Paul R. Balkan and David Balkan, the owners of Joseph L. Balkan Inc., are lifelong NYC residents and Queens homeowners as well. They full well understand how stressful an emergency plumbing repair can be. Because of their understanding they have tailored their business to relieve the apprehension and anxiety from the sewer line or water main repair experience. The Balkan Team provides emergency services that are truly unique in the NYC metropolitan area.

Free site visits

Paul R. Balkan Pres. (seated) and David Balkan VP

Balkan has a team of highly experienced field representatives and support staff available 16 hours a day Monday through Friday and 12 hours a day on weekends. But maybe more importantly these professionals are available to provide free site visits to your property any day if the week and at almost any hour. Frequently an experienced person assessing the situation can save on unneeded or incorrect plumbing repairs. No-one wants to replace a sewer or main water line due to a misdiagnosis. The Balkan staff ensures that a client in distress doesn’t act in haste.

Free and no-obligation estimates

How often do contractors give a verbal quote on some hazy scope of work – Only to result in a heated dispute with their client and job delays? There is never any guesswork with Balkans services or prices. All work water and sewer service work orders are clearly written in terms understandable to any homeowner, and a principal of the company is always on hand to answer any questions before they become disputes. In addition all work orders have written quotes that are clear and concise. When some contractors may look to get ‘their foot in the door’ Balkan looks to build long-term relationships and an impeccable reputation.

A uniform pricing policy

You can always rest assured that no matter the degree of emergency or time of day you will receive the fairest of prices. No matter if the water main or sewer work is planned or needs urgent attention Balkan utilizes a uniform pricing policy – A strictly enforced company policy is to never take advantage of a homeowner is distress and betray a trust. A well deserved reputation for fairness, integrity, and honesty is based upon policies such as this.

What’s behind the Balkan philosophy?

A full fleet for on-time service

When you think about it is simple – We all know what we expect when we call in a contractor to work on our home or property. We expect them to respect our time and be prompt, then to carefully evaluate the situation. If work is needed we expect a fair quote, given in writing with an unconditional guarantee on the work. We then expect the work to be performed as promised and when promised by workers under the direct supervision of the contractor. That should seem like basic stuff that we all expect – nothing extraordinary. Those are the things that we all expect.

Then why can’t the same people who expect these things for themselves, but happen to be in business, provide this for their own customers? The ugly answer is they do not want to – it is hard. At the foundation of Balkan is to treat other people, namely customers, vendors, and employees, as we would like to be treated ourselves. It is a company-wide commitment that is a mandate from the owners. From that basic commitment all other policies are developed in order to achieve that goal. Compassion, understanding, integrity, and fairness may seem odd traits nowadays for a contractor to have, but it is the only way the Balkan family knows how to conduct business. 

Standing the test of time

Balkan Plumbing Circa 1952

Some may think that if some corners aren’t cut, inferior materials used, employees underpaid, and guarantees ignored, how can a company stay in business and thrive – What’s the angle? Well sometimes the ‘good guys’ win - Joseph L. Balkan Inc. has been in continuous operation under the same exact name and using the same exact phone number for over 60 years. There is not another sewer and water main service company in New York City that can say that. In addition our reputation is unmatched – In good times and bad times alike our quality and level of service is unwavering. There are very good reasons why we have maintained our position as the largest NYC water main and sewer company, and the most trusted on too.

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

Stressing safety on a daily basis means constant attention to details and constant reminders to field forces that may tend to be primarily interested in completing a sewer or water main repair as quickly as possible. That could mean that on a rainy or foggy day reminding drivers to drive carefully and with their headlights on, and reminding backhoe drivers to drive with their revolving emergency beacon on. It also means inspecting personal safety gear on a daily basis to ensure an injury does not occur simply because someone forgot to ask for new safety glasses, or a new reflective vest.

OSHA Ten Hour Certification

But there are larger and more meaningful actions to take as well. In NYC a couple of years ago it became required by the Department Of Buildings that workers would have to be 10 hour OSHA certified in order to work on buildings 10 stories or higher. Many subsurface plumbing companies got on board and held classes individually on in groups to be in compliance, even though some plumbing companies  rarely worked on such structures. Joseph L. Balkan Inc. took it one step farther in that they hold follow-up courses for new hires and those employees that would like a refresher class. Balkans most recent class was held in May of 2012.

OSHA Ten Hour Certification

To make the safety class more meaningful Balkan held the class on consecutive Saturdays, five hours each. In this way the full impact of the class could be absorbed and the full benefit of working safely realized. A recent addition to the Balkan Employee Manual is a requirement that all field workers are OSHA certified either by attending a company sponsored class, or to attend a class at their own expense. Another option is to take the class on-line which is becoming a more popular option nowadays.

This class properly administered not only has a forceful verbal impact but through videos and photos an unforgettable visual impact as well. An example is how spending an extra $10.00 for steel tipped work boots can literally keep the toes attached to one’s feet. Another example is how wearing safety sunglasses can save an eye. Simple and inexpensive steps to prevent catastrophic injuries.

