Why Does My Toilet Keep Running?

Is a constant running toilet keeping you up at night? Aside from the annoyance, this plumbing issue can worsen overtime if not taken care of immediately. There are a few reasons your toilet keeps running. Below are the three most common culprits:

 

Culprit #1: Chain Problems
Check the flush lever and rubber flapper connection. To determine whether this is the culprit, jiggle the flush lever and observe the chain between it and the flapper - if it constantly pulls on the flapper then the chain is too short. Replace the chain with an aluminum ball chain. It might also be too long. If this is the case, simply move the clip down.

Culprit #2: Broken Flapper
The rubber flapper could break at the hinge in which case you will need to unhook the flapper from the base of the tank and pull it to the surface to observe more closely. Next, turn the flapper upside down and look for any discoloration. An off color could mean the flapper is warped and needs to be replaced. But before you replace the part, clean off any buildup that might prevent the flapper from properly closing.

Culprit #3: Float Position When the tank is full, the plastic balloon-looking part floats to the top of the water. And when the tank is full, the water level should be just below the top of the overflow pipe. If the overflow pipe goes over and the tank is still filling, then the float for the pump is too high. To resolve the issue, bend the rod connecting the pump and the float so that the float is lower - a signal to the pump to shut off sooner. And if the arm doesn’t bend, you might need to call a plumber.

At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, our professionals are trained and ready to help you fix your broken toilet. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your plumbing emergencies. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more.

#TipsTuesday for Improving Water Pressure in Your Shower

Know the uncomfortable feeling of having low water pressure in the shower? Low water pressure usually occurs when you’re forced to have two different plumbing fixtures running at the same time. But sometimes there’s another problem at hand.

Some common problems that can result in low water pressure are:

• Water leaks
• Home valves
• Pressure regulators

Water Leaks
No matter how big or small, any damage to the pipe in your bathroom that results in a leak will result in lower water pressure. To determine if you have a leak or not, read the meter - shut off all water taps inside and outside the home. Then, read the meter and return two hours later. If the water usage has increased, you probably have a leak. If this is the case, contact your local plumber.

Home Valves
Sometimes valves are accidentally shut off (either completely or slightly). Make sure two of your valves are in the “on” position (the customer valve and the home valve). If you notice the valve is even slightly turned away from the “on” position, this can affect the water pressure.

Pressure Regulators
This “bell-shaped device”, typically found in front of the hose connection of your home, usually doesn’t need to be adjusted. However, sometimes a pressure regulator simply stops working gets too old and needs to be replaced. Pressure regulators can easily be repaired or replaced by a licensed plumber, so give yours a call.

At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, our licensed professionals are ready to take on the job at hand! We specialize in clogged sewer lines, clogged drains to residential and commercial customers. If you have any sewer or drain emergency then call us and we'll be there within 30 minutes, 24 hours per day 365 days a year. To learn more about our services, give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website.

Celebrating National Hug a Plumber Day

Today is National Hug a Plumber Day! Can you remember the last time you needed your plumber to fix something in the home? Plumbers all around the country are trained and experienced to help you fix any clogs or draining issues you feel might be too complicated to tackle yourself.

If you’re the handy one at home, then chances are you’ve searched the following videos on YouTube:

•     How to unclog a toilet
•     How to fix a water heater
•     How to fix a sprinkler
•     How to clear the shower drain

 But there’s only so much YouTube videos can show you, and that’s when it’s time to bring in a professional. So how can we celebrate this day? Well, you don’t necessarily need to hug your plumber, but thank your local plumber for their hard work and dedication to provide top notch service for your home! From unclogging toilets to fixing your hot water heater, plumbers are on call with the tools and knowledge to tackle it.

Becoming a plumber takes years of comprehensive training and experience. Typically, you will need to complete an apprenticeship program through an organization like the Associate Builders and Contractors. After that, it’s necessary that you earn a license and pass the necessary qualifications.

Being a licensed plumber is no easy task, but the professionals at Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter are ready to take on the job! For all of your sewer and drain cleaning needs, give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website.

Are You Making These Laundry Machine Mistakes?

Pretty soon you’ll be spending more time outdoors, and you know what that means - more laundry! From wasting too much water to using the wrong settings, here are some of the most common laundry mistakes you probably don’t realize you’re making:

Mistake No 1. Overloading the machine
You might be busy and pressed for time, but imagine how much money you can waste by ruining your clothes in the washing machine. Even the largest capacity machines have their limits, so if they’re too full, the water and detergent won't be able to reach everything. As a result, dirt will get trapped and your clothes will remain dirty.

