Plumbing & heating in the Bronx
The Bronx borders Yonkers and Mount Vernon directly, so the north and east Bronx are a short drive for us. Most of the borough's housing is prewar: walk-up and elevator apartment buildings with central steam plants, plus attached and detached one- and two-family homes in neighborhoods like Throgs Neck, Pelham Bay, Morris Park, Woodlawn and Wakefield.
What we see in the Bronx homes
Prewar multi-family homes and walk-ups
In the Bronx's two- and three-family houses and walk-ups, one boiler usually heats every unit, so a breakdown affects several households at once and the landlord's heat obligations kick in immediately. These buildings often have large, oversized steam boilers from decades past, failed main vents, and radiators that were moved or disconnected during unit renovations. We fix the immediate no-heat issue first, then look at the venting and water-level problems that cause recurring calls.
The plumbing in the Bronx's older multi-family buildings has typically been patched for generations: galvanized supply risers, cast iron stacks, lead-caulked joints and a house trap at the front wall. Leaks between floors, slow stacks and low pressure on upper units are the common calls. We trace problems to the riser or branch they come from rather than fixing one apartment at a time.
Co-op, condo and apartment buildings
For co-op, condo and rental buildings in the Bronx, we work with boards, managing agents and supers on central heating plants, riser problems, unit-level radiator and valve work, and heat complaints. We provide the insurance certificates and documentation management companies typically require.
In the Bronx's apartment buildings, a leak in one unit is often caused by a riser or fixture in the unit above. We coordinate access between units and with building management, and we schedule riser shutdowns so they disrupt as few residents as possible.
Older single-family homes with steam or gravity heat
Many of the Bronx's older homes still run on their original one-pipe steam systems, often with a boiler that has been replaced once or twice and never resized. Steam works well when it is set up correctly: proper near-boiler piping, adequately sized main vents, correct pressure settings and pitched pipes. We see plenty of homes where fixing those basics ended years of banging pipes and cold rooms.
Homes of this age in the Bronx usually still have some original galvanized supply pipe and cast iron drains. Galvanized pipe closes up with rust from the inside, which causes low pressure upstairs and brown water. Cast iron eventually cracks along the bottom of horizontal runs. We replace these sections selectively or all at once, depending on condition and budget.
Waterfront and flood-prone basements
In low-lying and waterfront parts of the Bronx, boilers and burners in basements are exposed to flooding and salt air. After a flood, a boiler that took on water should be inspected before it is restarted. Controls, burners and gas valves exposed to floodwater often need replacement. When replacing equipment, we look at raising it or relocating it above flood level.
Waterfront and low-lying the Bronx properties deal with high groundwater and storm backups. Reliable sump pumps with battery backup, sewer backwater valves and properly sloped discharge lines are the best protection.
Permits & local rules
In the Bronx, plumbing and gas work falls under the NYC Department of Buildings and must be performed by or under a NYC Licensed Master Plumber; boiler work is also subject to NYC boiler rules.
NYC heat season runs October 1 through May 31. Building owners must maintain at least 68°F indoors during the day when it is below 55°F outside, and 62°F overnight. Boiler work in NYC is also subject to DOB boiler rules and inspections.
Neighborhoods & ZIP codes we serve
Neighborhoods: Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Woodlawn, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Bay, Throgs Neck, Country Club, City Island, Parkchester, Co-op City, Baychester, Eastchester, Van Nest, Castle Hill, Soundview.
ZIP codes: 10451, 10452, 10453, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10457, 10458, 10459, 10460, 10461, 10462, 10463, 10464, 10465, 10466, 10467, 10468, 10469, 10470, 10471, 10472, 10473, 10474, 10475.