As standard policy Balkan supplies safety sunglasses free of charge and gives out a $20.00 show credit when safety tipped work boots are purchased – Steel tipped boots are the only foot wear permitted at Balkan.

Partnering with our vendors

Partnering with vendors typically means a contractor attempting to receive a discount on material or some other form of service. In the case of insurance it can mean showing the insurance carrier that you are supplying more than lip service to their suggestions on a full and comprehensive safety plan. It means a sincere effort to implement safe practices from which all concerned parties benefit.

One of Balkans insurance carriers agreed to actually teach the ten hour OSHA class to the field workers – The level of interest was so high that some office personnel and drivers also attended the class. Agreeing that safety is very important and following through are two very different things. Balkan is a water main and sewer contractor that is truly dedicated to providing safe work sites throughout the boroughs of NYC.

OSHA’s Outreach Training Program

courtesy osha.gov

The OSHA Outreach Training Program provides training for workers and employers on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in workplaces. The program also provides information regarding workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint. This is a voluntary program and does not meet training requirements for any OSHA standards.

Through this program, workers can attend 10-hour or 30-hour classes delivered by OSHA-authorized trainers. The 10-hour class is intended for entry level workers, while the 30-hour class is more appropriate for supervisors or workers with some safety responsibility. Through this training, OSHA helps to ensure that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights, and contribute to our nation’s productivity.

Balkan Stays Ahead Of The Curve

The original intent of the 10 hour training class was a basic introduction to safety and meant to be applied to larger type buildings. However even in the brief time since its implementation this certification has been required more and more frequently – Safety has become an ever increasing concern for all parties. Different municipalities and counties have their particular  circumstances where the certification of training is required. However on an increasing basis it is required for smaller scale projects in terms of dollar amount and building size.

It is not unreasonable to expect in the near future that work on non but small residential properties will require OSHA training. Staying ahead of the curve is vital to remaining at the forefront of the NYC sewer and water main industry – That is why Balkan is 100% OSHA certified.

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

The NYC DEP code for depth of a water service line

The minimum depth for a water service line in New York City is 3 1/2′ as per DEP code for water service lines – Interestingly the maximum allowable depth is 5′ deep unless authorization is given by the DEP inspection division. Yet another issue is that code dictates that a water service line be a minimum of 1′ away from other underground utility lines. One of the issues with a service touching another utility is the possibility of electrolysis which occurs when unlike metals stay in contact with each-other – As an example this can occur when a copper main is in touch with a cast iron gas main.

The frost level in NYC and other important factors

In the coldest of New York City winters the frost level will only reach 3′ deep. Typically the frost level does not approach that depth – But note that different soil types containing different moisture levels freeze to different depths. If an underground water line does freeze it is most difficult and frequently quite expensive to defrost it. In many cases a frozen line cannot be defrosted and a property owner is left with making a decision on whether to wait for the whether to warm up and the line to thaw out, or to completely replace the water line.

Another interesting issue that can arise is when a water main is very close to or touching a gas main during the winter. There have been instances where the gas main generates extreme cold, and even though buried at the proper depth a water main will freeze solid. This is another good reason to keep ample separation or use insulation between water and gas service or main lines.

Steps to prevent a water service from freezing

Proper installation for a shallow main

When a water line is installed less than  3 1/2′ deep there are three parts to a successful installation that will be to code and be long-lasting. If any one of these steps is left out the integrity of the installation may be compromised and also may not be to DEP code requirements.

•  Hair felt insulation - Specific insulation is required for underground conditions. If the wrong insulation is used such as typical fiberglass household insulation it will compress and lose it’s insulating properties. Hair felt insulation is designed to withstand ground conditions and be long-lasting – It is much more expensive than other forms of insulation.
• Plastic  protection - If insulation is placed around an installation but not protected moisture and other factors will wear it out and make it disintegrate. Protective plastic carefully placed around the proper insulating material ensures that the line will be protected from freezing for many years.
• Steel plating - Shallow utility lines of any sort are more subject to being disrupted by jackhammer work, excavation work, and vibration from every-day vehicular traffic. Steel plating braced on either side by solid masonry blocks will protect a service line form being disrupted by excavation work, or broken by future use of a jackhammer. In addition steel plating disperses the affects of vibration caused by traffic.
• Proper separation between utility lines - As stated previously, even is at the proper depth a water line can freeze is installed too closely to a gas main or if not properly protected. Unless field conditions prevent it there should be at least a 1′ separation between different utility service lines of main lines. If this is not possible is is a good idea to place insulation between the two lines – Under no circumstances should two different service lines or mains be in actual contact with each-other.

What is hair-felt insulation?

-courtesy of refrigers.com

Felt insulation

Hair-felt insulation is usually made from pure cattle hair that has been especially prepared and cleaned. It is a very good insulator against heat, having a low thermal conductivity. If more than one thickness of hair felt is desired, it should be built up in layers.

The important point to remember is that this type of insulation must be carefully sealed against any air or moisture infiltration, and even then difficulties may occur after it has been installed. At any point where air infiltration (or “breathing,” as it is called) is permitted to occur, condensation will start and travel great distances along the pipe, even undermining the insulation that is properly sealed.

