonly have original steel gas risers. After a leak complaint or a Local Law 152 finding, the utility may shut gas to one riser or the entire building, leaving apartments without cooking gas. Restoring it means repair or replacement, pressure testing, Department of Buildings filings and a utility inspection. We manage that process for owners and boards.
Kitchen stacks and building drains
With dozens of kitchens draining into a few stacks, grease builds up steadily and the lower-floor apartments get the backups. Regular jetting of the kitchen lines and the building drain costs less than repeated emergency calls. Our van-mounted jetter cleans the pipe to its full diameter, and jetting carries a 45-day guarantee.
Steam heat complaints
One-pipe and two-pipe steam systems need working vents, traps and a properly set boiler to heat evenly. When they are neglected, top floors overheat while lower ones stay cold, or the reverse. We tune the boiler, replace vents and traps, and help buildings prepare for the annual boiler inspection and steam radiator requirements.
Detached frame houses on the side streets
Kensington's larger frame houses often have long sewer runs, old steam or hot water boilers and supply piping updated a piece at a time. Uneven heat, slow drains and low upstairs pressure are the usual complaints. We look at the whole house, explain what is worth repairing, and give free written estimates on replacement work.
Why Kensington residents choose Nationwide Plumbers
- COIs for co-op boards and managing agents
- Licensed master plumber, License #2023, since 1984
- Our own van-mounted jetter
- English, Spanish and French speaking technicians
Service area in and around Kensington
We service all of Kensington, Brooklyn (ZIP 11218), for emergencies 24/7 and for scheduled work.
Nearby neighborhoods we also serve: Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Ditmas Park, Prospect Park South, Flatbush and Midwood. For our full coverage, see our Brooklyn service area page.
Plumbing in Kensington: FAQ
What happens after the gas is shut off to our building's riser?
We inspect the affected riser and branches, repair or replace the leaking piping, and pressure test it. Then we file with the Department of Buildings and schedule National Grid's inspection to restore service. We keep the board or managing agent updated at each step.
Can you schedule regular kitchen line jetting for our building?
Yes. Many apartment buildings do better with the kitchen stacks and building drain cleaned on a set schedule. We coordinate access with the super, jet from accessible cleanouts, and can camera the lines to check their condition.
Do you work on the detached houses in Kensington too?
Yes. We repair and replace boilers and water heaters, clear and replace sewer laterals, fix leaks and update old piping in Kensington's row houses and detached homes. Estimates on replacement work are free, and financing is available through Wisetack.
