What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing emergencies are unfortunate events that can happen sporadically to many homeowners. More often than not, the damage can be significant and can ruin your home. To contain the damage done to your home during a plumbing emergency, consider these tips.

Close the Valve - Many plumbing emergencies include a leaking or bursting pipe. This can cause water damage, which can ruin possessions, furniture, appliances, and the house itself if mold begins to grow. Once the leak is identified, you should be sprinting to your main water shut-off valve. By shutting off the main water supply, you can prevent the water from continuing to leak into your home.

Take a Gander - Before calling a plumber, take the time to look at the damage. Try to figure out what is malfunctioning and what damage your house has sustained. This will allow your plumber to have a better understanding of what needs to be done before arriving. It can also save time by helping the plumber prepare for what equipment to bring.

Call a Plumber - Call up your local plumber, preferably one that offers 24 hour emergency service for your convenience. Tell the plumber as much information about the problem as you can. This way they can give you either a quote or a general idea of how much it will cost to have your problem fixed.

Not sure where the damage is coming from? Don’t worry - that’s what we’re here for! When you have a plumbing emergency and you need the help of a professional, look no further than Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! Our experts are ready for your plumbing emergencies with our 24 hour emergency service that is delivered in 30 minutes or less. Once we arrive, you’ll receive a free estimate before any work is started. Call us today at 877.713.8136 or visit our website for more information.

Super Bowl Sunday: Emergency Plumbing Services

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner and there's no denying you will be tuning into America's most popular game. Between the wings, craft beer and tension over your Super Bowl Squares, there will certainly be no time for a plumbing mishap.

Not to worry! NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is available 24/7 for emergency services and Super Bowl Sunday will not be an exception. While you're rooting for your favorite team or anxiously waiting to see if your bet wins, we can get rooting your clogged pipes and drains or handle any other unexpected plumbing services you might need.

Still trying to plan your Super Bowl Sunday? Check out a complete list of New York Events here »

Have our emergency number on hand, 877.713.8136, or visit our website for a complete list of services we provide. 

National Bath Safety Month: Preventing Dangers

January is National Bath Safety Month and a perfect time to share a few ways you can prevent danger in and around your bathtub. From small children to seniors - staying safe from potential hazards in the bathroom starts with smart choices and small safety implementations.

Get started with these few tips today:

1. Use slip resistant bath mats only. Throw rugs might look nice but can also cause one to slip and fall. Non-slip backed bath mats help to ensure your family's stability in the bathroom.

2. Keep the bathroom floor dry. We're all guilty of flooding the bathroom floor each time we shower. The danger here, however, is when someone else walks in for a different purpose they might not be expecting a slippery floor. Always wipe floors dry each time you bathe, use the sink, etc.

3. Incorporate grab bars or rails. Installing something you can hold onto in the bathroom could be helpful for people of all ages. They can help you catch your bathroom if you skip a step in the shower.

4. Keep your bathroom well lit. Sharp edges and hard objects can cause unnecessary bruises on dark days or through the night. Since the bathroom is a room in our home we use at all hours, make sure to supplement lighting with nightlights and a separate ceiling light over the bath or shower.

5. Keep your water heater set at 120 degrees. You might like a warm and toasty shower but you don't want one that unexpectedly burns you either. To make sure the temperature can't accidentally rise to dangerous levels, keep your water heater set a bit low.

Which safety tips will you implement in your bathroom? Let us know on our Facebook page!

New York Plumbing and Sewer is available 24/7 for plumbing emergencies, repairs and more. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.  

How to Prevent Plumbing Problems While on Vacation

Deciding to go on a last minute vacation to get away from the cold this winter? We don't blame you! However, there are some things you might want to add to the to-do list to ensure you come back to a problem-free home. Red Beacon suggests considering these 8 things before flying off to paradise:

