How to Easily Insulate Your Pipes

Are you ready for the anticipated snowstorm in New York this weekend? Don’t forget to insulate your pipes! Wrapping up your pipes can help to prevent them from freezing up when the temperatures drop. Here’s how even the most novice homeowner can insulate:

Buy the necessary tools. Shop for the following items at your local hardware store.

• Tape measure
• Pipe sleeves or fiberglass insulation
• Fiberglass pipe-wrap
• A pair of protective gloves
• Acrylic or duct tape to secure the pipe-wrap
• A box cutter or utility knife
• A headlamp if working in a dark area or crawlspace

Step 1. Start at the water heater. Measure the length of insulation you will need to cover all of your accessible pipes. Bonus tip: cover the first 3 feet of pipe starting from the water heater.

Step 2. Cut the insulation at an angle that you will be able to push over the pipe. Then, wrap around so that the seam is facing down.

Step 3. Secure the insulation by taping (or wiring) the pipe sleeve in place every foot or two.

These three steps make for a simple DIY project for winter. But if you have trouble knowing which pipes you need to insulate, give the professionals at Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter a call. In the event that your pipes do freeze up during a winter snowstorm, don’t panic! We over emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services.   

Use Less Energy on Your Water Heater

Today is Earth Day - the perfect time to go green in your home! You might ask, “How can I save the most energy?” While there are countless ways to help the environment, you can start with your water heating system. Water heating is the second largest energy waster, which accounts for 14-18 percent of your household’s total energy costs.

With that being said, here are five tips to cut down your water heating use:

1. Turn down the tank’s thermostat. The Energy Department recommends most households lower it to 120 degrees. If your thermostat doesn’t have a numbered gauge, turn it half way between the “low” and “medium” marks. For every 10 degrees you lower it, you’ll also save about 3-5 percent on your bill at the end of the month.

2. Use less hot water. We all love a long hot shower, but when you’re a family of four, using 700 gallons of water every week, you’re wasting a three-year supply of drinking water for one person! Try to cut back a little at home. Every minute counts!

3. Drain and sediment. Tanks have the natural tendency to build up sediment, which reduces efficiency and makes saving energy a bit more challenging. The solution? Drain the tank to keep it running smoothly. Most manufacturers recommend draining the tank once or twice a year, so call the experts for help!

4. Insulate exposed hot-water pipes. By insulating hot water pipes, faucet-water will become about 2-4 degrees warmer - saving you time, energy, and money!

Will you think twice before using hot water in your home? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page.

Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter can provide heating and drain cleaning services across Long Island. Ask our professionals other questions you may have about keeping the house eco-friendly. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

Fall Home Maintenance Tips for Cooler Days

Can you feel the fall air outside today? Their is no denying that chillier weather is headed our way. Plus, in New York, we have potentially bone chilling winters to think about!

What are you doing to prepare? It's a good idea to take care of your fall maintenance checklist today, so you can do nothing but snuggle up by the warm fireplace later.

Insulation. Insulate exposed pipes indoors and out! Remove exterior hoses and apply insulating caps to outdoor spigots. This will save you the headache that comes with damaged pipes later on.

Drafts. You may not notice it just yet, but when the temperature drops you will. Check now for spots where weatherstripping may need to be reapplied to avoid cold air leaking through windows and doors.

Water Heater. Drain your water heater and refill to give it a good cleanse. Considering going tankless this year to approve efficiency? Give us a call!

Furnace. Make sure those air filters are squeaky clean. Weather your furnace needs repair or replacement, call us today before it's too late!

For more on fall home maintenance tips, turn to Angie's List.

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.

Save Energy: Wrap Your Plumbing Pipes

After yesterday's snow storm, a major cold front is coming to the New York Metro area. Your plumbing and water heater will be feeling the strain of worker harder due to the colder temperatures. But it doesn't have to be that way. if you give your pipes a helping hand with some insulation, you will save money on energy costs this winter.

Here's what you need to know:

For hot water pipes, if warm water flows through an uninsulated pipe, it loses heat rapidly to the surrounding environment, thanks to the large surface area of the pipe. By insulating hoses pipes, you can help direct the heat where it needs to go, ensuring that warm water stays warm on its way to the sink, shower or washing machine.

For more information on insulating your water heater please read this great article Linked Here.

So now that you know all the importance of wrapping your pipes, it is now time to call NY Plumbing & Sewer Rooter for yours today!!!
You can visit our website http://www.nyplumbingandsewerrooter.com or call us at (718) 354-8013 for 24/7 service!