There are several other types of pipe insulation available, but they are not used extensively. These include various types of wrapped and felt insulation. Whatever insulation is used, it should be critically examined to see whether it will provide the protection and permanency required of it; otherwise, it should never be considered.

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

Why stray DC current is harmful to certain water lines

Unlike metals touching causes electrolysis

Different water main materials have different properties including how well they conduct electricity. As an example lead and ductile iron pipe are very poor conductors of electricity and are rarely affected by stray electric current. However copper and brass are very good at carrying electric current – Wiring is typically copper insulated with rubber or plastic. Unfortunately K copper tubing and brass to a lesser degree are not meant to carry electricity – If current travels through a copper main it will usually rot out in a year or so and leak. 

Interestingly a lead water main may be unaffected for many years by stray current and problems may only become apparent when a new copper main is installed. Unfortunately many areas where electrolysis exists are not known at the time of the new installation – The problem does not become apparent until the new service line leaks. Many areas in NYC that are known to have stray DC current have remained unattended to for many years – One such area is Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill between Lefferts Boulevard and 127^th Street under the elevated train tracks.

Signs of electrolysis - K copper will turn green and become pitted in a very short period of time. If these two symptoms are present do not take them lightly – Proper precautions must be made!

What can be done?

In New York City water service line materials for lines sized 2″ and less are limited to copper and brass – both conductors of electricity. Non-conductive materials cannot be substituted. However very successful steps can be taken to avoid damage due to stray DC current, unless the condition is corrected by the utility provider themselves beforehand – These steps make the job much more costly than a typical water main replacement.

Plastic tubing used to prevent electrolysis

Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service has been able to provide long-lasting installations for new water lines by installing them through plastic tubing which is two sizes larger than the service line – As an example 2″ plastic tubing is used when installing an 1 1/4″ line. Where the copper has to be exposed, such as the ‘swing’ going to the tap connection at the city main, special insulating tape is used where plastic tubing cannot be utilized. In addition dielectric couplings should be used between the tap connection and the service line, and the inside plumbing and the service line – Installing dielectric couplings isolates the copper tubing from any possible electric current emanating form either the city water main or inside the house.

If dielectric couplings are used one more step has to be taken. Typically the water service line for a building is used as a secondary ground if the main electric ground for the building fails. Once these couplings are used the water line can no longer function as a ground – An appropriate metal pole would have to be sunk into the ground under the basement floor of the building and then used as the secondary ground for the buildings electrical system.

Needless to say a correct and proper installation as described above requires skill, expertise, special materials, and additional labor. However if the above steps are taken the water line replacement installation will be long-lasting as opposed to rotted out and leaking in a year or so – Additional cost is better than paying twice and still not having the right job.

How good is your guarantee?

It is typical for a guarantee on a water main replacement to exclude damage from electrolysis. If the condition is unknown a contractor would have no idea that certain precautions have to be taken, and this exclusion is only fair. However frequently the condition is known and the contractor can use this exclusion as a means to escape responsibility for poor and irresponsible work. If you are one the few unlucky property owners to be located where underground DC  current exists, make sure an electrolysis exclusion is not part of you contract guarantee.

 What exactly is a dielectric coupling?

-courtesy wikipedia

Dielectric coupling

In addition to a standard union, there exist dielectric unions which are used to separate dissimilar metals (such as copper and galvanized steel) to avoid the damaging effects of galvanic corrosion. When two dissimilar metals are in contact with an electrically conductive solution (even tap water is conductive), they will form a battery and generate a voltage by electrolysis. When the two metals are in direct contact with each other, the electric current from one metal to the other will cause a movement of ions from one to the other, dissolving one metal and depositing it on the other. A dielectric union breaks the electric current path with a plastic liner between two halves of the union, thus limiting galvanic corrosion.

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

 This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

The subsurface plumbing installations for this project posed special challenges due to it’s location only a couple of hundred feet from the ocean. That meant that ground water had to be removed in order to perform the sewer installations. It also meant that the building utilized a spread footing – meaning the water services at some point had to be installed with offsets to avoid the larger than normal concrete footings for the buildings.

De-watering a ground water condition

Ground water condition

De-watering a ground water condition

Part of the sewer installation  involved building a new NYC DEP approved manhole in the roadway. In doing this one of the first steps is building a concrete bad reinforced with re-bar under the city sewer pipe in the roadway. In order to do so a series of well points (similar as that used to draw water from the ground) had to be sunk under the sub-base and connected to pumps until the water level was lowered. At that time with the well points still running an approved ready-mix concrete was poured to form the base for the new manhole. Balkan stocks are sorts of specialty tools and equipment including well points and an array of various size and type of pumps.

Core drill penetrations

Penetrations for new service lines

Due to the size of the structure the foundation walls for the buildings were much thicker than is typical. In order to provide a point of entry for the water and sewer services penetrations had to be made through the foundation wall – Using a jackhammer to do this would be extremely time consuming and could actually damage the foundation. At no additional charge Balkan provided a skilled core-drill technician to provide all required penetrations through the wall. Because all required sizes of diamond blade bits are in stock the work proceeded without a hitch. At the conclusion of the installation all penetrations through the foundation wall were properly sealed and waterproofed. 