Mistake No 2. Using too much detergent
It’s best to follow your detergent’s instructions before using. Using too little or too much can affect how clean your clothes will turn out. However, if you have a large load it is OK to use a bit more detergent. Bonus tip: If you have hard water, you might actually need more than you are using.

Mistake No 3. Forgetting to switch up machine settings
Keeping your machine on light load when you’re getting ready to fill it up or forgetting to switch from hot to cold is a common mistake that many of us innocently make. Before turning on the water, make sure you’re not using too much or too little and make sure you follow instructions on your clothes before finding the correct water temperature setting.

For example, most of your black tops probably need to be washed with cold water, and if you use too much water for a light load, you’ll be wasting water you don’t need.

Mistake No 4. Keeping shirts buttoned up
This might sound like a good idea in theory, but the truth is keeping your buttons closed can lead to “poppage”. So before you throw your shirts in the laundry, take a moment to unbutton your shirts.

Mistake No 5. Not leveling your machine
Say your machine isn’t leveled, vibrations can damage your floor and cause a terrible sound. Fix this issue by placing a level on top of your machine and adjusting the feet.

For all of your plumbing, draining, and health concerns, contact New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! We are available 24/7 for plumbing needs. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services.

When to Call a Plumber

Do you have a handyman in the house? Chances are they can probably fix most of your home’s basic needs. But when it comes to plumbing there’s a lot of things that can go wrong, so you'll want to call a plumber. Not sure when to pick up the phone and dial? Below are some common issues you’ll want some help with:

You have no hot water. When cold water is coming out of your shower and sinks, a licensed plumber will know how to pinpoint the source of the problem and get your hot water up and running quickly again.

Your home has low water pressure. There are a number of reasons why your water pressure is low. Finding the cause of this problem can be tricky and time consuming. And the last thing you want is to go days with a shower that only gives you two little streams of water, so contact an expert to be safe.  

You need a new water heater. Installing a water heater on your own can lead to potential problems down the road. To ensure that your new system is working properly, turn to a plumber who is used to installing them regularly.    

Your toilet is running. When your toilet is making unusual noises, it’s common to want to troubleshoot the issue without help. But if you don’t have backup you can actually cause worse damage than you had to start with, so again, you’ll want to call a pro.

Your pipes are frozen. If your pipes crack or burst, you’ll want to call your plumber right away. When they come for repairs, not only will they solve the problem but they can also take necessary precautions to prevent it from happening again.

For all your plumbing needs whether big or small, turn to Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We offer a wide variety of plumbing 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.    

Preventing 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' Plumbing Problems

"Out of Sight, out of mind" is more than just the lyrics to your favorite Kelly Clarkson song, it's also the reason for a good percentage of the plumbing problems in your home. Just because you don't see things like water leaks happening everyday, doesn't mean you shouldn't attend to them.

Did you know that home inspectors don't typically inspect for things like radon, lead paint and toxic mold? That means that even if you had your home inspected before purchasing it, there may still be some unwanted contaminants sneaking around. Hiring a specialist can confirm just how healthy, or not healthy your home is.

Next, your windows. Did you know that you should replace your windows every 25 years? If you have windows boarding up your home that are older than this, they're likely not doing a good job at keeping warm air in and cold air out. Installing newer, more efficient windows, can increase your home's comfort as well as its value.

A water heater that's more than 10 years old is probably just as inefficient as your windows. Since a new water heater is not that expensive, it's better to just replace it than continuously repair it.

Lastly, you can probably fill up a swimming pool with the amount of water leaking from your pipes. Though you can't see it happening, hiring a plumber to patch up some of these leaks will conserve a lot of water and help you save on your water bill.

Learn more about silent threats that are present in your home on Home Advisor »

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

Common Ways People Ruin Their Plumbing

Are you guilty of any of the common plumbing mistakes people make below? If so, you definitely are not alone. However, consider making small changes to protect your plumbing! 

Leaving hoses connected in the cold. While leaving hoses connected during the summer is okay, if it gets cold and those hoses are still connected you have a problem. Outdoor faucets will freeze if the hose is still connected. The pipes leading up to hose will be damaged if this is the case. 

