Planning the Perfect Labor Day Party on Long Island

Labor day weekend marks the last big party weekend of the summer. You owe it to yourself and Summer 2016 to plan the best Labor Day party that you can. You'll need all the right decorations, food and games to make your party stand out from the rest. And if you have any plumbing problems that you think might ruin the occasion, Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter will be there to save the day. So let's get started! 

Pick a Theme

America is never a bad choice on a day like Labor Day! You could go to the store and buy American flag napkins, cups and even forks and knives if you're feeling extra patriotic. As for the dress, you could play around with the "no white," rule that typically applies to post-labor day fashion. Since white clothes will be out of the wardrobe in the coming months, you could ask your guests to wear all white at your party. This is a fun little idea and it will make for great pictures! 

Pick Your Food 

While a BBQ might seem cliche, it is just the most classic way to end the summer. On your trip to the store, be sure to pickup some chicken/vegetable kabobs, burgers and hot dogs. You want to enjoy your time with friends and family before going back to work, so there is no time to be slaving away in the kitchen. These classic treats are tasty and easy to cook. Enjoy! 

Pick Out Some Games 

You want to make sure the leisure activities you have planned are safe and fun for the whole family. For the adults, Corn Hole is a great choice and you might even find that you enjoy it more than the classic horseshoes. There are two players per team and games are played to 21, may the best man win! As for the kids, a slip-n-slide will keep them cool, happy and busy. Can you ask for anything more? 

Please feel free to share your Labor Day party pictures with us on Facebook or Twitter! 

And remember, more guests might lead to plumbing problems, so make sure your system is in working order before the big day. If you need help, call Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 516-874-7937 or visit us on the web!

Plumbing Jobs For the Pros

Even if you're feeling confident in your ability, there are some plumbing jobs you just shouldn't mess with. Trying to save a few bucks is always good, but your lack of expertise could lead to more expensive problems in the future. Here are some of the plumbing tasks that we recommend leaving to the the professionals at Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter: 

Complex Pipe Problems 

By complex, we mean basically anything above tightening a loose fitting. If you start messing with pipes on your own, you could open the door for leaks, floods and a multitude of different problems.

Water Heater Repairs 

Whether you have an electric or gas burning heater, DIY fixes could be hazardous. Just think about it, do you really want to mess with gas or electrical hazards just to save cash? Our technicians have had years of training and their odds of coming out unscathed are far better than yours. 

Gas/Propane Related Jobs

This doesn't really need to be said, but gas is extremely combustible and dangerous. Even the smallest leak in a gas line could lead to catastrophic consequences for you and your family. Please leave these tasks to your plumbing or heating professionals. 

Permit Related Work 

If you are expanding your bathroom or kitchen, the work likely requires a permit. Even if you are fully capable of producing quality work, it might not pass a formal inspection. Plumbing professionals are aware of the local laws, codes and provisions that need to be met for this type of work.

At Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter, our plumbing technicians are fully licensed and insured. We have been serving the Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and NYC area for over 50 years and all of our work is fully guaranteed. Whether your plumbing problems happen at noon or midnight, we will be there in as little as thirty minutes! 

To schedule an appointment, call 516-874-7937 or visit us on the web! 

An Inside Look at Your Plumber's Toolbox

Preparation is the key to success when it comes to the plumbing profession. If you don't have the right tools handy, you won't be able to fix those leaky faucets or clogged drains. Just like a superhero has his powers, plumbers have their torches, hacksaws and plungers to fight off leaky crime. 

Let's take a look at some of the tools that you might find in your plumber's toolbox: 

Propane Torch 

A torch?! Why does he need a torch? Don't worry it is not as scary as it sounds. Plumbers need heat if they are going to sweat your copper pipes or fittings. 

Channellocks

This is usually the first tool out of the box on house visits. Plumbers will use this form of pliers to grab, pull, twist or hold pipe fittings. 

Hacksaw

Have you ever heard of the football player named Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds? Well he earned that nickname because of his toughness and this saw certainly is tough. It is used to cut through bolts, pipes and other plumbing hardware. 

