01Homes in Newark and their plumbing
| Building type | Where you'll often find it | Typical plumbing concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Two- & three-family houses | Ironbound, North Ward, Vailsburg, West Ward, South Ward | Shared drains, water heaters per unit, old cast iron |
| Brownstones & rowhouses | Forest Hill, Lincoln Park, Central Ward | Cast iron, galvanized supply, renovations |
| Apartment buildings | Downtown, University Heights | Risers, stacks, central hot water |
02Common plumbing problems
- Shared drain and sewer line clogs in multifamily houses
- Old galvanized and cast-iron plumbing
- Water heater replacement
- Basement water after heavy rain
- Frozen pipes in older houses
03Licensing & permits
- Who can do the work
- NJ licensed master plumbers, or employees under their supervision. A homeowner may work on their own single-family home. Details
- Permits
- Construction office of Newark, under the NJ Uniform Construction Code. How NJ permits work
- Plumbing code
- National Standard Plumbing Code (UCC plumbing subcode)
- Lead service lines
- NJ water utilities must replace lead service lines, generally within 10 years of the 2021 law; you may get a letter from yours
04Water, sewer & gas
- Water & sewer
- Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities, which ran a citywide lead service line replacement program
- Gas
- PSE&G
Providers vary by street and town. Your bill shows which one serves your address. Smell gas? Leave and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
05Neighborhoods
- Ironbound
- North Ward
- Forest Hill
- Vailsburg
- Weequahic
- Clinton Hill
- University Heights
- Downtown
- Lincoln Park
06Newark plumbing FAQ
Was my Newark lead service line replaced?
Newark replaced lead service lines across the city. If you're unsure about your address, ask the Newark Department of Water & Sewer Utilities, or have a plumber look at the pipe where it enters the house.
Who fixes plumbing in a Newark two-family rental?
Generally the owner. Tenants should report problems to the landlord in writing.
07Nearby areas
Sources & review
Last reviewed . General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and individual buildings differ.