BK source for 1930s plumbing repair supplies

While I know of online sources for parts for repairing 1930s era bathroom fixtures I am specifically looking for something in Brooklyn or within the 5 Boroughs (ie accessible via public transit.) I need a reliable plumbing supply source for cartridges for tub and shower hardware. I have originals so I can get the sizing correct. I have had various recommendations over the years, but no luck. Any ideas?

decoart

in Plumbing 3 days ago

4

Please log in, in order to post replies!

4 replies

Newest Oldest

Brownstone Home Inspection | 3 days ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4859 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4906 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "191038"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(26) "Brownstone Home Inspection"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$2Dh.tVTWca7o8G2o2QDdSeR1sOPSrs2w3wRCKLoxX3NZi3rnCHU0S"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(26) "brownstone-home-inspection"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(29) "stevehomeinspection@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2021-01-20 15:12:39"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(26) "brownstone home inspection"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(191038)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [1]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

so i decided to read about cartridges (the history). it seems someone had developed one earlier in the 20th century and i think another came on during or after wwII and then at the end of the 1950s they really began to take off.

decoart | 3 days ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4858 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4857 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "199688"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "decoart"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$c/p7ScnlHqFJssnCoOJyTe.6.2CP0yPAd.xz3cMiwcEXaNL.zM5H."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "decoart"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "sdvnyc@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:32:56"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "decoart"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(199688)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks Steve, yes more properly a stem.

Most good hardware stores I have been to (and i have been to a lot) have referred me to plumbing supply places, which then didn’t have them. I have done some repairs, but want to have some extra parts on hand for me and the building.

I will try NY Replacement Parts and report back, thanks!

chrispetriplumbing | 3 days ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4850 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4860 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "203345"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(18) "chrispetriplumbing"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bq44ma5pMFYH.r62nbIUJlPFxfHwwp0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(22) "chrispetriplumbing-com"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "chris@petriplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2018-10-27 00:13:52"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(18) "chrispetriplumbing"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(203345)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

NYRP is your best bet

Brownstone Home Inspection | 3 days ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4859 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4861 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "191038"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(26) "Brownstone Home Inspection"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$2Dh.tVTWca7o8G2o2QDdSeR1sOPSrs2w3wRCKLoxX3NZi3rnCHU0S"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(26) "brownstone-home-inspection"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(29) "stevehomeinspection@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2021-01-20 15:12:39"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(26) "brownstone home inspection"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(191038)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [1]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

ok, so i used to maintain/manage a commercial building with a lot of 1950’s era stuff that was made in the same way as the 1930s stuff and i have dealt with 1930s stuff in my own home. I suspect cartridge is the wrong term for the period you are talking about. i would say a fixture/valve has a “body”, “stem”, and “seat” with a washer or gasket on the end of the stem and a nut on the stem with packing material.

there are tools for resurfacing the seats or removing them. and the gaskets are common hardware store items. Believe it or not, i suspect i have a complete set of seats and washers here and the tools for this stuff.

When I worked in a building, i used Creed which i think became Plumbmaster. we ordered from them. I liked them because like you (might be), i was not always certain about the parts i needed so we had a sales rep and since we ordered a lot of stuff, that rep came to us. I bet if you called Creed/Plumbmaster, they might tell you if they have a rep in the 5 boros and maybe that rep will allow you to visit them (they do work out of their homes).

there is also NY Replacement Parts. I think that is what they are called. I last got something from them over twenty years ago but (i just goggled) and they are still on Lexington Ave in the ’90s.

Most plumbing supply shops and really good old hardware stores (the real good ones in like lower manhattan in areas where there are a lot of big old apt buildings) should carry stuff for american standard which to me seemed to be everywhere at one time. the washers are mostly interchangeable i think. not sure if seats are brand specific which is why when i needed some, i bought an entire set.

a dripping faucet usually means the washer and/or seat is bad.

if you wish to email me and send photos of what you are looking for (the fixture and the part), i might be able to take a look at them and identify them and even help with the part. Years ago, we did not have the internet but we maintained catalogs. Now with the net, this is easy.

Steve
brownstonehomeinspection.com