1. Turn Off Main Valve: With this valve turned off, water shouldn't be coming into your home. This means that any leaks or bursts shouldn't pour uncountable gallons of water into your home while you’re gone.
2. Check water lines: Look at all the water lines connecting appliances, sinks and toilets to make sure you don’t find leaks and cracks. If you find signs of problems, try to replace water lines before you leave.
3. Sump Pump: Use a bucket to pour water down the sump pit to make the water level higher. Watch to see what happens as the sump pump deals with the extra water. It should pump it out of the basement. If your sump pump doesn't get rid of the water, you have a potential problem on your hands. 
4. Exterior Faucets: Turn off the water supply to all outdoor faucets. Open the faucets after you turn off the water to make sure there’s no water remaining in the pipes that could expand and cause a crack.
5. Water Heater: Check the floor around your water heater to make sure you don’t see any evidence of leaks. Also, it’s a good idea to set the thermostat to a “vacation” setting so it won’t use energy to heat water while you’re gone.
6. Drains: Add a little water and a special drain maintenance product to every sink, shower and bathtub drain in your house. This will maintain a moist environment in the drains and stop undesired odors from starting.
7. Final Check: Check every appliance with a water supply  (washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher and hot water heater) to make sure these appliances are dry and there’s no corrosion on the water lines or connections.
8. Checking In: Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your house while you’re gone. Just walking around the house and looking carefully at the foundation will probably be enough to detect problems going on inside your house.

Now go on vacation with a piece of mind! For problems you find that need to be fixed fast, call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 212-235-1436.

Thanks Red Beacon!

Keep The Super Bowl Super - Emergency Plumbing Services

2014 is a big year for the New York Plumber and Sewer Rooter community. Super Bowl Sunday is right in our back yard and you know were always rooting! Many fans will be freezing on Sunday, February 2nd at MetLife Stadium in Rutherford, New Jersey. The rest of us, however, will be celebrating with family and friends in our home!

New York Plumber and Sewer Rooter wants to remind you that no plumbing or heating issue should get in the way of cooking your favorite appetizers, pouring your favorite drinks, or watching the game winning touch down. We're available 24-7 for your emergency plumbing needs so you don't have to stop cheering or even get up off the couch!

Call our emergency line (877-713-8136) for 30 minute emergency service, because the super bowl must go on! In the meantime, check out nymag.com for awesome things to do in NY if you won't be in your house or at the stadium. Wherever you are, Ny Plumber and Sewer Rooter has your back.

Let us know which team your rooting for on our Facebook page and, of course, visit our website to save our emergency number for game day!

Winter Plumbing Q&A

Winter isn't over yet. It's important to learn about your plumbing system and how it is affected by frigid temperatures. Due to recent horror stories because of record low temperatures, NY Times records a Q&A with William B. Rose, a senior researcher at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

Here are some of the questions and answers provided to help give you a few more tips and tricks until we hit spring:

Q. So when it gets really cold I should turn on every faucet in the house?

A. You can be strategic about it. If the water is being fed from the center of the house and you’re not abandoning your home, those pipes are O.K. But if a pipe goes into your crawl space, or if it’s close to an outside wall or especially a vent, it’s a real good candidate for bursting in really cold weather.

So if you’re concerned about your pipes possibly bursting and you have a faucet with a gearshift lever, when you turn it on so it trickles, make sure it’s warm water so you’re getting both the hot and cold. If you run it overnight on a cold night and lose a quart of water, nobody will complain.

Q. The trickling-water idea is obviously for when I have good reason to think those pipes are in danger. If I insulate those pipes, I can breathe a little easier, right?

A. Yes, but a poor pipe insulation job is worse than no insulation. If you’re going to insulate, don’t leave blank spots, especially at elbows and T’s, where pipes can be more vulnerable to freezing. And make sure all the fittings are insulated as well. There are also thermostat-controlled heating cables you can buy at the hardware store.

Q. What if I forget one faucet in the house and I wake up and no water comes out of it when I turn it on, but the pipe hasn’t blown yet?

A. O.K., here’s an important thing. If that happens, it’s critical not to close the faucet. Ice has created a blockage and it’s still growing toward the fixture. If you shut the faucet, there’s nowhere for the pressure to go, and it can burst. If you leave it open, even slightly, you’re O.K.

For more questions and answers visit NY Plumber and Sewer Rooter or post your question on our Facebook Page. We provide emergency response to all of NY!

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.

Plumbing Tips for the Holidays!

The holidays are the perfect time for family, friends and the occasional plumbing issue! If your hosting a holiday party or Christmas dinners at your home, those extra guest put a serious strain on a home's plumbing system.

Big holiday meals for plenty of people usually require a busy kitchen. Too much grease can find its way into kitchen drains, eventually leading to the pipes being clogged. If you have several guests staying over the holidays, your shower drains might have an issue. With an overload of hair and soap, showers are quickly clogged.

Here's some tips to avoid plumbing issues over the Holiday Season.

In the Kitchen:

• Don't pour fats, oils or grease down the drains because these will eventually solidify and create clogs.
• If you have a garbage disposer, avoid putting hard-to-grind objects in for disposal.
• Run cold water down the disposer drain to clear the waste down.
• Run the dishwasher at night or at off times to conserve hot water for shower.

