Avoid a Thanksgiving Day Plumbing Disaster

What’s on your Thanksgiving menu this year? From turkey bones to potato skins, there’s plenty of opportunities to slip up when it comes to plumbing.

Your garbage disposal can handle many things, but your Thanksgiving turkey isn’t one of them! Avoid having to call a plumbing this holiday by keeping the following plumbing-friendly tips in mind:

1. Always keep your water flowing when the garbage disposal is on to make it easier for tiny scraps to wash down.

2. Keep grease out of the drain unless you want a quick clogging problem!

3. Avoid toss these items down the garbage disposal:

• Fruit peels and seeds
• Potato skins
• Turkey bones
• Stringy Vegetables
• Starchy foods (like rice or pasta)
• Egg shells
• Ground coffee (for that after-meal dessert)

4. Keep blades sharp by flushing ice cubes down the disposal.

5. If your guests offer to help clean up, kindly ask they use the trash can for all of your leftover scraps.

6. Do not force large amounts of food down the garbage disposal all at one time.

7. Keep silverware away from the unit, as they can easily fall down the disposal.

8. Drop some lemon juice down the disposal to keep it smelling fresh after you’ve cleaned up the holiday mess!

At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we know that accidents happen. That is why we are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your plumbing and drain emergencies. Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information.

#TipsTuesday: Choosing the Best Kitchen Sink

Between washing the dishes and scrubbing your hands, your kitchen sink gets a lot of use on a daily basis. That being said, it’s important that you have the best kitchen sink for the job.

Not sure where where to start? Here are three questions to ask yourself before shopping for your new kitchen sink:

What are my options?
Most sinks are made from either stainless steel, enamel-coated cast iron, and composites. Depending on how often you use your sink and how it looks with the rest of your kitchen design, take a look at your options and choose a sink material that best suits your functional and aesthetic needs.

How many sinks do I need?
Do you need one sink or two? If you hand wash your dishes often, you might want to consider an equally sized double bowl sink, as this makes it easier to separate clean and dirty dishes. Single and different sized doubles are also an option if you don’t need a double function.  

Which is the best functioning sink?
Faucets come in all different shapes and sizes, and each one has a different function. For example, rectangular shaped bowls hold more volume than oval shaped ones, which means they’re capable of holding more dishes, etc. In addition, a rectangular bowl with rounded corners means it might also be easier to clean.

For more tips on how to choose the best sink for your kitchen, click here.

Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter offers all of the plumbing, sewer, and drain services you need to keep your home functioning properly. Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information.      

How to Prep Your Plumbing for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving guests will be knocking at your door soon! Are you prepared? Part of getting your home ready for the holiday means taking a few plumbing precautions. There’s no denying that your plumbing system will get a lot more use on Thanksgiving, but here’s how you can keep it in working order all weekend long:

Check fixtures - Do you use your guest bathroom often? If not, be sure to check all the essential fixtures (faucets, toilets, showerheads, and all)! You might have a leak or cold water problem. Tackle these potential issues before the holiday arrives so you can breathe a sigh of relieve!

Be prepared - The holidays can certainly put extra stress on your plumbing, so be prepared by 1) having a plunger at hand and 2) keeping a garbage bin close by - that way your guests aren’t tempted to throw non-flushable napkins down your toilet.

Share friendly reminders - If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, chances are you’ll be doing most of the dirty work. But if your guests lend a hand when it comes time to clean up, politely remind them what should not be tossed down the garbage disposal. This includes potato peels, fruit pits, and rice. They’ll be glad for the reminder and so will your plumbing!

There are many ways you can prevent clogs at home this holiday season. But in the event that an accident occurs, Nassau Plumbing and Sewer will be ready to help! For any and all of your emergency plumbing and drain problems, our professionals are just a phone call away, with the proper tools ready to return your plumbing to normalcy. For more information on our services, give us a call at 877.713.8136 or visit our website.

World Toilet Day: Why Your Toilet Is Important

Did you know that over a billion people worldwide are left without toilets? In fact, more people have access to a mobile phone than they do to these plumbing fixtures! If you’re one of the lucky ones, then you know very well about its many benefits. Aside from comfort and convenience, your toilet also offers the utmost sanitation. Here’s how:

Health - Did you know that 1,000 children die each day due to diarrhoeal diseases? A large majority of these deaths are a result of poor sanitation, but by providing each child with clean a toilet, these numbers can drop significantly. 

Dignity - Many girls without access to a toilet are more likely to be victims of harassment or assault in school settings. And for this reason, many of these girls miss out on education. But if they had access to a clean, safe toilet, they could stop being victimized.

Privacy - Open defecation is still a worldwide issue. As a matter of fact, 15 percent of the population still practices open defecation. Lack of access to a clean toilet not only means an unsanitary lifestyle but also lack of privacy.

That’s not all! To learn more about the importance of toilets, click here.

At New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we offer all of the plumbing, sewer, and drain services you need to keep your home in working order - and that includes your toilet! If you come across any plumbing issues in your bathroom, don’t wait! Contact our professional plumbers by giving us a call at 877.713.8136 or visiting our website.

