3 Reasons for a Slow Flushing Toilet

It can be extremely frustrating to have any sort of plumbing out of order in your home. Whether it's as simple as a slow flushing toilet or as disastrous as one that overflows, we're unable to complete a lot of regularly daily tasks we never even think twice about.

While a slow flushing toilet might seem like nothing more than a slightly strange inconvenience, it could be the start to a more major plumbing problem. Here's a few good reasons it could be happening:

An obstruction in your sewer line. To find out if your sewer is the problem, run water from a pipe that is higher than the toilet. A sink in the same bathroom or on the floor above would be a good idea. If the toilet shakes, or the water rises or bubbles, your sewer is probably to blame. Problems with your sewer typically require a professional.

A faulty flush valve. If the water level is also lower than usual, your flush valve could be causing the slow flush. For a simple fix, first check the toilet tank to see if the flapper is warped. Even if it's just more than 5 years old, it may be beneficial to replace this part.

Dirty jets. Calcium build up at the rim of the bowl can inhibit water from freely flowing through the toilet. You can easily give your jets a deep clean with a homemade cleaner made up of baking soda and vinegar. If you're not sure how to do this, give the professionals at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter a call.

Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is available 24/7 for plumbing needs in the bathroom and around the house. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

Super Bowl Sunday: Emergency Plumbing Services

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner and there's no denying you will be tuning into America's most popular game. Between the wings, craft beer and tension over your Super Bowl Squares, there will certainly be no time for a plumbing mishap.

Not to worry! NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is available 24/7 for emergency services and Super Bowl Sunday will not be an exception. While you're rooting for your favorite team or anxiously waiting to see if your bet wins, we can get rooting your clogged pipes and drains or handle any other unexpected plumbing services you might need.

Still trying to plan your Super Bowl Sunday? Check out a complete list of New York Events here »

Have our emergency number on hand, 877.713.8136, or visit our website for a complete list of services we provide. 

Bang Out Your Bathroom Cleaning Routine

How do you like your bathroom cleaning routine? Short and sweet, you say? Though it might never be sweet you can definitely make it speedy and relatively painless with this 15-minute cleaning guide:

Round up your tools. Sure - if you keep the paper towels on the kitchen counter, your scrubbers under the sink and a spray bottle in the cabinet down the hall we can see how cleaning the bathroom can become exhausting. Keep a stash of all your bathroom cleaning essentials in one place, even if it means you have duplicate products within your household.

Get wiping. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar and add 10-12 drops of your favorite essential oil. This multipurpose spray can be used to wipe down most surfaces in the bathroom and will keep it smelling the way you like it, too.

Keep the tub in tact. Pour some of that vinegar spray you created down the drain along side baking soda. This solution will fizz and help to dissolve built up residue, keeping your drains clear and smelling fresh.

Get organized. We promise - new issues of cosmopolitan are on their way. You can spare to recycle last year's May and make more room for necessities under the sink. Old makeups and expired medicines might be worth a toss, as well.

Finally, the floors. Have any old socks you haven't worn in years? We know you do! Get them on, water them up, and get mopping. Cleaning with your feet is quick and easy and you can finally toss them when you're done.

New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is available 24/7 for plumbing needs in the bathroom and around the house. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

Energy-Efficient Fixtures for Your Home

Whether it be for financial reasons or just to reduce your personal carbon footprint, there are plenty of fixtures out there that can help make your home an Eco-friendly one.

Make the upgrades today or pin it for later! Either way, turn to these few great ones below:

Energy-Efficient Lighting Fixtures: Unscrewing an old-fashioned light bulb can take just seconds and make a huge difference in energy required. Replace them with compact fluorescent or light-emitting diode light bulbs instead.

Insulated Windows & Doors: If cool air or heat is constantly escaping your home, you're certainly paying for more than truly required. Upgrade to windows and doors approved by the Energy Star program as a way to significantly reduce air leakage and energy loss.

Low-Flow Toilets: You don't need to sacrifice color and style for a toilet that conserves water. Manufactures are making low-flow models in the same decorative elements you loved before.

New Air Conditioners and Furnaces: An outdated or overworked HVAC system is likely cranking up your energy bill. Have a technician replace it with a new one that abides by the federal government regulations put in place to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.

Replace Bathroom Showerheads: Upgrading your showerhead to water-efficient technology, like the ones with a WaterSense label, can decrease your water use greatly. Especially since a great deal of our overall water use comes from shower time, this is a simple way to see big savings.