Offsetting water services

Offsetting around a footing

When ductile iron water services are required offsets can cause job delays. Ductile iron pipe is much more difficult to work with than copper tubing – Copper tubing can be bent to go around utility obstructions or under a footing for a building. Because Balkan stocks a full array of fittings for all applicable sizes and degree of bends the water line installations moved along seamlessly. Balkan has a 48,000 square foot facility containing virtually anything needed for a water or sewer service installation.

Balkan has an answer for every subsurface situation

Coney Island job site

No matter how large the project or how small the project, subsurface plumbing always presents challenges. With over 60 years of dedication to the trade the Balkan team always seems to have an answer for any situation or condition. Avoiding costly delays due to inexperience or being ill-equipped is always a prime consideration when you hire Balkan – Answers and solutions not excuses.

A little bit about Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY

Some personal memories - Coney Island as a kid in the 1960′s meant a brown bag full of  fresh cut, salty, greasy french fries from Nathan’s that tasted better than anything in the whole world, except their hot dogs – They were the best. The proper atmosphere while eating them was listening to people scream for their lives in the background as the  Cyclone roller-coaster dropped down at some crazy angle and at an equally crazy speed.  The family activity after the meal was skee-ball; a game very few people probably even remember. Those childhood memories are amongst the fondest from a day gone by.

courtesy wikipedia – Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill.

Coney Island is possibly best known as the site of amusement parks and a major resort that reached their peak during the first half of the 20th century. It declined in popularity after World War II and endured years of neglect. In recent years, the area has seen the opening of MCU Park and has become home to the minor league baseball team the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The neighborhood of the same name is a community of 60,000 people in the western part of the peninsula, with Sea Gate to its west, Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach to its east, and Gravesend to the north.

Some recent history

Minor League baseball in Coney Island

In 1994 Rudy Giuliani took office as mayor of New York, and supported a plan to build a sporting complex named Sportsplex, provided it include a stadium for a minor league baseball team owned by the New York Mets. Once the stadium was completed Giuliani reneged on the Sportsplex deal, and The Mets decided to call the minor league team the Brooklyn Cyclones and sold the naming rights to the stadium to Keyspan Energy. Executives from Keyspan complained that the stadium’s line of view from the rest of the Coney Island amusement area was blocked by the derelict Thunderbolt roller-coaster, and the following month Giuliani ordered an early-morning bulldozing of the Thunderbolt.

In 2003, Mayor Michael Bloomberg took an interest in revitalizing Coney Island as a possible site for the 2012 Olympics. When the city lost the bid for the Olympics, revitalization plans were rolled over to the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC), which came up with a plan to restore the resort. Shortly before the CIDC’s plans were released, a development company, Thor Equities, purchased all of Bullard’s western property, sold it to Taconic Investment Partners, and used much of the proceeds to purchase or offer to purchase every piece of property inside the traditional amusement area. In September 2005, Thor went public with a plans to build a large Bellagio-style hotel resort surrounded by rides and amusements. Plans of the hotel showed it covering the entire amusement area from the Aquarium to beyond MCU Park, and requiring the demolition of The Wonder Wheel, Cyclone, and Nathan’s original hot dog stand, as well as the new MCU Park.

Late in 2006 Thor purchased Coney Island’s last remaining amusement park, Astroland, and announced plans to close it after the 2007 season and build a Nickelodeon-themed hotel on the site. In January 2007 Thor released plans for a new amusement park to be built on the Astroland site called Coney Island Park.In late 2007 Thor began to evict businesses from the buildings it owned along the boardwalk, but when one of the business owners complained, Thor reinstated their leases.

In early 2007, the Municipal Art Society launched the initiative ImagineConey, as discussion of a rezoning plan that highly favored housing and hotels began circulating from the Department of City Planning. City Planning certified the rezoning plan in January 2009. As of 2010 the plan was going through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) process, with Thor Equities saying it hoped to complete the project by 2011. The Coney Island Aquarium was also planning a renovation from the mid-2000s. In June 2009, the city’s planning commission unanimously approved the construction of 4,500 units of housing and 900 affordable units, and vowed to “preserve, in perpetuity, the open amusement area rides that everyone knows and loves”, while protesters argued that the “20 percent affordable-housing component is unreasonably low.”

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

Upon excavating down to the city sewer it was determined that the previous repair had actually broke off and literally sunk right through the public sewer. It seems that when the sewer repair was originally done the plumber cut a hole into the top of the city sewer, shoved on some pipe, and connected back the house sewer line using improper fittings. Thinking it would make this crummy repair better, the plumber then encased the whole mess in concrete. Unfortunately the plumber did not encase the city sewer in concrete to support all the added weight. This type of connection is referred to a ‘riser connection’, but this one was not made properly or to code.