How to Increase Your Home’s Value

Putting your house on the market? Before you do, make sure you price it right! Getting the best price for your home is about making a list of what needs to be upgraded. Once you do, take this list and apply it:

Outdoors
First impressions are lasting impressions. That means even the most basic outdoor maintenance can be significant when it comes to selling. Start by mowing the lawn and trimming overgrown shrubs. Apply a fresh layer of grass if needed. Take a look at your driveway and siding to determine whether or not your home needs bigger upgrades too. 

Paint
One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to boost your home’s value is to re-paint. Whether it be old paint or bold colors, it’s best to go over that purple wall with a fresh coat of beige or any other neutral tone. This way, buyers can more easily envision themselves in the house.

Kitchen
Did you know that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to upgrade before selling? If your kitchen is looking outdated, it might be time for a re-do. Whether that means you need new fixtures, appliances, countertops, or cabinets, the more money you put into your kitchen the more return on investment you will likely see.

Bathroom
Old tub, rusty shower head, cracked tiles? Any of these elements can turn prospective buyers away. In fact, if you’re not selling right away, it might be because you need new bathroom upgrades. So reface your tub and buy new fixtures - you’ll be surprised what a difference it can make.

If you come across any plumbing issues while making these home upgrades, turn to the experts at Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We offer a wide variety of plumbing and drain services to get the fundamental components in your home in top shape! Call us today at 877.713.8136 or visit our website to learn more.

Why Your Shower Water Is Cold

There’s almost no worse feeling than hopping into a shower only to discover that your water is too cold. If only your shower water would heat up, then you could feel better as you start your day. Sometimes your water heater just needs a little time to work, but if your shower goes from hot to cold you know you a problem on your hands. Here’s a quick way to figure it out:

1. No hot water throughout your home
Is your shower the only problem area in the home? To answer this question, check the water temperature in your other bathrooms or in the kitchen. If it’s a no-go around the entire house, your problem very well might be your water heater. In this case, check the temperature control on the unit and make sure the setting is just right. The pilot light could also be out. If this is the underlying problem, it needs to be re-lit. If none of that works, call a professional to help you find the underlying cause.

2. No hot water in the shower only
If other fixtures provide you with hot water throughout the rest of your home, then you know the problem is most likely not your water heater. If your home is on the newer side, you’ll be relieved to know you likely don’t need your pipes replaced. However, if your home is old and has galvanized steel pipes rather than copper pipes, you might have a corrosion. Another way to solve the problem is to 1) find the shut off valve and 2) make sure it’s not closed. If it is, opening the valve might solve the problem. However, if that doesn’t do the trick, the problem might be your shower valve. To be safe, call your local, trusted plumber to take a close look.

Don’t go without hot water this winter - let Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter lend a helping hand! For over 50 years we have provided excellent plumbing, sewer and drain cleaning, as well as heating service, repairs and installation. We are more than prepared to handle any and all of your plumbing needs. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

Getting Your Yard Ready for Winter

No matter how meticulous you’ve been with your yard all year long, the work you put into it before winter can either make or break it. And because the harsh cold weather can do a number on your lawn, it’s important to make fall maintenance a top priority.

To make yard maintenance easier, we’ve compiled the following checklist of steps you can take to shield your lawn from the cold:

Mow it. Don’t give up on mowing your lawn too soon. Before the freezing temperatures set in, mow the law until it’s about three-fourths of an inch long.

Turn of the sprinklers. You’ll want to shut off the sprinklers before the temperatures drop so that your lawn doesn’t freeze over.

Rake up the leaves. If your lawn is buried under heaps of crunchy leaves, rake them up so that your lawn can get all the sun it needs.

Spread mulch. Protect your plants from freezing during the winter months by sprinkling about two to four inches of mulch around trees and plants.

Fertilize it. Your lawn can become especially dry in the winter, so sprinkle fertilizer around the yard to stimulate growth at the root - just prevent spreading fertilizer too much in one spot.

If you come across any plumbing issues while you’re preparing your yard for winter, contact the professionals at Nassau Plumbing & Sewer Rooter! We are here to help winterize your home and make repairs to your heating system, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

Signs You Need Your Drain Cleaned

Getting your drain cleaned is one of the most fundamental things you can do in your home. Although it’s easy to forget about, a clean drain means you’re likely to experience less problems. Not sure if you have a clogged drain? Here are 3 signs that may indicate it's time to call a professional:

Clogged Drain - Sometimes a clogged drain is harmless, and other times it needs fixing. If your clog is recurring, you know you need a professional and the right tools to solve the problem. Oftentimes it’s hair, food, or soap scum that damages your drains. Either way, if a clog reoccurs, you’ll need to get rid of it for good.

Foul Odor - A constant sewer odor smell means your drains might be damaged. If so, you will need to call a professional to unclog your drains and eliminate the stench. It’s also possible you may have broken sewer pipes that need replacing so that the issue doesn’t reoccur.

Flooding - What’s worse than clogs and foul smells? Water flooding! If you spot evidence of water flooding in your basement, in the skin, or near a floor drain in your bathroom, you may have a problem on your hands. The moment you see excess water, call a professional to come take care of the problem.

The more proactive you are with your drains, the more you can eliminate large repairs down the road. But we know that drain clogs are common, so give the pros at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter a call if you run into trouble. We offer drain cleaning services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you protect your family and your home. Call us today at 877.713.8136 or visit our website to learn more.