Nationwide Plumbers is a NYC Licensed Master Plumber (License #2023), in business since 1984 with 24/7 emergency dispatch. In East Harlem, El Barrio, we handle gas risers, Local Law 152, boilers, drains, sump pumps and water heaters. Call 718-748-2727.
East Harlem, also known as El Barrio and Spanish Harlem, runs from East 96th Street to the Harlem River, east of Fifth Avenue. Much of the housing is old law and new law tenements and five story walk-ups from the late 1800s and early 1900s, with row houses on some side streets and large apartment complexes closer to the river. East 116th Street is the main shopping street, La Marqueta sits under the Park Avenue viaduct, and the 6 train runs up Lexington Avenue.
Along Fifth Avenue, El Museo del Barrio and the Museum of the City of New York mark the western edge, and Thomas Jefferson Park sits near the East River. For plumbing, the tenements set the tone: gas risers that serve every stove in the building, steam boilers, and building drains shared with the restaurants and shops below. Our technicians speak Spanish and English, and we give a written estimate before work starts.
Services we offer in East Harlem
- Gas riser replacement and gas leak repair in tenements
- Local Law 152 inspections and GPS2 filings
- Gas restoration after a utility shutoff
- Steam boiler repair and Local Law 151 radiator work
- Restaurant and bodega drain cleaning and hydro jetting on 116th Street
- Sump and sewage ejector pumps for low cellars near the river
- Water heater replacement for row houses and small buildings
- Property management accounts for building owners
Common plumbing issues in East Harlem
No gas after a leak
In a tenement, one gas leak can mean the utility shuts off gas to the entire building, and every family loses the use of their stove. Getting it back requires finding all the leaks, repairing or replacing risers, pressure testing, and completing the filings. We do that work and keep owners and tenants informed in English and Spanish.
Low cellars near the Harlem River
Blocks close to the East River and the Harlem River Drive sit on low ground, and some cellars take on water during storms or when the street sewer surcharges. Boilers, meters and electrical panels in those cellars are at risk. A sump or ejector pump with an alarm, and a check of the building sewer, can keep water out.
Grease under 116th Street storefronts
Restaurants, cuchifrito stands and bakeries along East 116th Street and Third Avenue share building drains with apartments above. Grease and food waste build up until the line backs up into the cellar. We clear these lines with our van-mounted jetter, with a 45-day guarantee, and can camera them afterward.
Why East Harlem residents choose Nationwide Plumbers
- Technicians who speak Spanish, English and French
- Licensed Master Plumber, License #2023, for gas and LL152 work
- 24/7 dispatch for no gas, no heat and backups
- Written estimate before work starts and a 1-year labor warranty
Service area in and around East Harlem
We service all of East Harlem, Manhattan (ZIP 10029, 10035), including the area bounded by:
- North: Harlem River
- South: East 96th Street
- East: East River
- West: Fifth Avenue
Nearby neighborhoods we also serve: Harlem, Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, Manhattan Valley, Mott Haven and Port Morris. For our full coverage, see our Manhattan service area page.
Plumbing in East Harlem: FAQ
Hablan español sus plomeros?
Yes. Our technicians speak Spanish, English and French, so tenants, supers and owners in East Harlem can explain the problem and understand the estimate in the language they are most comfortable with. Call 718-748-2727 at any hour.
Our building's gas has been off for days. What is the holdup usually?
Usually it is the extent of the repairs. Every leak has to be found and fixed, and old risers often need replacing before the system passes a pressure test and the required sign-offs. We give the owner a written scope, do the work, and coordinate with the utility to restore service.
Does our walk-up need a Local Law 151 steam inspection?
Multifamily buildings heated with steam radiators fall under the city's steam radiator requirements. We inspect the boiler and radiators, make the needed repairs, and explain what the building must keep on record. Ask for a written estimate.
