Smart Plumbing: Is This a Scam?

You rush to call a plumber with an emergency situation and you're shocked by the unexpectedly low bid you receive. You may be thrilled will the initial cost you are going to pay, however, you should really be saying to yourself - "Is this a scam?"

Unfortunately, there are tricks to the plumbing trade that you need to look out for in order to protect your home and your wallet. While a quality plumber may offer premium services at a competitive price, it must be presented in a professional way. 

As the customer, you should expect to receive a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the job before it is performed. You should also only hire contractors that are properly licensed and insured. If a plumber offers you an unusually low bid when you first call, they may tack on other costs you didn't expect to pay before they complete the work that needs to be done. Since your stuck in a half solved situation, this requires you to pay more for the job than you would have ever agreed to otherwise. 

For more red flags to look out for when hiring a plumber, visit rimedia.com.

New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter are licensed and insured professionals with over 50 years of experience in the plumbing industry. Call us today for a FREE estimate. We offer one flat affordable rate for every job and we never bill by the hour. 

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Celebrating Halloween on Long Island

While none of us like the spook in our own home (banging pipes, running water, toilets that continually flush on their own), many seem to love traveling around Long Island this time of year for one of kind haunted house experiences.

To give you the creeps all in one place, we're providing details on some of LI's most wanted Halloween attractions:

Bayville Scream Park: Voted scariest haunted house on LI!
Open every day through November 2nd (and Nov. 7th & 8th)
8 Bayville Avenue

The Franklin Square Horror: Only open one night a year!
October 31st, 7:00 to 11:00pm (Rain Date Nov. 1st)
1148 Norbay Street

The Rise of Jack O'Lanterns: A unique all-ages Halloween extravaganza!
October 29th - November 2nd (Advanced tickets are required)
71 Old Westbury Road

Haunted Mansion of Melville: A doctor invites his "guests" in for a thrilling experience.
October 29th - November 1st, 7pm - Midnight
26 Pinelawn Road

Voodoo Haunted House: Hallways filled of surprises!
Open Friday - Sunday, through November 2nd
210 Montauk Highway, Speonk, NY

Don't forget - many favorites are still closed due to Super Storm Sandy or other conditions. Turn to longislandhauntedhouses.info for a complete list of local attractions.

How will you be celebrating the season? Let your neighbors know on our Facebook page!

Energy Action Month: Sustainability in Our Homes

Energy is being used up at an enormous rate in the United States, and where is a huge chunk of it coming from? Our homes. The residential sector accounts for 21% of energy use in our country, the 5th largest consumption number.

The upside? If residents are largely responsible for tremendous energy use, they can also be our solution. With nearly 90% of our time spent inside the home, it is important to focus in here. Especially with the number of residential buildings growing to about 141 million in the U.S. by 2030.

Not only are these millions of homes using up energy, but they are also wasting it. According to Max Sherman, Presidential Ad Hoc Commitee on the Residential Construction Market, “Over 74% of all existing homes in the United States were constructed before 1989 - before widespread adoption of model energy codes governing their construction." This means under-insulated homes with outdated HVAC systems are running on a majority of our energy. Seems like there are some updates to be made. 

Read more at ContractorMag.org.

For upgrades to energy efficient fixtures this Energy Action Month and always, call us at New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. Taking action is the only way we can ensure a sustainable future. 

For more plumbing and heating updates, LIKE us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on Google+.

Floor Heating Benefits for Your Home

Considering installation of floor heating in your home? As a homeowner it is important to understand the various benefits that come with the projects you are about to undertake.

Floor heating (typically referred to as radiant heating) is specifically advantageous for people with allergies. Since it is not a forced air heating system, it does not blow allergens into the home. Plus, it is more efficient for this reason because it eliminates duct losses.

Other benefits of radiant floor heating include the following:

• You can place furniture anywhere in the room since there are no vents or baseboards involved.
• The even distribution of heat throughout the room creates an optimal level of warmth.
• This energy efficient alternative allows you to maintain lower energy costs than other heating methods. 

For more on floor heating visit Energy.Gov and Red Beacon. 

