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Manhattan · Emergency

Emergency plumbing in Manhattan apartments

In a Manhattan apartment, the valve that stops a leak is often not yours to turn, and the leak may start in someone else's home. Here's what to do in the first minutes, and how emergencies work in co-ops, condos and rentals.

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Call about a Manhattan emergency1-888-503-1510

Takes about a minute. Tell us what's happening, what kind of building it is, and the town or neighborhood.

First, right now
  1. Close the fixture valve if the leak is in your apartment (under the sink, behind the toilet).
  2. Call the super or doorman; they can shut the riser and reach the unit above.
  3. Keep away from wet light fixtures and outlets.
  4. Smell gas? Leave and call 911 or Con Edison from outside.

01Emergency plumbing in Manhattan: at a glance

Who controls the shutoffs
Usually building staff: risers serve vertical lines of apartments, and there's often no apartment-wide shutoff you can reach
Where leaks come from
The unit above (shower pan, toilet, appliance), a riser, or a roof or facade in rain
Who can do the work
A NYC Licensed Master Plumber; many co-ops and condos also require insurance certificates and approved hours
Emergency filing
An LMP can start emergency work under an Emergency Work Notification and file with DOB afterward
Gas
Con Edison serves Manhattan. Gas emergencies go to 911 or Con Edison, not a plumber

New to this topic? The general guide covers the basics: emergency plumbing.

02What's different in Manhattan

  • Your building runs the response. In most Manhattan buildings, the super or managing agent has to be involved: only they can shut risers, enter the apartment above, and authorize work on building lines.
  • Building rules apply even in emergencies. Co-ops and condos often require the plumber to carry specific insurance and to name the building on the certificate. Have your managing agent's contact handy.
  • Leaks travel down. In stacked apartments, a leak can show up two floors below its source. Expect the plumber to check the units above.
  • Older buildings, older valves. In prewar buildings, riser valves may not close fully, so a shutoff can affect a whole line of apartments for longer.

03Typical situations

Manhattan emergencies by building typeNeighborhoods and building types are examples. Every property is different.
BuildingTypical emergencyWho usually acts first
Prewar co-op (UWS, UES, Washington Heights)Riser or branch pipe leak; old valvesSuper shuts the riser; building plumber or approved LMP repairs
Walk-up rental (East Village, LES, Hell's Kitchen)Burst supply line, kitchen stack backupLandlord or super; tenant reports and protects belongings
Condo tower (Midtown, FiDi, Hudson Yards)Failed supply hose or valve in a unit; leak into the unit belowBuilding management; unit owner arranges in-unit repair
Townhouse (Harlem, the Village)Main-line backup or burst pipe in the cellarOwner closes the main shutoff and calls a plumber directly

04How the job usually goes in Manhattan

  1. Stop the water: fixture valve, or building staff shut the riser
  2. Find the source, which often means checking the apartment or apartments above
  3. Make a temporary or permanent repair; for emergency work the LMP can file an Emergency Work Notification and complete DOB paperwork afterward
  4. Restore water to the line as quickly as possible for the other apartments on it
  5. Document the cause and repairs for the building and for insurance

05Permits, licenses & who to contact

  • Plumbing work: NYC Licensed Master Plumber. Verify a license
  • Emergency work: Emergency Work Notification, then the Limited Alteration Application in DOB NOW
  • Building approvals: insurance certificates and access rules set by the co-op board or condo association
  • Renters: if repairs aren't made, contact 311

06What affects the price in Manhattan

  • Time of day and how quickly the source is reached
  • Access to the unit above and to risers inside walls
  • Building requirements such as insurance certificates and approved hours
  • Whether the repair touches a riser (building) or only your fixtures (often you)
  • Wall, ceiling and tile restoration, often by other trades

Prices are set by the plumber. Ask for the price, or how it will be calculated, before work starts.

07Before you call

Having this ready makes the first call faster:

  • Your super's and managing agent's phone numbers
  • Whether you rent or own (co-op or condo)
  • Where the water is coming from and whether it's clean or dirty
  • The unit number above you
  • Photos for insurance

08Manhattan: frequently asked questions

Can I call my own plumber in a Manhattan co-op?

For work inside your apartment, often yes, as long as they meet the building's licensing and insurance requirements. For risers and building lines, the building usually uses its own plumber.

Who pays when the apartment above floods mine?

It depends on where the leak started and on your building's documents; damage is usually handled through insurance. See co-op & condo responsibilities.

Do emergency repairs need a permit in NYC?

Some do. A Licensed Master Plumber can start emergency work immediately and file the paperwork afterward.

Related local guides

More local guides coming.

Sources & review

Last reviewed . General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and individual buildings differ.

  1. NYC Department of Buildings, Limited Alteration Applications & Emergency Work Notifications
  2. NYC Department of Buildings, Plumbing Permits