Defective work caused the city sewer to break

As years past the added weight of the repair encased in concrete and placed directly over the clay public  sewer pipe began to create stress and slowly settle. At some point the concrete encased connection settled right through the city sewer and actually caused problems for other houses on the block as well. To correct the problem and perform a correct repair of this Brooklyn house sewer Balkan had to actually remove three sections of the city sewer. Then three brand news sections of clay pipe had to be installed, one of which contained a new connection for the house that had the broken line. Finally the entire connection and new sections of the sewer were encased with ready-mix concrete to ensure that the repair would be long-lasting and to code. The DEP was called to the site to the site for an inspection and the job was signed-off – Something the previous plumber most certainly did not do.

Balkan finding the house sewer

New house sewer connection

Something about trust and integrity

Inspection completed - Job well done

For many homeowners and property owners hiring a contractor to perform plumbing work that gets buried is a matter of trust. Sometimes that trust can get betrayed and result in even more costly plumbing repairs down the road. There are basic things to ask a contractor for whenever work is required.

• Certificates of insurance.
• Plumbers License verification.
• Copies of all required permits.
• Certificates of inspection.
• Copies of sign-offs.

In addition taking a few minutes to check on-line reviews, ask for references, and how long the company has been in business continually under the same name are very good steps. You may think think this tedious and unnecessary, but it sure beats the heck out of having to pay for fix a collapsed city sewer caused by shoddy work.

What is a riser connection?

NYC DEP riser diagram

A riser connection is a vertical connection built on top of a public sewer typically meant for a house connection. Depending on the size of the public sewer different design standards are used in the construction of such a connection. It is usual for such a connection to be built when the depth of the public sewer is greater then 13′ or so, or if a groundwater condition exists.  In these two cases it is meant to alleviate the cost to  property owners of having to excavate to great depths or through groundwater in  order to connect properly to the main sewer line.

A riser is also required when the difference in elevation from the point where the house drain exits the building to the city sewer is greater than the pitch that is allowed to be used. As sewers work on the principal of gravity, pitching the pipe is used to so the waste water runs off properly – However only a maximum of 1′ of pitch is permitted for every 4′ of run of pipe. Therefore a riser must be built sometimes when  the difference in elevation is too great. Risers must always be one size greater than the size of the connection size from the building – Therefore in NYC where the minimum size of a sewer connection is 6″, the minimum size of a riser is 8″.

When a riser must be built they are carefully inspected by DEP field personnel and must conform exactly to approved plans. All risers must be encased with an approved ready-mix concrete to ensure a long-lasting installation. After the connection is signed off by the DEP the maintenance and ownership of it reverts back to the city. All such installations are built with a clean-out on the top as a means to clean out any possible future stoppages.

Although must sewers in NYC are approximately 11′ or 12′ deep and typical spur connections are used - There are sewers that are in excess of 25′ deep and they usually have carefully constructed riser connections on top of them.

The owners of Balkan feel that the more you know the more you will appreciate our company-wide commitment to integrity and service.

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

Lead Water Line

When a lead water line leaks some steps can usually be taken to put the situation under control. But it cannot be emphasized strongly enough that when lead starts to sprout leaks it must be replaced – That said here are some basic steps to control the leak that Balkan typically provides for free:

Lead line connected to the NYC water main

If the leak is a heavy leak and the water main is over the sewer pit: Usually the sewer trap can be opened to allow the water to run out through the sewer. It is important to open the trap lug that is closest to the inside of the house otherwise sewer gases can escape into the house. Another reason not to open the plug on the ‘street side’ of the house trap is so any debris or dirt that may run down the sewer will be caught inside the trap and not cause any blockage in the house drain.

If the leak is a slight leak and is visible inside the basement: If the defect is slight or a pinhole usually two things can be done. Because lead is malleable (not a hard metal) frequently the lead can be gently tapped to temporarily cover the pinhole leak.  This is strictly a temporary measure that may last anywhere from a few hours to a few months.

A second step that can done is to use a small automotive radiator repair clamp and a small piece of gasket material. Tightening the repair clamp with some rubber gasket material underneath it over a leaking water service line can be another very effective temporary repair. It also required less skill, experience, and chance of making the leak worse.

Some basic information about lead water mains

Lead is a bright and silvery metal, but after being exposed to air or the elements it will dull in color. It has a few characteristics that are different than other water main materials:

1. It is soft – Unlike ductile iron or brass which are hard metals. That means it can be easily punctured unlike brass or iron pipes.

2. It will have a circular ball of lead where it was soldered to the brass fitting for connecting to the house and the connection on the public main – It is referred to as a wiped joint.

3. It is malleable so it can be bent and moved into the desired position for installation. However as it ages moving a lead line creates many hairline cracks that will either leak immediately or in the very near future – Another reason to never repair lead.

4. It conducts electricity poorly, so it is not highly susceptible to damage from electrolysis – Which is stray electric current. On the contrary copper tubing is a very good conductor of electricity and can be severely damaged by stray electric current called electrolysis.

5. It is highly resistant to corrosion – Hence lead water service line usually last in excess of 50 years, many frequently much longer. There are still many such service lines still active in NYC, many of which are over 100 years old.

Lead has been as a material for water supply lines for thousands of years because it is abundant in supply, easily mined, and very easy to work with. It is highly malleable and very easy to melt, so it has had various other uses in plumbing such as for caulking water tight joints.

Interestingly the Latin word for lead is plumbum for soft metals – The English words plumbing, plumber, and plumb are derived form the original Latin term.

