Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about pricing, scheduling, emergencies, and the work we do. Can't find what you need? Reach out directlyor call — we'd rather answer a question than have you guess.
How long have you been in business?
My Plumber Expert has been serving the area since 2007.
Is My Plumber Expert insured?
Yes, we carry insurance coverage.
Do you work with homeowners, or also businesses?
Both. We work with homeowners as well as commercial customers — property managers, landlords, apartment buildings, restaurants, churches, office buildings, retail spaces, HOAs, and real estate investors.
What makes My Plumber Expert different?
We diagnose the actual problem before recommending a repair instead of guessing, communicate clearly at every step, price straightforwardly, and document our findings instead of relying on a verbal summary. We're owner-operated, which means the person making decisions about your job has a direct stake in getting it right.
Is My Plumber Expert a big company, or owner-operated?
We're owner-operated. This isn't a franchise running scripts through a call center — the person diagnosing and standing behind your job has direct experience and accountability.
Do you offer free estimates?
No. Diagnosing a plumbing or heating problem correctly takes a technician's time and expertise, and we charge a straightforward flat fee for that visit. You're paying for an accurate diagnosis, not a guess. If you decide to move forward with the repair, that diagnostic fee is credited toward the cost of the job.
How much does a diagnostic visit cost?
The diagnostic visit is a flat fee, and it's credited toward the repair if you decide to move forward with the work. We'll confirm the exact fee when we schedule your appointment, and you'll always get a clear price for the repair itself before any work starts.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. For larger jobs like a full boiler or water heater replacement, we offer financing through Synchrony/GreenSky so you can spread the cost over time instead of paying it all upfront. Ask about financing when we provide your repair or replacement quote.
Do you require a deposit for bigger jobs?
For larger installation and replacement jobs, we require a 50% deposit before work begins, with the remaining balance due on completion. Smaller repairs are billed in full when the work is finished.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept standard payment methods including card and digital payment, and invoices can also be paid online through our secure payment portal.
Do you warranty your work?
Yes. New installations carry a 1-year labor warranty, in addition to manufacturer parts warranties. Repairs are covered by a 6-month parts-and-labor warranty. If something we installed or repaired fails within that window due to our workmanship, we'll make it right.
How do appointment windows work?
We schedule non-emergency visits in 2-hour windows so you're not stuck waiting around all day. You'll get a specific window when we confirm your appointment, and we'll reach out if timing shifts.
Do you offer emergency service?
Yes — we offer 24/7 emergency service for situations that can't wait: no heat in cold weather, an active leak, a gas smell, or a failed water heater. We respond to emergencies same-day, typically within a few hours of your call. For an active emergency, call us directly rather than submitting the online form.
What are your regular business hours?
Mon–Thu: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and Fri: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. 24/7 Emergency Service Available for anything that can't wait until regular hours.
What's the best way to reach you?
Call or WhatsApp us directly at (347) 422-7807 for anything urgent or if you'd rather talk it through. For routine scheduling, you can also submit a request through our online form and our scheduling team will follow up to confirm your appointment window.
What areas do you service?
Staten Island is our home base and deepest coverage area. We also regularly serve Brooklyn, the other NYC boroughs, and nearby New Jersey communities within about a 45-minute drive of Staten Island, including Bayonne, Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, Carteret, Woodbridge Township, Perth Amboy, and South Amboy.
Do you serve my specific neighborhood or town?
If you're anywhere in Staten Island, Brooklyn, the other NYC boroughs, or one of the New Jersey towns within about 45 minutes of Staten Island (Bayonne, Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, Carteret, Woodbridge Township, Perth Amboy, South Amboy, and similar), we almost certainly cover it. Submit a service request with your address and we'll confirm right away.
What plumbing services do you offer?
General plumbing repairs and leak detection, water line repairs, fixture installation and repair (faucets, toilets, shower valves), kitchen and bathroom plumbing, garbage disposals, sump pumps, water pressure issues, mixing valves, pressure reducing valves, expansion tanks, backflow preventers, and water filtration including whole-house filters.
Do you install and repair fixtures like faucets and toilets?
Yes — faucet repair and replacement, toilet repair and replacement, shower valves, and general kitchen and bathroom fixture work.
Can you help with low water pressure?
Yes. Low pressure can come from several places — a failing pressure reducing valve, a mixing valve issue, a supply line restriction, or a problem at the fixture itself — and we diagnose which one it actually is before recommending a fix.
Do you install water filtration systems?
Yes, including whole-house water filtration systems.
Do you install or repair sump pumps?
Yes, sump pump installation and repair is one of our regular plumbing services.
