Nationwide Plumbers has been a NYC licensed plumbing contractor since 1984, under Licensed Master Plumber License #2023. In Nolita we replace gas risers, service steam boilers, handle Local Law 152 inspections and clear drains, with 24/7 dispatch. Call 718-748-2727.
Nolita covers the blocks of Mott, Mulberry and Elizabeth Streets between Houston and Broome, from Lafayette Street east to the Bowery. Most buildings are five and six-story walk-up tenements from the late 1800s and early 1900s, with apartments above and small boutiques, cafes and restaurants at street level. St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, with its walled churchyard on Mulberry and Mott, is the neighborhood's best-known landmark.
Tenements were built before modern plumbing was standard, so bathrooms, kitchens and heat were added in stages over the decades. Today that means narrow pipe chases, steam heat from a basement boiler, gas risers feeding every apartment's stove, and long-serving drain stacks. Storefronts below often have small kitchens or coffee bars that add grease and heavy water use to the same building lines.
Services we offer in Nolita
- Gas riser replacement in walk-up buildings
- Local Law 152 inspections and GPS2 filings
- Gas restoration after a Con Edison shutoff
- Steam boiler repair and Local Law 151 radiator inspections
- Drain stack cleaning and cast iron repair
- Cafe and restaurant drain service with our own jetter
- Apartment bathroom and kitchen plumbing
- Water heater replacement for buildings and storefronts
Common plumbing issues in Nolita
Gas risers in old tenements
Gas risers in walk-ups have often been in service for many decades. When a leak is found, Con Edison may shut gas to the riser or the whole building, leaving tenants without stoves. Restoring service means repairing or replacing the riser, pressure testing and filing with the city. We plan the job to get gas back as quickly as the process allows.
Steam heat in narrow walk-ups
Five-story tenements usually run one-pipe steam from a boiler in the cellar. Top floor apartments overheat while lower ones stay cool, or radiators bang when the heat comes up. Main vents, radiator vents and pitch are the usual suspects. We correct the system and handle Local Law 151 radiator inspections.
Shared lines with ground-floor cafes
Coffee shops and small restaurants send milk, grease and food solids into lines that may also serve the apartments above. Buildup in the shared house drain can back up into the cellar. Hydro jetting cleans the pipe wall, and a camera check confirms the line is clear and intact. We can also set up a regular cleaning schedule.
Why Nolita residents choose Nationwide Plumbers
- Gas riser and LL152 work by a Licensed Master Plumber
- Written estimate before work starts, 1-year labor warranty
- COIs for landlords, boards and managing agents
- 24/7 dispatch for gas and leak emergencies
Service area in and around Nolita
We service all of Nolita, Manhattan (ZIP 10012), including the area bounded by:
- North: Houston Street
- South: Broome Street
- East: Bowery
- West: Lafayette Street
Nearby neighborhoods we also serve: SoHo, Little Italy, NoHo, Lower East Side and Chinatown. For our full coverage, see our Manhattan service area page.
Plumbing in Nolita: FAQ
Con Edison shut off the gas in our building. What now?
A Licensed Master Plumber must find and repair the leak, pressure test the piping and file the work before Con Edison restores service. We do each of those steps and keep the owner and tenants informed. Read more about gas restoration.
Is our walk-up covered by Local Law 152?
If the building has gas piping and three or more apartments, or a commercial space, it is covered. Inspections are on a four-year cycle by community district. We confirm the due date, inspect the piping and file the GPS2.
Can you replace a bathroom in a tenement apartment?
Yes. We work within tight chases and old framing, replace supply and drain piping back to the riser where needed, and file the work with the Department of Buildings when required. Call 718-748-2727 for a free estimate on renovation work.
Do you replace water heaters for small storefronts?
Yes. Cafes, salons and small shops often use compact tank or tankless water heaters. We size a replacement to the actual demand, check gas and venting and install it with a permit where required, with a written estimate before work.
