3 Reasons for a Slow Flushing Toilet

It can be extremely frustrating to have any sort of plumbing out of order in your home. Whether it's as simple as a slow flushing toilet or as disastrous as one that overflows, we're unable to complete a lot of regularly daily tasks we never even think twice about.

While a slow flushing toilet might seem like nothing more than a slightly strange inconvenience, it could be the start to a more major plumbing problem. Here's a few good reasons it could be happening:

An obstruction in your sewer line. To find out if your sewer is the problem, run water from a pipe that is higher than the toilet. A sink in the same bathroom or on the floor above would be a good idea. If the toilet shakes, or the water rises or bubbles, your sewer is probably to blame. Problems with your sewer typically require a professional.

A faulty flush valve. If the water level is also lower than usual, your flush valve could be causing the slow flush. For a simple fix, first check the toilet tank to see if the flapper is warped. Even if it's just more than 5 years old, it may be beneficial to replace this part.

Dirty jets. Calcium build up at the rim of the bowl can inhibit water from freely flowing through the toilet. You can easily give your jets a deep clean with a homemade cleaner made up of baking soda and vinegar. If you're not sure how to do this, give the professionals at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter a call.

Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is available 24/7 for plumbing needs in the bathroom and around the house. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

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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When is it Time to Call the Plumber?

Have a handyman at home? They probably cover some of the basic home care needs on their own. Saving money where you can is smart. However, tackling more difficult projects can lead to other damages that will cost you more money in the long run.

Not sure when it's a good idea to pick up the phone and call a plumber? Turn to the most common examples below:

You notice low water pressure throughout your home. There are a number of reasons your water pressure could be low. A licensed and professional plumber is trained to pinpoint the exact cause quickly and get your water flowing freely again.

There's no hot water. Again, determining the cause could take quite awhile. Professional plumbers know everything there is to know about heating appliances and can find the right fix quickly.

You need to replace your water heater. Installing a new water heater is no easy feat. To ensure your new water heater will begin working properly, turn to a plumber who has the routine down pat and installs them on a regular basis.

Your sewer line is backed up. Plumbers have advanced technology that can inspect and repair your sewer line efficiently. Attempting to dig up your yard on your own and fix the sewer line may actually end up being more costly.

Your pipes are frozen. If the pipe has already burst or cracked, you'll need a professional plumber to make the repairs. Even if the frozen pipe is still intact, you may want a plumber to take a look at it to prevent more sever damage.

Other than these common plumbing emergencies above, calling a plumber for regular routine maintenance is also a smart idea. Being proactive with your plumbing is the best way to avoid those little surprises throughout the year.

At New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we're available for all of your plumbing emergencies and needs. Call us at 516-874-7937 today! LIKE us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on Google+ for more updates and plumbing information.

#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.

Winter Safety Tips: When the Cold Gets Colder

Between the recent snowstorm and the frigid temperatures, “heating systems are running at full force and many people are resorting to other sources to keep their homes warm.” The Red Cross wants to keep people safe and avoid fire dangers. NY Plumber & Sewer wants to keep you informed as well, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the most important tips listed on The Daily News Online:

• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
• If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
• Use generators correctly. Never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.
• Keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst.
• Avoid frozen pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage.

As always, NY Plumber & Sewer is available 24/7 for any emergencies you may face. If you have any other winter safety tips, lets us know on our Facebook Page.

Read more at thedailynewsonline.com.

Reminder: Get Your Drains Cleaned Annually

As we begin the New Year, NY Plumber & Sewer wants to remind you how important it is to get your drains professionally cleaned at least once annually! What better time to check this off your to do list than now? Getting your drains cleaned professionally at the beginning of each year is a simple way to avoid the problems clogged drains can create.

Again, our highly trained professional plumbers provide sewer and drain cleaning services as well as other plumbing services. We specialize in clogged sewer lines and clogged drains to residential and commercial customers. If you have any sewer or drain emergencies call us and we'll be there within 30 minutes, 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.

Keep your headaches to a minimum in 2014 and take care of this today! Call our office anytime at (718) 354-8013 or visit our website for more information.

Holiday Emergency Plumbing Tips

A plumbing emergency can pop up without warning. A disaster like this during the holiday may seem like a reason to panic, but don't worry, we've got you covered. For an immediate emergency here's some do-it-yourself tips for you to follow until you have time to call the plumbing pros.

1. Know where your house's main shut-off valve is located. If you know where your water meter is, the main shut-off valve is usually located near it.
2. Learn how to shut off the water supply to individual fixtures. It's important to understand how to isolate the issue and be able to stop the flow of water. If you are unsure how to find these fixtures, give our office a call and we would be happy to come by and give you the full run down of important information.
3. Unclogging a Toilet. This may be the most common plumbing issue, especially during the holiday when homes are crowded with family and friends.
4. Dripping or Leaky Faucet. Did you know that a leaky faucet can actually cost you hundreds of dollars a year if not fixed? We suggest starting by replacing the O-ring. This eventually will be a bigger issue and should be attended to by a plumbing specialist.

We hope this tips help you avoid the stress of any plumbing issues during the holiday season. If you do experience any problems with your plumbing vents or any other part of your plumbing, please call New York Plumber & Sewer Rooter, we are available 24/7!
516-874-7937.