In the bathroom:

• Plan to spread out showers throughout the day. This will help conserve hot water and give the drains a chance to clear out.
• Turn up the water heater slightly to retain hot water.
• If shower pressure is weak,  pour a cup of vinegar into a plastic bag, place it over the shower head, and let it soak for 2-5 minutes. After, use a toothbrush or towel to scrub off mineral deposits to help restore water flow.

Avoid holiday congestion during the Holiday week, call us at (516) 874-7937 for more information or visit our website  http://www.nyplumbingandsewerrooter.com/.

Happy Holidays from everyone at New York Plumbing & Sewer Rooter!

Simple Tips to Make Your Bathroom Look Bigger

As plumbing professionals we see the designs to thousands of bathroom ideas. One of our most popular questions we do get is, "How do we make our bathroom look bigger than it is?"  Here's a simple guide to designing your bathroom to look bigger and brighter!

Mirror Your Mirrors
Using several mirrors is a great way to give the illusion of more space. When properly placed, mirrors will give a never-ending appearance.

Switch Out Bulky Cabinets for a Vanity
Large cabinets will take up too much room in a small space. Opt for a small super-chic vanity to give the bathroom that glamorous look.

Pedestal Sink
If a vanity is still too big, then think about using a pedestal sink. The Pedestal-style takes up the least amount of space of any sink on the market.

Add Wall Storage
If you don't have room for a closet or traditional storage, carve-out some additional storage in the walls to make recessed shelving.

Go with Glass
Ditch the traditional shower curtains and opt for glass shower doors. This gives a more open sense, instead of created a blocked off barrier.

We hope this tips helped inspire you! Stay tuned for more blogs! If you're in of the plumbing experts make sure to give us a call! For more information please visit our website http://www.nyplumbingandsewerrooter.com/.

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!

Prevent Drain Clogs

Nassau Plumbing & Sewer Rooter

30 Minute Emergency Service

 Call: 516-874-7937

http://www.nassaucountyplumbingandsewerrooter.com

 
Taking steps to prevent drain clogs from ever happening is much easier than dealing with the mess afterwards.  One of the best ways to prevent slow or clogged drains is to be careful about what you are putting into them.  Four of the worst things you can put down a drain are cooking grease, coffee grounds, hair and soap scum.  Here are some alternative methods to dispose of these things.

• Save cooking grease in an old coffee can or cardboard milk container, then dispose of it in the trash later. 
• Throw coffee grounds away in the garbage or add them to your garden.
• Use a screen or drain-grate on the drain's opening to minimize problems with hair and soap scum. 

After taking this preventative steps try:

• Running hot water through the sink after each use.  Hot water keeps oils in food products from sticking and building up on the surface of pipes. 
• Throw a handful of baking soda into the drain and follow it with hot water.  Baking soda is great for cleaning and absorbing odors.
• Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes followed by very hot water.  Vinegar's acetic properties act as an organic solvent in removing organic buildup in pipes.

For more drain cleaning ideas visit http://goo.gl/y9KXip
Or Call New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 516-874-7937 and visit us online at http://www.nassaucountyplumbingandsewerrooter.com/. 

How Stuff Works: Plumbing Basics

Plumbing often seems very basic, but that is only because we don't see behind the scenes.  What we see is the shower, sink or toilet but what we don't see is all of the piping behind the walls.  Plumbing follows the basic laws of nature- gravity, pressure and water seeking its own level.  Knowing these basics can help you take steps to avoid complications with your plumbing in the future. 

The plumbing system in your home will usually consist of two separate subsystems.  On will bring in freshwater, while the other takes out waste water.  The water coming into your home is under enough pressure to send it upstairs, around corners and wherever it needs to go.  As it comes into your home the water passes through a meter that will record the amount that you use.  The main water shutoff or stop valve is usually located near the meter.  In the event that you experience a plumbing emergency it is important that you quickly close the main shutoff valve, otherwise when a pipe bursts it will flood your house very quickly.  If an emergency is confined solely to the sink tub or toilet, you may not need to shut off your entire water supply, which is why most fixtures have their own individual stop valves.

For more information on the basics of plumbing please visit:  http://goo.gl/4b8HgM.

NY Plumbing provides fast and efficient 30 Minute Emergency service for any of your plumbing emergencies.  For more tips, advice and service discounts please Like our Facebook Page and Follow us on Twitter.