Emergencies
A burst pipe or a flooding basement. The first five minutes decide how bad it gets.
Plumbing tips for Ridgewood, NJ homes
Ridgewood's large houses from the 1900s to the 1930s are handsome and their plumbing is old. Here is what to expect, what to fix first, and how to find a licensed plumber.
Ridgewood is a village of large houses on tree-lined streets, most of them built between about 1900 and 1935: colonials, Tudors and Dutch colonials with slate roofs and, behind their plaster walls, plumbing of the same vintage. Many have been thoroughly renovated. Some have been renovated in the visible places only.
What the houses have
- Galvanized supply pipe is the defining issue. It rusts shut from the inside over decades, so pressure on the second and third floors falls year by year. A house that has had a repipe in copper or PEX is a different proposition from one that has not; ask, and look at the exposed pipe in the basement.
- Cast iron drains and clay laterals, with the village's mature trees to find every joint. A camera inspection before buying is money well spent here.
- Steam and hot water heat, with big cast iron radiators. The systems are durable, and their annual service is not optional.
- Third-floor bathrooms in converted attics, where pressure is lowest and pipes run close to a cold roof.
- Old shut-off valves that have not been turned in decades and may not close when you need them. Replacing the main valve is a small job that removes a large risk.
Water
Ridgewood Water's supply is moderately hard. Flushing the water heater yearly, cleaning shower heads, and considering a softener for a house with a well-water taste are the practical responses.
Basements
Fieldstone and early concrete foundations let water in during a wet spring. Sump pumps are common, and a battery backup is worth having in a house with a finished basement.
When you need a professional
A New Jersey master plumber license can be verified online in about a minute, and for an old house it is worth asking specifically about experience with steam and with galvanized replacement. The Find a plumber page opens a search near Ridgewood and walks through the license check.
Plumbing topics for Ridgewood
Clogs and drains
Kitchen sinks, tubs, toilets and the old sewer lines under many Bergen County streets.
Hot water
Looking after a water heater, and knowing when it has reached the end.
Steam and hot water heat
Older Bergen County houses often have radiators. They are simple systems once you understand them.
Kitchen and bath fixes
The small repairs that save a service call, with honest notes on how hard each one is.
Upkeep and hiring
Seasonal checks, and how to hire a plumber in New Jersey without regretting it.
Common questions
Where does Ridgewood's water come from?
The village runs its own water utility, Ridgewood Water, which also serves neighboring towns and draws largely on wells. The water is on the hard side, which shows in water heaters, shower heads and dishwashers over time.
Should I replace the galvanized pipe in my Ridgewood house all at once?
If the pressure upstairs is poor and the water runs rusty in the morning, the galvanized pipe is near the end, and a complete repipe is better value than chasing leaks one at a time. Doing it during a kitchen or bathroom renovation, while the walls are open, is the cheapest moment.
Need a professional?
When it is more than a quick fix, search for plumbers near your town and verify the New Jersey license in a minute.