Leaks and emergencies
Burst pipes, frozen pipes and water where it should not be. What to do before anything else.
Plumbing tips for New City, NY homes
New City's large colonials and split levels, many from the 1960s to the 1980s, have their own plumbing patterns. Here is what to watch for, and how to find a licensed plumber.
New City is the county seat and the largest hamlet in Clarkstown. Its neighborhoods were built out mostly between the late 1950s and the 1980s, in waves of colonials, split levels and raised ranches on generous lots. It is a place of big houses with several bathrooms, finished basements, and plumbing that has been extended more than once.
What the houses have
- Colonials and splits from the 1960s and 1970s have copper supply and, in the earlier ones, cast iron drains that are now old. Later houses have plastic drains, which last well.
- Multiple bathrooms put a lot of demand on a water heater sized for a smaller family. Running out of hot water is a common complaint, and the answer is often a larger tank or a second heater rather than a repair.
- Finished basements mean sump pumps, and often an ejector pump for a basement bathroom. Both need testing before storm season, and both stop when the power does.
- Raised ranches have the water heater and boiler at ground level, close to the garage. Pipes in the garage wall freeze first.
Water and drainage
New City is on public water and sewer. Its many mature trees are good for the streets and bad for the sewer laterals: roots in the line are a common cause of repeated main line blockages in houses with big trees in the front yard, and a camera inspection tells you how bad the pipe is.
Heat
Hot water baseboard is the norm, zoned by floor. A cold zone in one part of the house is usually a zone valve or air in that loop rather than the boiler.
When you need a professional
Plumbers working in New City hold a Rockland County license. The Find a plumber page opens a search near New City and explains how to verify a license with the county.
Plumbing topics for New City
Drains and toilets
Slow sinks, blocked tubs and toilets that run all night. Most of these you can fix yourself.
Water heaters
How long they last, how to look after one, and the warning signs that it is about to fail.
Boilers and radiators
Hot water and steam heating is common in Rockland homes. A little routine care goes a long way.
Faucets and fixtures
Dripping faucets, weak showers and the small jobs that are well within reach of a careful beginner.
Seasonal care and hiring a plumber
A short checklist for each season, and how to choose and check a plumber when the job is beyond you.
Common questions
Why do so many New City houses have low pressure upstairs?
Big houses on two or three levels, with the supply line and pressure sized decades ago. Often the water pressure is fine and the pipe is simply too small for the number of bathrooms added since. A pressure reading at an outdoor faucet is the first step.
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in New City?
Yes for most work beyond simple repairs: water heaters, new fixtures in new locations, gas work and drain alterations. Permits come from the Town of Clarkstown building department, and a licensed plumber applies for them.
Need a professional?
Some jobs are not for a weekend. Here is how to find a plumber near you in Rockland County and check the license before work starts.