What you don’t see may hurt you…
We’re all familiar with the common plumbing repairs of faucets and shower bodies, leaking pipes beneath the kitchen sink and the common running toilet. But, attached to these common household fixtures (and buried in the walls) are separate piping systems for hot and cold water distribution, waste and storm drainage, gas distribution and the all-important ventilation--without which drainage doesn’t flow properly.
Fred Smith specializes in the repair of and maintenance of all these invisible systems. After nearly a century of working in New York buildings, troubleshooting skills is like a sixth sense to us. (One happy client once referred to us as “The Plumbing Whisperer.” Tracking down complex problems and knowing when, where and how to open a wall is our specialty.
Common plumbing system problems we solve include:
System Leaks
Leaks can occur at any point in a system and often be very tricky to troubleshoot because the place where the problems present themselves can be a long way from the source. Knowing when and where to open a wall --- and doing it with minimal damage and expense is almost an art form. And it’s one we have mastered.
Lack of Water Pressure or Hot Water
What New Yorker hasn’t suffered this problem before work? A multitude of reasons can cause these problems – corrosion in the branch piping or defective valves, faulty fixtures or mechanical equipment, air circulating in the system, a buildup of sediment somewhere and the list goes on. Whatever the issue, we’ve got our own set of diagnostic protocols and they always work. Faster than you can sing your favorite shower medley, we’ll find the culprit and make things right.
Broken Valves
Plumbing systems have many moving parts and valves are one of them. Valves get broken – in every system – usually just from years of use. Sometimes replacement is the only remedy and this can be expensive. To save you that expense, Fred Smith is the only company that keeps a vast supply of old valve parts in stock and ready to go. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that our warehouse is kind of like the Smithsonian of plumbing.
Installation of Water Meters
The City requires water meters on most buildings and provides strict guidelines on how to install them. Filing the work with the appropriate City agency is made easy by Fred Smith’s full time expediter.
Backflow Preventors
New York State and the City are both concerned about the prevention of the reverse flow of contaminated water into a building’s water supply. Fred Smith installs backflow preventers and employs a full time certified tester who is well versed in these systems.
Gas Distribution Systems
Needless to say, special care must be taken when working on gas lines. Filings and tests must be done by both the Department of Buildings and Con Edison. Fred Smith Plumbing responds to gas problems immediately, is able to work closely with Con Edison and the City to remedy the problem quickly and in compliance with all codes and regulations. Fred Smith is considered the best in the city when it comes to managing large gas projects--we have the experience and manpower to get your building turned back on when Con Edison turns it off.