Are lead water mains still legal in NYC?

As of this writing the NYC DEP has not mandated the replacement of existing lead water service lines that are not leaking. However once any repair or work of any sort is required on a lead water main in NYC a full replacement is required by code.

This is the NYC DEP code from Chapter 20 regarding water supply lines:

NYC- DEP: SERVICE PIPE ISSUES
Permits to repair service pipes composed of lead or galvanized metal will no longer be issued. These service pipes must be replaced. Permits to repair more than one-half of any service pipe shall no longer be issued. These service pipes must be replaced in their entirety. (§20-3 (S))

It is short, definitive, and to the point – When a galvanized or lead service leaks you must replace it.  Anyone that fails to do so it putting themselves in a position of exposure from damage from a future water line leak, or more importantly from any health concern due to  tampering with lead and/0r leaving it in place. Common sense should dictate not to attempt to save some money that may result in a monetary exposure many times that amount in the future.

The DEP in New York City has become so concerned with lead in the drinking supply that they will not even issue a permit to reactivate a lead service that was closed from the tap connection on the public main. Another interesting point to note is that lead does not occur naturally in the NYC drinking water supply – it is not found in our reservoirs or streams, etc.  It is a product of the various plumbing that conveys our drinking water to us.

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

When Queens homeowners have a sewer or water problem Balkan provides free same day site visits and most work orders are commenced the very next day. All work is carefully coordinated in-house without any subcontracting. This keeps costs down, but raises the level of quality and service.

See what hundreds of NYC homeowners say each year

Balkan is the largest sewer and water main service company in NYC and is backed by the most dedicated and experienced staff and installers in the industry. Paul R. Balkan and David Balkan who are 2nd generation owners have over 60 years of combined experience in the industry. Working out of 48,000 square foot facility and having a fully stocked fleet of vehicles is your assurance of prompt and professional plumbing services.

See what actual customers had to say -

A happy Balkan customer

‘The guys handled the entire job with calm and confidence’

‘They beat another quote by $1400 (yes!)’

‘What drove me to hire Balkan was their commitment to customer satisfaction’

‘My son didn’t even notice that they had dug a hole in the grass. I definitely recommend Balkan Plumbing.’

‘ Every company said it has a license but only Joseph L. Balkan Inc. can show me the license.’

‘I have never seen teams of workers labor so ‘in-tune’ with one another.’

‘Congratulations on pleasing the ‘very hard to please’ – me. You guys are good!!!!!!!’

Rarely does a contractor have a full company-wide commitment to complete customer satisfaction – The Balkan Team urges you to check our reputation before making a hiring decision for house drain or water line repair work.

Excellence is no accident

Domestic Cast Iron Exclusively

• No sub-contracting.
• Free site visits.
• Free and no obligation estimates.
• Domestic extra heavy cast iron pipe used exclusively.
• Domestic K copper used exclusively.
• Fittings that meet or exceed code requirements.
• In-house cement crews.
• In-house paving crews.
• Licensed, bonded, and insured to the fullest Agency requirements.
• Calls responded to day and Night.
• Long term guarantees are standard.

Our commitment to integrity and service is acknowledged

Joseph L. Balkan Owners, Paul and David

The Balkan brothers are active in industry affairs and stay up-to-date on any and all changes in policies and NYC code requirements. This commitment to service, professionalism, and integrity has been acknowledged by various organizations and agencies – Not to mention our clients.

• NYC Licensed Master Plumber
• Registered with the Business Integrity Commission.
• Better Business Bureau Accredited and rated A+.
• Member and Vic President of the Subsurface Plumbers Association.
• Member and Subsurface Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council.
• Angies List Super Service Award Winner.

       Since 1952  Quality – Experience – Service

Read the full reviews which are also available on-line

“It’s a scary thing to come home and see water pouring out of the street in front of your home. After it was determined it was my pipe, I had to find a licensed water main and sewer plumber. I asked friends and others for recommendations, and heard Balkan Inc more than once. I received a call from Dave the owner before 6 am and he explained the whole process and allayed my fears. The crew showed up at 7:30 am and went to work. They were respectful of my property and took great pride in their work. The job was done and everything was clean by 3:00 in the afternoon. Using this particular sewer and water main company made the situation much less stressful. The price I was quoted was less then I expected. The work was outstanding. I highly recommend them to anyone who may have the need to use them.“

“The job was replacing a leaking lead water main The whole experience was very pleasant – I felt in good hands with Balkan from beginning to end. From the very responsive office staff, to my demands and concerns to the engineer who took the pain to check the DEP records before finalizing the contract, to the crew that was just amazingly clean, fast, courteous, diligent. The price was right but over all I was glad to have hired them when the job became more complicated than expected due to a car parked on critical spot, the depth of the dig, and a manhole to work around. The guys handled the entire job with calm and confidence; and none of it generated extra costs on the bill either. They beat another quote by $1400 (yes!) and delivered a way better customer service than other companies at the same price. So many contractors are just plain rude or barely competent that it makes home improvement a dreadful enterprise. They should take a cue from Balkan, the entire industry would benefit from it highly recommended.“

