The NYC Department of Buildings has strict codes in place to make sure that local buildings are safe to live and work in. They also strictly enforce these codes, and a property that has a plumbing violation may find their utilities like gas and water shut off until the issue can be fixed by a licensed master plumber in NYC.
Unfortunately, many property owners do not realize they have a plumbing violation on their property until an inspection reveals them or they start causing problems that tenants or neighbors report. If old renovations or recurring plumbing issues on your property cause you to suspect an issue, knowing what to look for now might help you avoid a violation and service interruption in the future.
Potential Plumbing Violations at Local Residential and Commercial Properties
The majority of plumbing code violations in Manhattan, Staten Island, and Brooklyn are due to incorrect or outdated work by a previous contractor. Many of the city’s older buildings have been renovated several times, and many potential plumbing problems may have been put in place before you owned the building.
But because you are currently responsible for the building being up to code, these are the problems a licensed master plumber often needs to fix:
- Improper Drain Slopes – Most drains are sloped so that gravity can naturally carry waste water away. If the drain slope is too shallow, water can flow backwards and return to the property. This can require a licensed master plumber to replace pipes.
- Too Few Clean-Outs – A clean-out provides access to plumbing for maintenance. There needs to be at least one every 100 feet, and whenever there is a direction change in the line that is greater than 45 degrees.
- Inaccessible Clean-Outs – Even if you have the right number of clean-outs, they cannot be obstructed. This includes placement behind a physical block, in a flood area, or near an electrical box. Additional clean-outs would generally need to be added by a master plumber.
- Not Enough Space Around Toilets – A toilet needs 15 inches of clearance from the center of the bowl to any wall, vanity, or other partition. It also needs 30 inches of clearance between showers, tubs, and sinks. Fixing this violation may require adjusting water supply and sewage pipes.
- Wrong Fittings or Materials – This is a common issue with gas piping systems and sewage systems. An unlicensed contractor who substitutes cheap fittings or materials for the right ones can create a system that clogs, has backflow, cannot handle pressure, or deteriorates over time.
While many of the plumbing violations fall into these categories, this is far from the only violations that homeowners or property owners can deal with. Empire Plumbing Inc is a licensed master plumber in NYC that can identify issues with gas piping systems and other plumbing systems and make any fix necessary to bring them up to code. Whether you need violation removal or want a pre-inspection of your property, call us to learn more about how we can help.