Plumbers in Garfield, NJ
What to know before hiring a plumber in Garfield, and a free, no-obligation way to get quotes from licensed pros.
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Plumbers in Garfield: what to know
Garfield runs its own water utility. The City of Garfield Water Department draws water from wells, disinfects it with chlorine and uses an air stripper to remove volatile organic compounds.
Lead and galvanized service lines
The city has posted a lead service line inventory report, database and map, with the report dated July 2024. Under New Jersey's 2021 lead service line law, a galvanized service line counts as a lead line. Water systems must replace all lead lines within 10 years of the law taking effect.
Garfield splits the job at the curb box. The city installs the line from the curb box to the main at no charge. First, though, the owner must replace the line from the house to the curb box. You may hire your own licensed plumber, and only type K copper or ductile iron pipe is allowed.
Age makes this a real question here. About 30% of Garfield housing units were built before 1940, and the median year built is 1954.
Sewer laterals and basement drains
Garfield's wastewater goes to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, which lists the city as a contracted municipality. If a property has no sewer lateral, city code makes the owner install one from the building to the main in the street. The same section requires a long radius bend and a cleanout where the outside building drain meets the connection.
Roof downspouts, foundation drains and areaway drains may not tie into the sanitary sewer without city approval, under § 265-12. Ask where a new sump pump will discharge before you agree to the plan.
Permits and inspections
Plumbing work must be done by a licensed plumber, except by a single-family homeowner working on their own home (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.15). Swapping a water heater for one of like capacity is minor work. You still need a permit, filed within five business days after notifying the city. The Garfield Building Department holds plumbing inspections on Monday and Wednesday, 10 AM to 1 PM.
Garfield permit office
Building, plumbing and electrical permits come from the City of Garfield construction office. Your contractor normally pulls the permit, but it's worth confirming.
- Office
- Building Department
- Phone
- 973-340-2000 ext. 4040
- Address
- 111 Outwater Lane, Garfield, NJ 07026
- Website
- garfieldnj.org
Plumbers in Garfield: common questions
Who pays to replace a lead or galvanized water line in Garfield?
Garfield installs the section from the curb box to the main at no charge. The owner must first replace the section from the house to the curb box, except in new construction, according to the Water Department. You can hire your own licensed plumber for that run, using type K copper or ductile iron pipe. The state law also lets a government-owned system spread replacement costs across customers or assess the owner. Ask the Water Department how this applies to your address.
Has Garfield fixed the PFAS problem in its drinking water?
Garfield's water exceeded state limits for PFOA and PFOS from 2021 into early 2023. A July 2024 city notice says six NJDEP-approved treatment vessels went into service on February 24, 2023. Compliance samples since March 2023 were non-detect for both chemicals. The notice says the system had no drinking water violations at that time. It links to state PFAS health information if you are weighing a home filter.
Will Garfield inspect my plumbing when I sell or rent out my house?
Garfield requires a certificate of continuing occupancy before a residential building is sold. It also applies to a new occupancy or change of use. The certificate follows a general inspection of the visible parts of the building. The inspector checks for imminent hazards and compliance with building, health, safety and fire codes. Ask the Building Department what the inspection covers before you list the property.
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