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! 

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! 

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! 

Things That Should Never Go Down the Drain

When it comes to the drain, most people stick to the out of sight, out of mind concept. Doing this might provide some temporary convenience, but it will lead to long term drain problems that you simply can’t afford. The truth is, there are a bunch of things we can put down the drain that cause problems beneath the surface. Do your plumbing a favor and avoid placing these types of items down the drain.

Grease
This includes gravy and melted fats from things like bacon, sausage and poultry skin. Grease, fat and oil buildups cause about 47 percent of the 36,000 sewer overflows that happen annually in the United States. You can limit the amount of grease and fat that goes into your plumbing by reminding your family to scrape their plates before putting them in the sink/dishwasher.

Eggshells 
Even a garbage disposal is not strong enough to protect your drain from the negative effects of eggshells. The shells will cling to other items stuck on drain walls and serve as another obstacle for future waste to try and avoid.

Coffee Grounds
Plumbers label coffee grounds as one of the leading causes for drain blockages in the United States. When they dissolve in water, they become grainy and difficult to pass through your pipes.

Produce Stickers 
This is a more obvious one that people constantly let slip their minds. Stickers will not dissolve in water, which means they do not belong in the drain! If they do happen to make it through your plumbing, they can cause clogs and backups in wastewater treatment plants, and that is a major problem.

Keeping these things out of the drain should ensure your pipes a long and happy life. If you run into any problems or need some more in depth fixes, call Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter today at 516-874-7937 or visit us on the web.

5 Common Lawn Problems

Now that we’ve kicked off the start to summer, we want to ask: how healthy is your lawn? Even the greenest lawn can develop problems. The trick is to keep an eye on your yard for signs of trouble. Here are 5 of the most common problems homeowners encounter:

Problem 1: Lawn is patchy
You might be frustrated by the fact that your lawn has some bare patches. To make these areas green, try reseeding these spots and keep the area moist. Water daily if necessary and mark it off to observe how well it’s growing.

Problem 2: Lawn has gray spots
Your grass might be covered in a web-like growth, which often appears during morning due. To prevent such a growth, apply fungicide and fertilize.

Problem 3: Lawn is covered in mushroom
Mushrooms don’t necessarily scream “healthy backyard.” They’re often tricky to get rid of, and pulling them in only a temporary fix. But by digging up correcting drainage problems and replacing old mulch, you have a better shot at fixing the issue.

Problem 4: Lawn is overrun with weeds
Growing weeds never looks pretty. But by applying herbicide during both spring and fall, you can kill all types of weeds.

Problem 5: Lawn is soggy
If your lawn is soggy, you might have a drainage issue. Aside from the fact that walking on wet soil is unpleasant, your plants can become overly saturated. Call your local plumber to address the drainage problem at hand.

If a soggy lawn is ruining your curb appeal, contact the yard drain experts at Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information and to learn more about our 24/7 emergency service.