Pipe Wrench 

Pipes and plumbers go hand in hand, so naturally every plumber must own a pipe wrench. Most of them have two; one for holding and gripping a fitting, and the other for turning. If they only have one, they must have some pretty strong hands! 

Plunger 

This common household tool is often referred to as a plumbers best friend- and for good reason. After all these years, the plunger is still the most effective tool for unclogging sinks, tubs and toilets. 

The skill to use all of these tools is what separates a good plumber from a great one. At Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, all of our plumbers are highly skilled and great at what they do. If you want to schedule service, just call 516-874-7937 or visit our website! 

Get the Best With Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter

With so many plumbing companies lobbying for your business, it can be hard to find the one that is the best for you. Some companies might have the best prices, but with a little research, you come to find that their customer service is sub par. On the other hand, you might really love a particular company, but their estimates seem ridiculously overpriced. At Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we combine high quality service with affordable pricing. Here's a list of some other reasons why we are the best in the business:

1. Longevity 

For over 50 years, Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter has provided excellent plumbing, sewer and drain cleaning service, as well as heating repairs and installations. If you live in Nassau, Queens or NYC, our expert technicians can take care of your plumbing needs today! 

2. Outstanding Staff

From the time you call to the time the job is done, you will be dealing with people who have your best interest at heart. Our customer service representatives, dispatchers and warehouse personnel back our fully licensed technicians every step of the way. When you choose Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, you get more than just a plumber. 

3. 24/7 Service

We realize that plumbing, heating and sewer problems don't always happen in the middle of the day; that's why our technicians work around the clock to serve you. If you have any plumbing emergencies, call us and we will be there within 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! 

4. Per-Job Pricing 

Some companies charge by the hour, and when problems arise, you wind up digging deeper into your pockets to pay for the extra labor. Fortunately for you, that is not how we operate around here. When you choose us, you get the highest quality workmanship without any surprises on your bill. The price is the price from beginning to end!

If you are experiencing plumbing problems and want to give us a try, call one of our customer service representatives at 516-874-7937. We will show you that all of these words are backed by truth. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Tips You'll Need For Dog Bathing

We all love our dogs, but sometimes they just flat out stink! The obvious solution would be to give them a bath, but sometimes this is just too much of a hassle. Well you are in luck, because these five bathing tips for dogs will make things much easier. 

Tip 1: Don't Wash Them Too Often 

Dogs don't require the same cleaning schedule that you do. Experts recommend you clean your dog once a month, unless they have a skin infection. Bathing them too frequently can lead to knots, irritation and all sorts of uncomfortable rashes. 

Tip 2: Ease Them Into It 

At some point in your life you had to be taught how to bathe. Well, the same goes for your dog. You can start by putting them in the tub and leaving the water off for awhile. Play with Fluffy for a little while so he/she starts to associate the bath with play time. After they have calmed down a bit, you can slowly start cupping water and placing it on their backs. 

Tip 3: Make Sure You Have the Right Shampoo 

Pet stores try and run you dry with their prices, but you have to bite the bullet when it comes to shampoo. You don't want to use human shampoo on dogs because their skin has a different pH balance then ours does.

Tip 4: Remember the Drain 

When Fluffy makes a mad dash for dry freedom, you need to turn your focus to the drain. It's really just common sense, dogs have more hair than we do, so they leave more of it behind in the tub. Be sure to scoop up any wet hair that you can get your hands on. Once you have done that, run the water a little bit to make sure the rest of the hair you missed is washed down the drain.

Tip 5:  Give Fluffy a Treat 

When you trained him/her to sit, did you do so with the help of treats? The answer is probably yes, so make sure you do the same after they take a bath. Once you can get them to associate bathing with their favorite snack, you'll have to beg them to get out of the tub! 

At Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter, we know how important it is to keep you and your dog clean. But you can't do that without the cooperation of your plumbing. If you are having any plumbing problems, give us a call at 516-874-7937 or visit us on the web! 

How To Care For Your Washing Machine

Maintaining your washer machine is a good way to avoid cleaning up after it. With the kids going back to school, the dirty clothes are going to start piling up. Whether you are washing football jerseys, school clothes or leotards, you need your washer machine to go into the school year in peak form. 

