2014 Fourth of July Events on Long Island

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Once 4th of July hits, the summer always seems to fly by. Enjoy it while you can! This will be easy with all of the events happening this year.

We've compiled a list of some of our favorite. Plan ahead and enjoy your Independence Day with family and friends: 

Cheer on the Long Island Ducks, followed by a fireworks extravaganza!

Friday, July 4th: 7:05pm

Bethpage Ballpark

Price of tickets vary. 

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in NYC - can be viewed from lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn for the first time in years. You don't want to miss it!

Friday, July 4th: 9:00pm - 9:25pm

Along the Hudson River (Best viewing locations)

Free event.

Stars Over Montauk - if you're not from out east, take the drive! Why not? You have the whole weekend.

Friday July 4th: 9:00pm - 9:45pm

Best viewed from any town beach.

Free event.

Annual 4th of July Parade - sponsored by the Port Jefferson Fire Department.

Friday, July 4th: 10:00 am - 11:00am

Main Street, Port Jefferson

Free event. 

Bellmore Striders Independence Day 4 Mile Run - features a 4-mile run and a 1-mile youth run (ages 12 and under)

Friday, July 4th: 8:30am

Streets of Bellmore

$0 - $20 based on age.

Let us know if you are celebrating with any of these events or others on our Facebook page. As always, stay safe and enjoy! 

5 Common Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

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Looking to add value to your home? Especially if your looking to sell your home in the near future, making the right, and most cost-efficient, upgrades is ideal.

There are many ways you can add value to your home. To make it simple, we've compiled a list of the 5 most common:

Let there be light! Dark homes are harder to sell, so if you know the structure of your home inhibits natural light, consider starting here. Since open rooms allow for better flow of natural light, try knocking down some walls, as well as adding in high ceilings.

Perform basic maintenance. A beautiful home means little if it doesn't function properly. Fixing all plumbing, heating and similar issues is crucial before anything else. Houses that sell quickly do so because little has to be done by the new homeowners to make it livable.

The outside matters. Including the front door! People want to feel like they are walking in to a home they could love, from the minute they see it. A simple paint job to the outside can make a home look fresh and new. Also, keep the backyard in mind. More and more homeowners are concerned with outdoor living space. Putting in a deck is an upgrade people can enjoy and it'll make a big difference in your backyards usability.

Paint the inside. The outside is never the only part of a home that can use fresh color. Painting the inside is one of the most affordable home enhancements you can do. Some argue neutral colors are the way to go because it avoids the distraction of your own style on potential homeowners. However, some say color is on the rise. In this case, do what you think is best for your situation.

Upgrade you kitchen and/or bathroom. This can range from basic upgrades to an overhaul. It depends on how much time and money you are willing to invest, as well as how much love these rooms really need. In both cases, ample storage space is a must. Adding features, like heated floors in the bathroom or extra burners in the kitchen is another easy way to make a quick difference in your home value.

For assistance in adding value to your home, call us at NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter.

Why Your Faucet Water Looks Dirty

You head over to your kitchen sink to pour yourself a nice cold glass of clear water. To your surprise, the water is a slightly brown color, or maybe even just cloudy. Why is that?

Don't worry. Neither scenario is particularly dangerous to your health. However, you do have to give it a little time before you can pour yourself another cup. Here are the details:

Your faucet water is brown or rusty in color: This is likely due to materials which have been stirred up due to changes in your water's delivery system. If a nearby water main breaks or maintenance work is or has recently been performed, water traveling through will pick up some iron causing the color to change or look dirty. Any disturbance to pipes will cause similar issues.

Although there is no health risk, avoid drinking the water while it is like this. In the meantime, continue to run cold water through your faucet until it clears up. If it does not clear up after a half hour or so, call your plumber for assistance.

Your faucet water is cloudy or milky: This does not indicate dirty water at all. Instead, it is the reaction of trapped air bubbles being released when your faucet is opened. This cloudy or milky appearance generally only lasts for a few minutes. If you leave your glass to sit, the air bubbles will eventually rise allowing the water to clear. Specifically in colder months, pipes will fill up with more oxygen.

Again, this water is not harmful. However, if water does not begin to clear after standing, call a plumber.

For any other issues with your faucet or plumbing fixtures, call us at 718-514-7145. We have been New York's reliable plumber for over 50 years. 

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Contemporary Bathroom Design Tips

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As you might have already known, contemporary and/or modern bathrooms are currently in-style. As the latest trend in bathroom design, we want to give you an outline on what makes a contemporary bathroom contemporary. This way, you can go right ahead designing the stylish and efficient bathroom you've been hoping for. First and foremost:

Simplicity

• Contemporary bathrooms contain clean lines and geometric shapes entirely. Therefore, when shopping for bathroom accessories, keep this in mind. For example, purchase a rectangular or square lamp shade. 
• Colors in a contemporary bathroom are no different. Keep it simple with neutral colors (black, grey, tan, white, etc.) 

Contemporary design is all about a pleasing design that perfectly combines form and function. Therefore pick materials that are:

Sleek and High Quality

• Stainless steal has a sharp, appealing look. It is also easy to clean and maintain. Wood, glass and ceramic are other great materials to consider.

