How to Easily Insulate Your Pipes

Are you ready for the anticipated snowstorm in New York this weekend? Don’t forget to insulate your pipes! Wrapping up your pipes can help to prevent them from freezing up when the temperatures drop. Here’s how even the most novice homeowner can insulate:

Buy the necessary tools. Shop for the following items at your local hardware store.

• Tape measure
• Pipe sleeves or fiberglass insulation
• Fiberglass pipe-wrap
• A pair of protective gloves
• Acrylic or duct tape to secure the pipe-wrap
• A box cutter or utility knife
• A headlamp if working in a dark area or crawlspace

Step 1. Start at the water heater. Measure the length of insulation you will need to cover all of your accessible pipes. Bonus tip: cover the first 3 feet of pipe starting from the water heater.

Step 2. Cut the insulation at an angle that you will be able to push over the pipe. Then, wrap around so that the seam is facing down.

Step 3. Secure the insulation by taping (or wiring) the pipe sleeve in place every foot or two.

These three steps make for a simple DIY project for winter. But if you have trouble knowing which pipes you need to insulate, give the professionals at Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter a call. In the event that your pipes do freeze up during a winter snowstorm, don’t panic! We over emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services.   

Common Winter Plumbing FAQs

Although we don’t like to admit it, freezing temperatures are on the horizon. Before the air outside becomes frigid, it’s important to learn about your plumbing system and how the cold weather can affect it.

As your trusted Long Island plumbing company, we’d like to prepare you for a few common problems we’ve come across in our profession:

Q: When do I need a water heater inspection?
A: Great question. The best way to avoid repairs is to be proactive. Prevent frozen or leaky pipes at home by having your water heater inspected before the first freezing day, which means now is the perfect time to schedule your appointment!

Q: How do I keep pipes from freezing?
A: Step one is to insulate your pipes to assure they won’t suffer from the change in weather. Next step is to seal air leaks around your pipes to keep cold air away, and lastly, be sure to wrap your pipes with heat tape to stabilize temperatures. However, if these tactics fail, give a professional a call immediately!

Q: How do I protect my outdoor plumbing fixtures?
A: Winterize your home before icy weather arrives by draining your garden hose and stowing it away for the winter. The same also goes for your swimming pool equipment. Then, shut off outdoor taps so that water has room to expand when it freezes.

At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we can help you prepare for winter weather and make necessary repairs. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your emergency plumbing issues. Call us today at 877.713.8136 or visit our website to learn more about our heating services and to learn more about our emergency service.

How to Prevent Winter Problems at Home

Winter brings many potential issues for your home - like freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls. So if you’re a homeowner, consider the following tips to protect your house and your family from some of the most common winter problems:

Clean your chimney. Almost nothing beats sitting around your fireplace with your family during those cold winter nights. From water damage during snowstorms to air pressure problems, there are several reasons why it’s important to clean your chimney. With that being said, be sure to schedule a chimney sweep and inspection sometime this month so that you’re in the clear and prepared for unexpected storms next season!

Cut tree limbs. Another way you can prevent troubles at home this winter is to protect your roof from severe damage. For example, when a blizzard hits and snow accumulates on the tree limbs in your yard, the last thing you want is for branches to come crashing down. To make sure your roof (and your home) is protected from tree damage, look for any limbs that pose a possible threat and have them removed.

Vacuum regularly. Winter often brings pesky insects, like ants. And nothing attracts them more than trails of crumbs. So take action now by making sure you vacuum and sweep your floors as much as possible - you’ll be glad you did when you hear a neighbor mention a similar issue!

Check for pipe insulation. One of the most common winter issues that can occur at home is frozen pipes. To prevent your pipes from freezing before, be sure that they are properly insulated. Ask your local plumber to check for holes and cracks, and install a foam-rubber pipe insulation to protect the pipes that are more exposed to the outdoors.

If you’re unsure about your pipe’s insulation or need plumbing upgrades, contact Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooting. We can have one of our trained professionals at your door in no time with all the right equipment to get your home ready for colder weather! Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

Prep Your Yard for Winter

Is the yard your favorite part of your property? For many, that's the case - and winter weather puts up some fierce competition that your lawn alone can't face.

Play your part before the deep freeze sets in so you can expect your beloved lawn to spring back into action when sunnier days set in.

Keep on mowing. If the grass is green, keeping going. Giving up on mowing too soon will make for an unattractive appearance.

Rake it up. If certain spots on your lawn are buried under piles of leaves they won't be getting the love from the sun that they should be.

Deal with the decay. Remove decaying and dying branches from your trees and bushes to keep them nice and healthy.

Bring in the mulch. Fresh mulch is an important factor in protecting your plants from freezing temperatures. When the first of harsher weather hits, spread two to four inches of mulch around tree bases and plants without packing it down.

Spruce up your garden. Remove all excess annuals that are well past their lifetime while leaving their roots for enriching the soil. Next, pick apart all plant debris from beds and borders as to avoid the growth of mold and infestations, including left over weeds, etc.

You have your yard in check, we'll take care of the plumbing! Call us today for assistance winterizing your home and to make repairs to your heating system. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

Outdoor Plumbing & Irrigation: Winterize It

Colder weather is coming! It is time to winterize your home - from the outside in.