At New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter we handle a comprehensive list of heating services including wall furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, heat pumps, thermostats and more. For heating services and to receive your free estimate, call us today at 516.874.7937.

Energy Action Month: Ways to Save

Did you know that energy and water usage actually go hand in hand? When we rely on our water heater to deliver hot water to our shower, we're using energy just as much as we are water.

Since October is Energy Action Month, were sharing a few quick ways you can reduce energy use when it comes to your plumbing.

• Replace old shower heads with water-efficient ones 
• Install low-flow aerators on faucets which cut down on water use
• Ensure your water heater has an insulating blanket
• Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit

• Clean or replace filters in your furnace and heat pump
• Insulate your hot water pipes 
• Check for both air leaks and water leaks in your home 

Learn more about how others are saving energy and how you can too!

Take action and call New York Plumbing & Sewer Rooter for assistance today. We'll install your energy and water efficient fixtures and answer any questions you might have.

Connect with us on social media for updates on energy & water conservation, homeowner tips and more. LIKE us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and add us to your circle on Google+.

Identifying Plumbing Problems in Your Bathroom

It's National Kitchen and Bath Month! A large part of your love for these rooms in your home is plumbing that works. Think about it. How great is your bathroom shower if the water won't drain?

To help keep your bathroom in tip top shape, we're sharing three great ways to identify plumbing problems in your bathroom:

Check the bathroom sink: At first glance your might not notice any leaks under your sink. However, to catch the sneakier leaks, fill the sink with water and then let it drain entirely. Keep a close eye on the fixtures in the meantime. The full force of water will reveal leaks that may not be seen otherwise. Plus, if it's draining really slowly, you know you have a clog in there somewhere.

Inspect the toilet: Standing over the toilet, give the bowl a little nudge with your leg to ensure it doesn't wobble. A loose fixture is more likely to leak. Next, flush the toilet a few times in a row. Look around at all parts of the toilet to ensure there are no leaks.

Take a look at the tub: To inspect a bathtub, you need to find access to the drain. Similar to the sink, fill the tub with water all the way and then check the access point for leaks. Also, while draining the tub, ensure the drain isn't leaking either.

For more on inspecting plumbing fixtures in your home, click here.

At New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter we can help you inspect and fix all leaks in your bathroom, kitchen and elsewhere. Call us for the plumbing services you need at 516.874.7937. LIKE us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on Google+ for more updates on plumbing information.

Customer Service: Our Number One Priority

At New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, customer service is our number one priority! And what better time to remind you than the beginning of Customer Service Week?

We're kicking it off with a commitment to our outstanding reputation for customer satisfaction in everything we do. Need a quality sewer and drain cleaning? Heating repair? No matter the service, we send our trained team of professionals who value both our residential and commercial customers.

Proudly serving plumbing customers for over 50 years, you can rely on us for a job well done. Need a job done in just 30 minutes? You can rely on us for plumbing emergency service, too! A large part of serving our customers right is serving them when they need us most.

If you're a first time customer, call us today for a free estimate. Returning customers - we're proud to service all of your plumbing needs.

We're excited to share our social media community with our customers. LIKE us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on Google+ for updates on plumbing information.

Most Widely Used Material on the Market: PVC

With the need for piping on the rise, why not learn a little more about our options? Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC piping, is the most widely used material on the market - and for a good reason.

Becoming popular for home plumbing use in the 1950's, this piping material has some major advantages that has allowed it to shine:

Flexible & durable. Sometimes strength is in the flexibility. PVC is a material that can resist vibrations, water hammering and even earthquake damage.

No rust or corrosion. This inexpensive alternative can help you avoid the problems that come with buildup due to rust and corrosion in copper and steel pipes!

Lengthy Lifetime. PVC is a piping you can count on. When installed properly, PVC can have a lifetime of up to 100 years - almost double that of other piping options.

Budget-Friendly. Both the initial cost and maintenance costs are lower for PVC than other piping options. Sounds like a smart choice to us!

Thinking you like the sound of PVC? Learn more here.

At New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we can provide you with the pipe repair or installation services you need. Call us today at 516-874-7937! LIKE us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on Google+ for more plumbing updates and homeowner tips or information.