Field guides · Service advisories
NYC plumbing guides
Plain-English answers for the city’s plumbing problems — what to do first, what the law actually requires, who’s licensed to do the work, and when to dispatch. Written by the Reset dispatch desk. No fluff, no scare tactics.
2026-06-12Burst pipe in NYC: the first 10 minutesThe first 10 minutes of a burst pipe in NYC: find the shutoff, get the super or 311 moving, cut power near water, document for insurance, then dispatch a licensed plumber.2026-06-12How to verify a plumber's license in NYCWhat a Licensed Master Plumber is, why NYC DOB licensing matters for gas and permits, how to look up any license on the DOB roster, what insurance to ask for, and the red flags.2026-06-12No hot water in your NYC apartment: rights and next stepsNYC landlords must provide hot water year-round at a 120°F minimum at the tap. What to check first, how to put your landlord on notice, the 311/HPD path, and when it's your own water heater.2026-06-12Replacing a water heater in NYC: the straight versionTank vs tankless in NYC buildings, sizing basics by household, why gas water heaters require a Licensed Master Plumber and DOB permits, and the factors that actually drive cost.2026-06-19Frozen pipes in NYC: prevention and safe thawingWhy prewar NYC buildings freeze — uninsulated risers, exterior walls, vacant lines — how to prevent it, what to do the moment you find a frozen pipe, how to thaw it safely, and the signs it's about to burst.2026-06-19Sewer backup in an NYC building: what to doA drain or sewer backup in an NYC building: immediate health-and-safety steps, how to tell your line from the city main, NYC DEP's role, what a plumber does with a camera, snake, and hydro-jet, and who pays.2026-06-19No heat in your NYC apartment: heat season and your rightsNYC heat season runs October 1 through May 31 with legal minimum indoor temperatures. What the law requires in plain English, how to document and put your landlord on notice, the 311/HPD path, and when it's a boiler a plumber fixes.2026-06-19No water or a suspected water main break in NYCSudden no water in an NYC building: how to check if it's just you, NYC DEP versus building responsibility, water main and shutoff basics, the difference between a service-line and a city-main problem, and when to dispatch a plumber.2026-06-19What a plumber costs in NYC: what actually drives the priceWhat drives plumbing cost in NYC — scope, access, prewar building conditions, permits and licensing, materials, and time of day — and how Reset shows pricing up front as price bands plus published trip fees, with the quote confirmed before any work begins.2026-06-19How to choose an emergency plumber in NYC without getting scammedHow to pick an emergency plumber fast in NYC without getting scammed: verify the NYC DOB Licensed Master Plumber license, demand an upfront price, check live availability, and spot the cash-only, no-license red flags — and how Reset is built to make all four quick.