A contemporary bathroom design is particularly useful for homeowners who only have a small space to work with. Here's why:

No Clutter
Contemporary design requires a practical use of space. Everything should have an exact place and be neatly stored away. According to HGTV.com, "One element of modern bathroom design that can be a great complement to a small space is a raised or pedestal sink, often in angular, rounded or gently curving stainless steel or porcelain. This efficient fixture choice can make a style statement while doing double-duty as a space saver, as it doesn't require the sink to be set in a larger cabinet, allowing for an elegant and airy effect."

Do you think a contemporary design is right for your bathroom? NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter can install your new plumbing fixtures today. 

Read more at property24.com.

5 Summer Plumbing Tips!

It's easy to want to jump right in to enjoying your summer. However, to keep yourself sane in the long run, take the time to address some plumbing concerns around your house at the start of the summer. These 5 tips below will allow you to rest easy all summer long, or even save you some money!

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1. Think of your washing machine - The kids are home and clothes just get dirtier. Your bound to be doing more laundry than you're used to doing all year long. Check the hoses behind your washer for damage and fix anything that looks like it may need fixing. Having to deal with a leak or burst half way through the summer is never fun. Also, no matter how tempting, avoid overloading your washer. Doing so could lead to problems that will put your washing machine out of commission when you need it most.

2. Keep your water heater temperature low - Turn it down, especially when you go on vacation. In the summer, you don't need your water heater higher than 120 degrees, even when your home!

3. Swimming pool maintenance - Check for leaks in the equipment and tears in the liner when you first open your pool. If found, call a professional at the beginning of the summer to avoid surprises during family barbecues or your favorite summer holidays. Plus, ensuring your pool works properly saves water.

4. Replace shower heads - Just like we do more laundry in the summer, we tend to take more showers too! Consider replacing old shower heads to save water. Water-efficient shower heads can easily be installed, which will also save you money. Also, since so much more water is used in the summertime, check for leaks in general around your home.

5. Be nice to your garbage disposal -  Are there a lot of left over celery sticks on that veggie platter you put out back for your guests? Keep them out of the garbage disposal! Either pack it in the fridge or toss it in the garbage. While big backyard parties lead to hectic cleanups, save yourself a headache and continue to dispose of things the right way.

For emergency plumbing problems all summer long, call us at 877-713-8136.

Great Gifts for the Handyman this Fathers Day

Looking for a unique gift for dad this year? As loyal plumbers, we love gifts that help us celebrate our hard work. If you have a man in your life that would love the same, check out some of the gift ideas below. We've compiled a list of gifts we think are perfect for any handyman below:

Working Man's Hygiene Kit ($50) from Uncommon Goods

Handy Dad, a book of 25 awesome projects for dads and kids ($15) from Uncommon Goods

Worst-Case Scenario: Man Skills, a survival book for dad, such as those plumbing emergencies! ($16.25) from Walmart

Glass Water Faucet ($50) from Uncommon Goods

Handy Dad's Fix-it Shop Father's Day Tshirt ($29.95) from Zazzle

Like any of these ideas? Let us know what gift you pick on our Facebook page. For plumbing emergencies even dad can't fix this Father's Day, call NY Plumbing & Sewer Rooter. 

A Checklist to Avoid Plumbing Nightmares

No homeowner likes plumbing disasters or surprises. Although NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is available for emergency service whenever you need, following the checklist below, especially if you have an older home, will help keep your headaches to a minimum (Property24):

Inspect your geyser regularly for any signs of leakage. Replace geysers that are old and warn to prevent it from bursting. Geysers that burst will cause damage to your home. When replacing, consider an energy efficient model that will even save you money on your electricity bill!

Check for mold or dampness. Mold or dampness in bathroom or kitchen walls is a sign of leaky pipes. If found, repair quickly!

Check the base of your toilet. Dark stains around the base of your toilet are a sign of mold. As in the previous step, you may have a crack or leak that needs quick repairing.

Look out for calcium deposits. If your tap trickles or your toilet refills slowly, you may have calcium deposits in your pipe. Since this can affect your water pressure, contact a plumber. They can help you clear or replace the pipes.

Let us know how this checklist helps you on our Facebook page. 

Common Ways People Ruin Their Plumbing

Are you guilty of any of the common plumbing mistakes people make below? If so, you definitely are not alone. However, consider making small changes to protect your plumbing! 

Leaving hoses connected in the cold. While leaving hoses connected during the summer is okay, if it gets cold and those hoses are still connected you have a problem. Outdoor faucets will freeze if the hose is still connected. The pipes leading up to hose will be damaged if this is the case. 

Pouring too much drain cleaner down a slow drain. Drain cleaner bottles usually list a recommended amount that should be poured down the drain. This is important to identify because if you use too much, pipes can become corroded or a clog can be made even worse. Since these are major issues that should be avoided, try contacting a plumber regarding usage or other drain cleaning options if your don't see them on the bottle.

Pouring other unwanted items down your drain. Various chemicals and fats, specifically grease from bacon and oils from various foods, are not meant to be handled by your drain. Take the time to dispose of these products properly, in the garbage. While it is not always the most convenient, it will certainly save you larger inconveniences in the long run. 

Using the toilet as a trash can. Whether or not your toilet seems strong, it is not smart to test it. The pipes are not designed for large items meant for the garbage, especially not on a regular basis. Avoid this at all costs to avoid damage to your pipes and constant clogging. 

Let us know if your guilty of any of these mistakes on our Facebook page. Call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to deal with any plumbing issues that have already arose. 

Read more at newswire.com.