Inspect the Hoses 

The hoses on your washer machine are responsible for giving and taking water from your main unit. Just like pipes, these hoses are susceptible to wear and tear, so it is important to stay on top of them. If you notice any blistering or cracks, you'll want to replace the hose as soon as possible. Neglecting the issue will leave you cleaning up very expensive flood damage. 

Keep it Level 

Despite what some may think, the washer machine is not supposed to shake. Vibrations are caused by the legs of the unit being out of sync, and this is not to be ignored. Most standard washing machines have adjustable legs that are easy to access with the proper tools. If your not really a tool person, try leveling off the unit with some wooden shims. 

Avoid Overloading

Consult your owners manual to figure out the proper load size for your unit. Keep a little scale next to your laundry so that you can meet the requirements. Over sized loads aren't good for the washer machine or your clothes. 

Prevent Flood Damage 

If your washing machine does fall on hard times, you want to have the proper precautions in place to avoid major flood damage. An emergency water shutoff system prevents water damage by automatically shutting off the water flow when a malfunction is detected. So if you are upstairs while the laundry is running, this will help back you up. 

If any of your appliances need installation or repair, call the experts at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We have all of the experience and tools that you need to get the job done. To schedule service, call 516-874-7937 or visit us on the web! 

How You Can Help Keep Water Clean

Water is essential to life on earth, and that does not solely mean human beings. This earth is all of ours to share, and keeping the water on it clean is everyone's responsibility. August is National Water Quality Month, so there is no better time to learn how you can contribute to a cleaner future for our water!  

Be mindful of outdoor surfaces. 

When a summer storm ends, the runoff heads towards the storm drains to be treated and recycled. On it's path, the water picks up all types of pollutants from hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete. If possible, you might want to switch your outdoor surfaces to paving stone or gravel.

Keep non-degradable products out of the toilet. 

Not only is it bad for your plumbing, but throwing things like wipes and tampon applicators down the toilet can really disrupt the sewage process. These items often wind up littering the environment or worse- they wind up hurting animals. 

Keep certain things out of your sink drain. 

Certain household cleaners don't belong in your sink. Chemical based cleaners might contain sodium hypochlorite, ammonia and formaldehyde. And in case you were wondering, you don't want any of those chemicals anywhere near your water.

Clean up after pets.

Not only is it courteous, but cleaning up after pets can also help maintain a cleaner water supply. Fecal matter and water simply don't mix, but far too often this winds up being the case. When it rains, your pets waste is washed from the street or the grass into storm drains. That very same water is then dumped into a water treatment plant to be recycled. Gross! 

Upgrade your plumbing. 

Old pipes are susceptible to rust and corrosion that can contaminate your water. Galvanized steel piping was the standard in many old homes, but you should consider upgrading to the much safer PVC piping. 

Improving the water quality on earth is going to take quite some time, but you have to start somewhere. If every person does their part, we can have safe drinking water for centuries to come. 

If you are interested in upgrading your plumbing to ensure cleaner water for your family, call the experts at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We can handle repairs, installations and just about anything else you throw at us. To schedule an appointment call 516-874-7937 or visit our website! 

The Biggest Plumbing Problems

No matter what kind of home you have, the plumbing is not going to last forever. Problems will occur at some point in time, whether you like it or not. That is why it is so important to have a good plumber you can call to fix them quickly. The first step in solving any problem is knowing what the problem is. So here is your list of the most troublesome plumbing and sewer problems:

Cracked Pipes 

It is not smart to apply the out of sight, out of mind saying to your pipes. While everything might seem fine on the surface, you have no idea what is going on underneath. If your home was built a long time ago, the plumbing likely was too, and that is not good for you. Over time, galvanized steel and copper pipes will start to develop cracks that can lead to major leaks and even floods.  

Tree Roots

If you have an older tree sitting on your property, you would be surprised at just how far its roots can stretch. If they stretch into your sewer pipes, you could be in trouble. The roots are not easy to navigate around, so infiltration can lead to total blockages in your sewer line and you might not be aware of it until it is too late. 