Today, let's take a look at a few quick ways you can winterize your outdoor plumbing and irrigation system, as a way to avoid problems throughout the season and at the start of spring.

Replace Styrofoam insulated covers. All above ground plumbing fixtures are susceptible to freezing and should be properly insulated. Buy new covers if needed and ensure they fit just right for proper protection.

Ensure sprinkler settings are safe. For efficiency purposes, you want to avoid watering driveways and sidewalks all year round. In the winter, this is also important because you want to avoid coating pedestrian walkways with a layer of ice.

Adjust sprinkler timing. Plants still need to be watered in the winter, but less frequently. Reset your sprinkler's timer to something more appropriate.

At New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we're available for all of your plumbing emergencies and needs. Call us at 516-874-7937 today! LIKE us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on Google+ for more updates and plumbing information.

Winter Plumbing Q&A

Winter isn't over yet. It's important to learn about your plumbing system and how it is affected by frigid temperatures. Due to recent horror stories because of record low temperatures, NY Times records a Q&A with William B. Rose, a senior researcher at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

Here are some of the questions and answers provided to help give you a few more tips and tricks until we hit spring:

Q. So when it gets really cold I should turn on every faucet in the house?

A. You can be strategic about it. If the water is being fed from the center of the house and you’re not abandoning your home, those pipes are O.K. But if a pipe goes into your crawl space, or if it’s close to an outside wall or especially a vent, it’s a real good candidate for bursting in really cold weather.

So if you’re concerned about your pipes possibly bursting and you have a faucet with a gearshift lever, when you turn it on so it trickles, make sure it’s warm water so you’re getting both the hot and cold. If you run it overnight on a cold night and lose a quart of water, nobody will complain.

Q. The trickling-water idea is obviously for when I have good reason to think those pipes are in danger. If I insulate those pipes, I can breathe a little easier, right?

A. Yes, but a poor pipe insulation job is worse than no insulation. If you’re going to insulate, don’t leave blank spots, especially at elbows and T’s, where pipes can be more vulnerable to freezing. And make sure all the fittings are insulated as well. There are also thermostat-controlled heating cables you can buy at the hardware store.

Q. What if I forget one faucet in the house and I wake up and no water comes out of it when I turn it on, but the pipe hasn’t blown yet?

A. O.K., here’s an important thing. If that happens, it’s critical not to close the faucet. Ice has created a blockage and it’s still growing toward the fixture. If you shut the faucet, there’s nowhere for the pressure to go, and it can burst. If you leave it open, even slightly, you’re O.K.

For more questions and answers visit NY Plumber and Sewer Rooter or post your question on our Facebook Page. We provide emergency response to all of NY!

Winter Safety Tips: When the Cold Gets Colder

Between the recent snowstorm and the frigid temperatures, “heating systems are running at full force and many people are resorting to other sources to keep their homes warm.” The Red Cross wants to keep people safe and avoid fire dangers. NY Plumber & Sewer wants to keep you informed as well, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the most important tips listed on The Daily News Online:

• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
• If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
• Use generators correctly. Never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.
• Keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst.
• Avoid frozen pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage.

As always, NY Plumber & Sewer is available 24/7 for any emergencies you may face. If you have any other winter safety tips, lets us know on our Facebook Page.

Read more at thedailynewsonline.com.

Wrap Up Your Home This Winter

The winter months are often a time when your pipes can start acting up or be at risk of damages. Since no one looks forward to frozen pipes or flooded carpets, we’ve provided you with 5 “stress-free” winter tips, courtesy of the Winter Wise Owl:

1. Keep your pipes toasty: Wrap up your pipes and water tanks with lagging. Pay extra attention to the pipes running along the outside of your property, as these are more likely to freeze when the mercury plummets. Also use waterproof lagging for outside pipes!

2. Find your stop tap: Your stop tap controls the flow of water into your home. It’s usually found under the kitchen sink, or sometimes in a cellar or garage. Know where it is so you can turn the water off quickly if your pipes freeze or there’s a burst. 


3. Keep the heating on: Keeping your central heating on low during a cold spell will prevent your pipes from freezing. Also, make sure the heating is still running when you’re away too!

4. Have the name of a plumber handy: Keep the name of a reliable plumber in a safe place, just in case you have a burst. Remember NY Plumber & Sewer is available 24/7!

5. Check with your neighbors: If you find yourself without water when it’s freezing cold outside, check out how your neighbors are doing. If they still have water, it could be that your pipes have frozen. NY Plumber & Sewer has an emergency number listed you can call!

Don't let pipe destruction ruin your winter! Be sure to take advantage of these preventative steps. 

Preparing your Plumbing Vents for the Winter

We had our first snowfall of the year today!  This reminds us to get our plumbing ready for the winter months.  Frozen pipes aren't the only plumbing issues during the winter.   The freezing weather can cause blockages in your plumbing vents, which will dramatically affect how your plumbing works.  Taking a few preventative steps will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

1. Keep vents clear of snow. 
2. Make sure you have proper venting. 
3. Make sure your vents are the correct size.
4. Do not ignore warning signs of problems. 

For more information and explanation on how to properly prep and take care of your plumbing vents please visit: http://goo.gl/2ziNlG.

If you do experience any problems with your plumbing vents or any other part of your plumbing, please call New York Plumber & Sewer Rooter, we are available 24/7!
516-874-7937