What is a backflow preventer, and do you install them?
A backflow preventer stops water from flowing backward into your clean water supply, protecting it from contamination. Yes, we install and service them.
Do you offer leak detection?
Yes. A leak you can see is often not where the actual problem is, so we trace plumbing leaks back to their real source rather than just patching the visible symptom.
Do you install new water heaters, or just repair them?
Both. We install and repair tank, tankless, storage, commercial, and indirect water heaters, and we'll help you figure out which type makes sense for your property.
Tank or tankless — which is better?
It depends on your household's hot water demand, available space, and budget. Tankless units cost more upfront but take up less space and can provide continuous hot water; tank units cost less upfront and are simpler to service. We'll walk through the tradeoffs for your specific situation rather than push one option.
Do you service commercial and indirect water heaters?
Yes, in addition to standard residential tank and tankless units.
Do you replace anode rods and flush water heaters?
Yes — anode rod replacement and tank flushing are part of our standard water heater maintenance and repair work.
How do I know if I need a repair or a full replacement?
A few signs point toward replacement rather than repair: the unit is over 10–12 years old, the tank itself is leaking (rather than a fitting or valve), efficiency has clearly dropped, or repair costs are climbing. We'll give you an honest read on which situation you're in.
Do you work on all water heater brands?
We service and repair most major water heater manufacturers, including A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Rheem, Rinnai, Navien, NTI, and many more.
What types of heating systems do you work on?
We work on boilers, hydronic (hot water) heating systems, steam heating systems, and radiant heating — diagnostics, repairs, and full replacements, residential and commercial.
What's the difference between steam and hot water (hydronic) boilers?
Steam boilers heat water to produce steam that travels through pipes to radiators, relying on pressure, pitch, and venting. Hot water (hydronic) systems circulate heated water through pipes using circulator pumps, typically to radiators or baseboard. They fail differently and need different diagnostic approaches, which is why it matters that whoever's working on yours actually understands which type you have.
Do you work on condensing boilers?
Yes, including modern high-efficiency condensing boiler systems.
What causes a boiler to make banging or kettling noises?
Usually mineral buildup on the heat exchanger, trapped air, or water circulation problems. The noise is a symptom — we diagnose the actual cause rather than just quieting it temporarily.
How often should a boiler be serviced?
We recommend an annual tune-up before heating season — combustion analysis, control testing, and a visual inspection catch small issues while they're still small. See our Boiler Services page for details.
Do you work on circulator pumps, zone valves, and air elimination?
Yes — these are core hydronic heating components we diagnose and repair regularly.
Do you work on all boiler brands?
We service and repair most major boiler manufacturers, including Weil-McLain, Laars, Burnham, Crown Boiler, Peerless, Slant/Fin, Utica Boilers, Triangle Tube, Bosch, Buderus, Lochinvar, Smith Cast Iron Boilers, Raypak, Taco, Bell & Gossett, and many more.
What gas piping services do you offer?
Gas line installation, gas leak repairs, gas piping modifications, appliance gas connections (boilers, water heaters, dryers, stoves), meter piping, pressure testing, and permit work.
Do you pull permits for gas work?
Yes, permit work is part of our gas piping service where required.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Leave the area, don't operate light switches or open flames, and contact your gas utility or 911 if you believe there's an active hazard. Once it's safe, call us to diagnose and repair the source.
Do you connect gas lines for new appliances?
Yes — new boiler, water heater, dryer, or stove connections, along with pressure testing to confirm everything is sound.
Do you work with commercial properties?
Yes — apartment buildings, restaurants, churches, office buildings, and retail spaces, in addition to residential customers.
Do you service boiler rooms and mechanical rooms?
Yes, including troubleshooting and repair work in commercial boiler and mechanical rooms.
Do you offer preventive maintenance for commercial properties?
Yes, we work with property managers and building owners on preventive maintenance schedules tailored to the property.
Do you work with property managers and HOAs?
Yes. We're used to working with property managers, landlords, and HOAs, including documented findings that can be shared with boards or ownership.
Do you offer a maintenance program?
Yes. We offer maintenance programs for annual boiler and water heater service, so small issues get caught before they turn into no-heat or no-hot-water emergencies.
What's included in an annual maintenance visit?
A boiler tune-up (combustion check, control testing, pressure and safety-relief check), water heater service (sediment flush, anode/element check where applicable), and a documented report of the system's condition with any honest recommendations.
Do you offer maintenance plans for commercial properties?
Yes, we work with commercial property owners and managers on ongoing preventive maintenance for boiler rooms and mechanical systems.
Still have a question?
Call us and ask — a straight answer costs nothing.