Pouring too much drain cleaner down a slow drain. Drain cleaner bottles usually list a recommended amount that should be poured down the drain. This is important to identify because if you use too much, pipes can become corroded or a clog can be made even worse. Since these are major issues that should be avoided, try contacting a plumber regarding usage or other drain cleaning options if your don't see them on the bottle.

Pouring other unwanted items down your drain. Various chemicals and fats, specifically grease from bacon and oils from various foods, are not meant to be handled by your drain. Take the time to dispose of these products properly, in the garbage. While it is not always the most convenient, it will certainly save you larger inconveniences in the long run. 

Using the toilet as a trash can. Whether or not your toilet seems strong, it is not smart to test it. The pipes are not designed for large items meant for the garbage, especially not on a regular basis. Avoid this at all costs to avoid damage to your pipes and constant clogging. 

Let us know if your guilty of any of these mistakes on our Facebook page. Call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to deal with any plumbing issues that have already arose. 

Read more at newswire.com.

#TipsTuesday: Quick Tips on Toilets!

With Fix a Leak Week getting closer and closer, we're gathering more tips and tricks on how to use your appliances more efficiently! This week...the toilet. Being one of the most important appliances in the home, it's important to understand all the little quirks that go with it. Courtesy of elocalplumber.com, we've listed some here:

• The toilet uses the most water out of any household appliance. Toilet leaks only add to the water consumption and, thus, should be checked for consistently. Note they are not always noticeable. To see if there is an internal leak, put food coloring in the tank and check the toilet bowl later. If the bowl water is colored, there is a leak from the tank. This may mean you need to replace the tank ball or flapper. This test should be performed at least once a year. 
• A slow flushing toilet should never be ignored because it can cause overflows and backups. The usual causes are partial clogs, sediment buildup, or malfunctions with equipment in the tank. Conduct periodic checks on your toilet to diagnose the problem. 
• Household cleaners are oftentimes detrimental to the proper functioning of a toilet. This is especially true for drop-in cleaner tabs. When they are almost dissolved, the tank flushes the debris into the toilet bowl and it often gets stuck in the port holes, which are vital to the flushing mechanism. This debris is very hard to clean and you can be left waiting months for it to completely dissolve without the help of a professional. 
• Never flush sanitary items down the toilet. An eco-friendly alternative to flushing these clog-causing products is to dispose of them in bio-degradable bags, such as the ones produced by Golden Group International. 

For more plumbing information or to get your leaks fixed, call NY Plumber and Sewer! LIKE us on Facebook for weekly updates and more tips.

Learn About Plumbing - The Ultimate Basic Plumbing Quiz

We’re almost half way through January, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to take on something new this year. Maybe 2014 is the year for you to learn something new! Maybe even learn a little more about your plumbing system? After all, NYPlumber & Sewer is here for your emergencies, but it would be pretty impressive if you knew something about your own plumbing too!

Curious how much you already know about the plumbing in your home? Try taking TheUltimate Basic Plumbing Quiz. It’s a 20 questions quiz with 3 answer choices for each question. It even lets you know the right answer as you go along and tallies your score!

Let us know if your score proves you’re a plumbing expert on our Facebook Page! Be sure to check our blog regularly to learn more useful plumbing information. And as always, call NYPlumber & Sewer with any other questions you might have.

Good Luck!

Most Common Plumbing Problems

It is pretty common to experience some plumbing problems in your home at some point in your life.  Many problems can be avoided simply by taking some preventative steps.  Some problems are more common than others and can usually be fixed with a quick call to your local plumber.  Here are a few common plumbing problems you may run into in the future.

• Dripping faucet- Many people ignore this problem, but they don't realize that over time this can cause a great impact on your monthly water bill.  It is a cheap and easy fix that will save you a lot of money in the long run.
• Clogged Drains- This commonly happens in the kitchen and the bathroom.  A clogged drain may seem like an isolated problem but it can really cause even bigger issues throughout your plumbing system.  
• Blocked Toilet- This is very similar to a clogged drain in that it can end up causing other problems and it should be dealt with immediately.

These are only a few of the common problems that usually reek havoc on a home's plumbing system, for more common problems like faulty water heaters, the pipes underneath the sink, and much more check out http://goo.gl/5BszgD
.  It is important to maintain your plumbing system to ensure that it is running as it should.  NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter can help make sure that your plumbing is running well.  We service commercial and residential no matter how big the problem Call NY Plumber.