Drain Clogs 

If your kitchen and bathroom are constantly in use, there is a good chance at least one of your drains will become clogged. There are various DIY methods to unclogging drains, but sometimes the problem is just too large to get rid of without the help of a professional. You could have worse problems, but drain clogs can be tricky, so it is important to handle them quickly. 

No matter how big or small the problem might be, turn to the experts at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to take care of it for you. All of our plumbers are fully licensed and great at what they do. To schedule your next appointment, call us at 516-874-7937 or visit us on the web! 

The Most Effective Way to Clean Your Kitchen

You clean to cook, you cook and then you clean what you cooked.Is this how most of your nights in the kitchen are spent? All that cleaning might make you wonder if you are doing it right. In this instance, there really isn't a wrong way to do it, but like most things, there is a best way! 

Step 1: Clear It Out

The kitchen is not a place for debris like unread mail, toys and shoes. Before you really dig deep into your cleaning, make sure you clear the floor, counters and drawers of anything that doesn't belong. 

Step 2: Take Care of the Sink 

Take some dish soap and give it a few squirts into your empty sink. Once you are satisfied, fill the sink halfway with warm water and begin scrubbing the walls with a sponge. After the whole sink is coated, let the soap settle and do its job in removing grease and stains. 

Step 3: Dust the High Areas

Knock dirt and dust off of these neglected areas into a place where you can sweep them off later. Leaving these hard to reach areas alone will lead to a musty, allergy filled kitchen area. 

Step 4: Wipe the Stovetop 

Remove grill racks and set them aside in a safe place. Once your stove is clear, spray it down with some disinfectant and go to work. After you finish washing the dirtiest place in your kitchen- toss the rag, you won't be needing that again. Feel free to clean your grill racks too if they were the victim of some sauce overflow! 

Step 5: Wipe the Countertops 

This is the spot you really want to shine. If you have granite counters, the best course of action is to use a disinfectant wipe first. Begin by knocking all the crumbs to the ground and put some effort into scrubbing out those tough stains. Once this is complete, spray some granite cleaner onto your counters and wipe in a circular motion until they are sparkling. 

Step 6: Sweep

Put on your best Cinderella impression and sweep those floors! All of the dust and crumbs that you knocked onto the floor throughout the process aren't going to get up and walk away on their own. 

A clean kitchen means nothing if your plumbing isn't in working order. For more information on the extensive plumbing services that we offer, call the experts at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We can be reached at 516-874-7937 or by visiting us on the web! 

Famous People Who Could Have Been Plumbers

In a profession like plumbing, you really have to be passionate about what you do. Being a plumber is no easy task, and even some of the greatest minds in the world have been fascinated with its intricacies. Whether you want to be a rock star, actor or super genius, plumbing could be the place to start.

Albert Einstein 
While his brain was thinking up the Theory of Relativity, Einstein was having dreams of what his life would have been like if he chose his preferred profession.. plumbing! Einstein was quoted saying that if he could do it all over again, he would be a plumber. Was he fully serious when he said that? Maybe, maybe not, but could you imagine what a brain like that could have done for the plumbing industry?

Ozzy Osbourne 
Before he was tearing up the stage with Black Sabbath, Ozzy was just another kid who wanted to be a plumber. He became an apprentice at the age of 15 and worked with the same company for about two years. After that, he traded in his wrench for an ax and started revolutionizing music with his band mates. That career path probably suited him better, his plumbing buddies might not have taken so kindly to his bat biting antics.

Michael Caine 
You know Caine for his work in Zulu, The Italian Job and Batman, but this academy award winner was fixing pipes long before appearing on the big screen. At age 16, he left school to join the service and did that until his 18th birthday. Upon returning home, Caine worked as a plumbing assistant before realizing his talent in the performing arts. If he had stuck it out in the plumbing world, Bruce Wayne would have to have found another Alfred.

We might not have any famous people in our ranks, but the experts at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter can get the job done! If you have any plumbing problems, call 516-874-7937 or visit our website to set up an appointment.