Which energy efficient upgrades will you install? Let us know on our Facebook page!

New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter can install new plumbing fixtures and replace outdated furnaces. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

National Bath Safety Month: Preventing Dangers

January is National Bath Safety Month and a perfect time to share a few ways you can prevent danger in and around your bathtub. From small children to seniors - staying safe from potential hazards in the bathroom starts with smart choices and small safety implementations.

Get started with these few tips today:

1. Use slip resistant bath mats only. Throw rugs might look nice but can also cause one to slip and fall. Non-slip backed bath mats help to ensure your family's stability in the bathroom.

2. Keep the bathroom floor dry. We're all guilty of flooding the bathroom floor each time we shower. The danger here, however, is when someone else walks in for a different purpose they might not be expecting a slippery floor. Always wipe floors dry each time you bathe, use the sink, etc.

3. Incorporate grab bars or rails. Installing something you can hold onto in the bathroom could be helpful for people of all ages. They can help you catch your bathroom if you skip a step in the shower.

4. Keep your bathroom well lit. Sharp edges and hard objects can cause unnecessary bruises on dark days or through the night. Since the bathroom is a room in our home we use at all hours, make sure to supplement lighting with nightlights and a separate ceiling light over the bath or shower.

5. Keep your water heater set at 120 degrees. You might like a warm and toasty shower but you don't want one that unexpectedly burns you either. To make sure the temperature can't accidentally rise to dangerous levels, keep your water heater set a bit low.

Which safety tips will you implement in your bathroom? Let us know on our Facebook page!

New York Plumbing and Sewer is available 24/7 for plumbing emergencies, repairs and more. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.  

5 Simple Ways to Cut on Energy Costs

Today is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day and we think there's no better time to read up on some great AND simple ways to save. With the new year underway, we're all striving to make a difference in our homes and lives - for the better. Why not save a chunk of change in 2015 by picking up on better habits.

Consumer Energy has 100 ways you can save on your energy bills, but for now we'll stick with our favorite five:

1. Call your heating professional for a tuneup! Poorly maintained heating systems are major culprits of heat loss. To decrease your heat loss by up to 1 or 2% have your heating system inspected at the start of every heating season.

2. Get with the program! A programmable thermostat is an efficient way to conserve your energy use. There's no need to have the heat set as high when everyone is out and about mid-day. Programming a thermostat will make these daily adjustments easy for you.

3. Purchase a low-flow aerator or flow restrictor and install it on your shower head. Not only will the water pressure feel even better than before but you'll use less water in the meantime! Sounds like a good switch to us.

4. Think about what is in your refrigerator or freezer before you open it. Browsing allows cold air to escape, causing sneaky increases in your energy costs. Better to keep it closed or pick quick!

5. Use supplemental heating equipment for hard to reach areas. Almost every home has a room that's hard to heat. Instead of forcing more heat out that the rest of your house doesn't need, try heating that room with a space heater or natural gas fireplace.

Happy Saving!

Whether you need boiler repair services or hot water heater installation, turn to the professionals at Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We offer a comprehensive selection of services to ensure that your home or business receives the best repairs and maintenance for optimal indoor temperatures. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

Deep Freeze Safety Tips

These freezing cold winter temperatures have us wishing for hibernation and any way to stay warm, but it could also be stirring up possible problems in your home. From your heating to your plumbing, it's important to become aware of potential safety risks.

Below are a few tips to keep in mind. (Don't worry - Cutting out hot cocoa isn't on our list).

Don't use appliances for alternative purposes. Stove tops and kitchen ranges are for cooking. They aren't meant to produce heat and should not be used that way as it is both a fire hazard and carbon-monoxide risk.

Read space heater directions completely and thoroughly. Though a great way to add a little extra heat to your home, space heaters can be extremely dangerous if used incorrectly. Never use a space heater labeled for outdoor use only indoors and make sure they are always pulled away from surfaces and combustible materials when turned on. Make sure to inspect the cord for frays or damage periodically and never use an extension cord.

Do not neglect your furnace. Strange noises and drips should always be addressed. It is also important that the furnace area and vents are free of flammable objects and blockages. You'll also want to properly insulate all pipes to avoid freezing.

New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is your neighborhood plumber. From plumbing repair to heating services, bathroom and kitchen installation and more, we are available 24/7 for whatever you need. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.