“I had a overall good experience with Balkan regarding a water main replacement. I would refer them to friends/family in the future. For my total experience please see below: I live in Queens, NY and I had 3-day notice regarding a broke/damaged water main to my house. Got the usual response by DEP that is my responsibility. Ok, great so I start calling around a few large contractors and got pretty much the same price. What drove me to hire them was their commitment to customer satisfaction and it definitely showed because we had a small problem with a damaged electrical conduit that they were able to repair. The guys came back the second day to do the concrete work and so far it looks pretty good. I am hoping that the concrete will last a long time.“

“I have to say that Barry, Mervin, Sal and Edwin from Balkan Plumbing did an excellent job removing and replacing the lead water main pipe from my home after I received a 3 day notice. They were professional and even put back the grass. They didn’t have to break any of my sidewalk cement – My son didn’t even notice that they had dug a hole in the grass. I definitely recommend Balkan Plumbing“

“I had called 311 and reported a cave-in on the street at front of my driveway. DEP came to inspect and I was told that because my sewer was broken it had caused the cave-in. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to repair the sewer and the street in this case. DEP also found my water main was leaking and I got 3 day notice. I called around and had 6 companies give estimates. Every company said it has a license but only Joseph L. Balkan Inc. can show me the license #. I went to NYC DOB website and found out that Balkan Inc does have the Master plumbing license and 3 insurance policies to cover everything that could go wrong while they are working. I also googled them and found the good reviews. Called the representative Frank at the third day after receiving 3 day notice. Next day morning 8 am the workers show on time and I signed the contract. They spend 3 days to replace my sewer and water main. They complete the job with as less damage as possible. For example, another company needs to dig 3 holes on my driveway to replace the water main, but Joseph L. Balkan Inc only dig 1 hole on my driveway and had the job done. DEP came first day to signoff the water main and 2nd day to sign-off the sewer. Other companies requested me to secure the nearby 4 parking spots on the street – It was headache that is the public street not my back yard. But Balkan takes care everything and leaves me hassle free. They have the right equipment and friendly professional workers. They did a great job and clean up everything after complete the job. Thanks Balkan.“

“The company was the best price we could find to remove our lead pipe from our house. They were in and out in one day and the men who dug and installed the new copper tube were professional and friendly. I would recommend this service to anyone wanting to replace their lead pipe water service line.“

“I had 3 other estimates to replace my sewer pipe which had been clogging every 4 months for 15 yrs ( the pipe was bent up – waiting this long to fix it is another story). Anyway, Balkan was the lowest cost by $300. They came on time, dug up & repair the pipe, restore the area like before they it dug up. These people are AMAZING & VERY PROFESSIONAL & FAST – (somehow they make you feel safe & comfy). What’s incredible is that they can start the job the next day you contract them. I recommend this company to anyone without reservation.“

“Great Job! My main sewer line kept on backing up due to tree roots invading the line. It got to the point where I needed it rotor rooter it out every 3 months. I had a camera inserted into the line and was told the terra cotta pipe had shifted and I would need to replace the whole line. Using the internet I came across Balkan’s web site. Being a family business for over 60 years and having a Better Business Bureau rating of “A+” indicated to me that they were the company for me. I called to make an appointment for a price and was surprised they could come the same day. Frank arrived at my house, inspected the situation and gave me a good price for the job. When I asked him when they could start (thinking at least a week), Frank said they could start in 2 days! Two days later when I came home from work, the crew already had half the job done. When I asked questions, all the men were friendly, responsive, and gave clear and direct answers. They assured me the job would be completed on time (Frank said 2 day to complete), and they would restore my lawn to the way it was before. At the end of the second day the crew lived up to their promise – the job was complete, the lawn was restored as before and they repaired my sprinkler system which had to be cut to get to the pipe. I can’t say enough about how well my experience with Balkan was! I would definitely recommend them to others without hesitation. Thank you Balkan for making a harrowing experience easy and problem free! “

“JOB 2 On May 23, 2011 my main water line broke I called Balkan to do the job. Vinny came to inspect, quote me a price and said the job could start tomorrow. I signed the contact and work began the next day. The men were courteous and professional. The job was done the same day! Another 5 star job completed!“

“SATISFIED WITH COMPANY FROM BEGINING TO END. THE ESTIMATE WAS THE BEST OF THE BUNCH AND DID NOT FEEL PRESSURED OR IN THE DARK. THE JOB WENT OFF WITHOUT A PROBLEM AND WAS HAPPY TO DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY. WORKERS WERE CAPABLE AND CLEANED UP AFTER THE JOB WAS COMPLETE. WOULD RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY GLADLY.“

“I have never seen teams of workers labor so ‘in-tune’ with one another. The first crew dug the holes, and replaced my sewer professionally. Next business day, another crew was in front fixing the sidewalk concrete back to prior condition (new), and a few hours after that, the next crew arrived and patched and repaved the street. Did I mention they put my grass back!!!! Great price and courteous people get a big THUMBS-UP!! Congratulations on pleasing the ‘very hard to please’ – me. You guys are good!!!!!!!“

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.

