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Gas Shut Off

rosaliedipietro2
rosaliedipietro2 Member Posts: 23
in Gas Heating

National Grid,, NYC gas supplier, requested a follow up gas line inspection recently. Yesterday, at 4:30 pm, they came on site, and while conducting the follow up, they detected a leak and immediately shut down all gas to the building. Resulting in no heat, no hot water, and no cooking gas for 4 tenants


in 2023, there were two mandatory inspections of the lines. The first was to comply for inspection by a third party firm contracted by National Grid for all gas properties. The second for 3+ families required certification by a Mastet Plumber , a $600 fee, and filing with the DOB. The building passed both inspections

I had a Master Plumber onsite today at 9:30 am, less than 24 hours later, with an emergency permit, who had all the gas piping replaced by 4 pm


upon calling National Grid to set an appointment to restore gas, they told me the next available is 2/21…a week and half from now


I feel terrible and am trying everything in my power to get a sooner date including contacting my local city council person for help


I’ve kept tenants updated accordingly. What is my obligation at this point since this was not negligence my part?


help!!!!

Comments

  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,664
    edited February 13

    I'm a New York landlord, but I'm not an attorney. An attorney can answer your question. I can give you some landlord and some professional engineer answers.

    If you are using a standard lease, it usually has statements to relieve you from economic responsibility in a case like this. Unfortunately a judge may not see that as "reasonable". Months from now he may say, "Your plumbing, your problem," and deem you responsible for alternate living arrangements for your tenants.

    And you'll certainly be fined by the DOB for no heat every day your tenants complain to DOB.

    Why are you dealing with the Utility? Why isn't you plumber making the arrangements with NationalGrid for the reinspection?

    Most plumbers have relationships with the Utility that can help in situations like this. But sometimes that doesn't work. There are several other issues here too. Maybe you have the wrong plumber. Or maybe there are other circumstances you are failing to mention here?

    Why did the Utility request a follow up inspection?

    Wouldn't it have been prudent to have a licensed professional check your gas lines immediately prior to permitting access to the Utility?

    Was your plumber there for the inspection? Why the heck not?? Is he certified for gas work?

    You may consider calling one of the NYC plumbers listed on this site and see how they might help.

    Gas inspections are serious business since two buildings piped with garden hoses blew off a Harlem street killing eight souls ten years ago and an East Village apartment stealing gas killed two other folks.

    Moving on, push forward with political pressure. Have your tenants call the City Council every day.

    And plan on selling that rental in New York City, and look at buying elsewhere. This is one more reason that most smaller smart landlords already have.

    Mad Dog_2
  • rosaliedipietro2
    rosaliedipietro2 Member Posts: 23

    The re-inspection/follow up was to check a section of pipe cited as showing minimial signs of corrosion. Both the third part contractor, Precision Pipeline, as well as the Master Plumber said to spray paint it to impede further corrosion. However, they inspected all the gas pipes again with their "magic" wand and discovered the leak….I could barely smell it. It must have just started as I've been in that basement several times in the past three weeks and I'm so sensitive to the smell of natural gas. Just a bad stroke of luck? Had I known about that leak, I would have definitely called my plumber first. And yes, he's a Master Plumber who's very experienced with gas.

    Definitely considering selling/1031 this property. It's becoming so difficult to be a landlord in NYC. This is my dad's property which he's owned for over 40 years.

    Mad Dog_2
  • rosaliedipietro2
    rosaliedipietro2 Member Posts: 23

    Additionally, I called my plumber on Tuesday at 5 and he was there on Wednesday at 9 am with his emergency permit. The job was complete by 4 pm. It's National Grid who's now giving me week and half wait time to resotre gas service to the building. I had this problem fixed in less than 24 hours.

    Mad Dog_2
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,664
    edited February 13

    Someone with a license told you to "spray paint a corroded pipe…" ?

    Dad would tell you it's time.

    delcrossvMad Dog_2
  • rosaliedipietro2
    rosaliedipietro2 Member Posts: 23

    It wasn't corroded.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,281

    Get everyone in the building to get on the phone and call constantly. Mayor, city council everyone.

    Is National grid going to be responsible for frozen pipes?

    Get a lawyer and have him call the utility

    Larry WeingartenMad Dog_2
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,742
    edited February 13

    The part about spray painting a corroded gas pipe seems sketchy! Shutting the gas down in the winter says there was an ISSUE that needed immediate attention.

    Good luck going after Nat Grid!

    Mad Dog_2
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 25,668

    Why do I think there's more to this story?

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    DCContrarianLong Beach Ed
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,742
    edited February 13

    Nat Grid will NOT shut off the gas in the winter for minor violations.

    They may in the mild weather.

    Long Beach Ed
  • rosaliedipietro2
    rosaliedipietro2 Member Posts: 23

    The pipe they returned to follow up is not the one that was leaking It was the header that was leaking….on the opposite side of where the minimally corroded pipe was note.

    So the two are independent!

  • rosaliedipietro2
    rosaliedipietro2 Member Posts: 23

    Good news! After numerous phone calls to National Grid, my local NYC Council Woman, and filing a complaint against National Grid on the New York State Department of Public Service website

    www.dps.ny.gov I was notified this morning that National Grid has re-scheduled the restoration of gas for 2/14/25. Would have preferred today, but I'll certainly take 2/14 over 2/21 for sure!!!

    I notified all the tenants, and hopefully, the building will have heat, hot water, and cooking gas by early 2/14.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 11,860

    Reporting to the public service commission is essentially how you need to get the utility in michigan to respond too.

  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,664

    Make darn sure there are no leaks before they get there.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,742
    edited February 13
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1842378#Comment_1842378

    that’s the issue!


    They inspect everything, if there is a major code violation, turn itoff until it’s corrected.

  • rosaliedipietro2
    rosaliedipietro2 Member Posts: 23

    Even better news…..National Grid showed up unannounced TODAY!!!! Within 30 minutes the gas was restored, the boiler and water heater turned on/checked and all stoves checked.

    Looks like the complaint to the NY State Department of Public Service prioritized the gas restoration!!! I'm relieved and so happy that the tenants have heat, hot water, and cooking gas. Got the job done in less than 48 hours!!!!

    bburdPeteArick in Alaska
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,742

    I highly doubt it!

    If it didn’t pass inspection they would have turned it back on!

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