Help us find a snappy slogan for our Tee shirts

The Balkan Tee Shirt naming contest- Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service is making custom Tee shirts for our customers to be given to them as gifts. These shirts will be a sign of our gratitude to our valued clients – But we need a catchy saying for the back of the shirt. Maybe you can come up with a winner.

Some early entries:

• ‘My water main was done by Balkan Plumbing’
• ‘My sewer broke and all I got was this lousy shirt’
• ‘Joseph L Balkan, water mains are our main concern’

Think you can do better than that? Then send your catchy slogan to us with your contact information:  TEE SHIRT CONTEST. The winner of the T shirt naming contest will receive two (2) Tee shirts, $100.00 – And be allowed to work all day with a water main crew (only kidding). Judging will be done by a super secret panel of five carefully screened judges.

This a ‘for real’ contest and we are looking forward to some great slogans. These custom shirts will a way for the staff of Balkan Sewer And Water Main to show their appreciation to our valued customers – The winning slogan will be seen all over New York City.

About Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service

Joseph L. Balkan founded the company in 1952 on some simple principals – Stand by your word, provide a quality installation, and perform the work at fair and uniform prices. Some 60 years later Joe’s sons Paul and David continue to follow their Fathers principals. The property owners of NYC know that when they call  there will be a uniformity of service, dedication, and professionalism. In addition a uniform pricing policy guarantees the best possible price regardless of the degree of emergency or whether the work is located in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan or the Bronx. Balkan is your ‘one-stop-shop’ for sewer repair or a water main repair in NYC.

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

The Balkan team in action

Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service has been providing Brooklyn property owners with complete residential and commercial drain line services for over 60 years. Our trusted family name is recognized throughout the NYC metropolitan area. Our superior service includes the exclusive use of domestic extra heavy cast iron pipe for all repair and replacement work. In addition we will send an experienced Field Representative to your property for a free and no-obligation site visit and assessment of the problem.

Excavation is required to repair a house sewer when:

• 

  Pipe lining is not legal - Official Letter

  Pipe is back-pitched (preventing proper flow of waste water).

• Heavy root infiltration prevents proper cleaning by traditional means.
• Leaking pipe joints causing leaking waste water to undermine the pipe or enter the premises.
• Complete blockage due to a collapsed pipe.

Always remember that sewer lining is illegal in Brooklyn and all other NYC Boroughs

A Little Bit About Us

Because we operate out of a 48,000 square foot facility and have a full fleet of service trucks and backhoes – You will always be assured of prompt and reliable service. Remember that Balkan Plumbing is the largest sewer and water main company in NYC. We perform over 2,000 sub-surface plumbing installations annually. Our service is backed by the most experienced office staff in the NYC plumbing industry and an unconditional 10 year guarantee on complete replacements.

Why Our Brooklyn Sewer Service Is Unique

The homes and buildings of Brooklyn are comprised of many historical and land-marked properties. Unique situations routinely present themselves where the utmost  care must be taken. Restoring disturbed areas frequently requires great care, skill, and professionalism.

That is why Balkan employs skilled tradesmen able to move and restore various types of work areas. These work areas may include:

• Slate sidewalks.
• Cobblestone roadways.
• Wrought iron fences.
• Dyed sidewalk cement.
• Land-marked or historical areas.

When you hire us you will be assured that any and all disturbed surfaces will be restored to your satisfaction and to applicable local standards. Balkan employs skilled welders, concrete masons, and asphalt pavers. We will respect your property and treat it as if it was our own.  Your neighborhood is our neighborhood – The owners of the company and our staff are all NYC residents.

See What Some Of Our Specialty Work Looks Like

Excavating in a slate sidewalk

Restored slate sidewalk

Why Our Customer Service Experience Is Unique

Simply put – We are here for you. It is simple to say, but how many companies mean it? Throughout our company all employees know that the needs of the customer come first. Whether you are a NYC property owner in distress or if you have a planned subsurface installation - you will be treated with the same courtesy and care. In addition we stand by a uniform pricing policy – Even if you have a dire sewer or water main emergency you will receive the same price as if it was planned work.

See What Our Customers Have To Say

These are actual real reviews from real people - All of these reviews and others are available on-line. Frequently our customers say it better than we can.

“Replaced a broken building sewer. In the most frustrating of times, Balkan was highly professional, did excellent work, and helped me through the process. I would highly recommend them.”

“The Balkan family has a long tradition of professionalism. The are very efficient and reliable. Where others fail, Balkan stands behind their work. A pleasure to do do business with. All the Best to everyone at Balkan Plumbing.”

“The best price in town compared with 4 other companies. The “rooters” were nearly $2000 more. The best contract terms compared with 3 contracts I reviewed. The fastest speed. Start next day and finished within 2 half days of work. Cooperated well with Con Edison and New York City DEP inspectors – both arrived just on time. The workers are friendly and they followed the City inspectors orders quickly.”

When you need Brooklyn sewer or water main service call the company that your neighbors have trusted for over 60 years - Call Joseph L. Balkan Inc. at 718 849-0900.

Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570

 This article was written by David Balkan and is the sole property of Joseph L. Balkan Inc.