How to Prevent Winter Problems at Home

Winter brings many potential issues for your home - like freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls. So if you’re a homeowner, consider the following tips to protect your house and your family from some of the most common winter problems:

Clean your chimney. Almost nothing beats sitting around your fireplace with your family during those cold winter nights. From water damage during snowstorms to air pressure problems, there are several reasons why it’s important to clean your chimney. With that being said, be sure to schedule a chimney sweep and inspection sometime this month so that you’re in the clear and prepared for unexpected storms next season!

Cut tree limbs. Another way you can prevent troubles at home this winter is to protect your roof from severe damage. For example, when a blizzard hits and snow accumulates on the tree limbs in your yard, the last thing you want is for branches to come crashing down. To make sure your roof (and your home) is protected from tree damage, look for any limbs that pose a possible threat and have them removed.

Vacuum regularly. Winter often brings pesky insects, like ants. And nothing attracts them more than trails of crumbs. So take action now by making sure you vacuum and sweep your floors as much as possible - you’ll be glad you did when you hear a neighbor mention a similar issue!

Check for pipe insulation. One of the most common winter issues that can occur at home is frozen pipes. To prevent your pipes from freezing before, be sure that they are properly insulated. Ask your local plumber to check for holes and cracks, and install a foam-rubber pipe insulation to protect the pipes that are more exposed to the outdoors.

If you’re unsure about your pipe’s insulation or need plumbing upgrades, contact Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooting. We can have one of our trained professionals at your door in no time with all the right equipment to get your home ready for colder weather! Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

Preventative Plumbing Maintenance Puts Money in Your Pocket

Not a fan of those surprise plumbing problems and costly repair bills? They don't need to be a part of your annual costs! All you have to do is prevent them - with regular plumbing maintenance.

We understand that not ever plumbing incident can be avoided. However, with these few proactive practices, you can certainly minimize the risk.

Drainage: Without regular care for your drains you're allowing buildup to settle and making way for a major clog or backup. Water jetting services should be performed at least once a year to blast out unwanted sediment and keep water running freely. The plug should also be removed annually to free your fixtures of any obstructions.

Storm Drainage: Always clean underground and horizontal house drains at least twice a year. Gutters, specifically, can collect leaves and other debris - causing stoppages and other problems. If you have a portion of your piping system that always catches a great deal of debris, consider installing a basket strainer.

Water Systems: Always check your water systems for calcium or rust buildup. Calcium buildup in copper tubing can create slow water pressure in your faucets and showerhead. Rust buildup at the bottom of your gas or electric water heater may call for replacement.

Water Tanks and Pumps: It is required by the health and building code that gravity wood and steel roof tanks and suction tanks be cleaned once a year. A bypass should also be installed to maintain water supply in case of emergencies. Pumps should be checked and lubricated once annually. Make sure they are not turning on and off more than 5 times per hour.

Valves: While you can get away with checking up on other plumbing parts once annually, you'll want to inspect the valves periodically. Regular inspection will ensure that they are closing tightly and will not get locked in an open position. If they are not closing tightly you should replace them.

Need help with your annual maintenance routine? Call us at 516.874.7937. Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter has been serving residential and commercial customers for over 50 years! Visit our website for more information. 

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Beautify the Bathroom Before You Sell Your Home

While a full renovation to your bathroom before you sell isn't economical, there are simple updates you can make to present this important room in an ideal way. You might not have the bathroom of a 5-star hotel, but that doesn't mean you can't pull off a luxurious look.

Help your bathroom sell your home with these few tricks below:

Ditch the products. Not only will cosmetics and cleaning supplies take away from the experience your bathroom offers, it will also make buyers feel like they are in your personal space - not theirs. They want to be able to envision themselves enjoying this new space and clear, clean counters will allow them to make it their own.

Clean it up. We're talking squeaky clean. Though never fun, you want to prove to your buyers that your home has been well maintained and cared for.

Swap in the nice towels. This one little accessory can make all the difference in the way your bathroom appears. The nice fluffy hand towels make the room look cozy as opposed to the overused look your warn out and stained ones would reveal.

Stay neutral. When it comes to colors, you want to stay simple as to not detract any buyers that dislike a certain pallet. They may love the space but hate the color blue. By sticking with neutrals your eliminating one factor that can skew their impression.

Add flowers. Fresh flowers are a perfect accent piece for making the room come alive. It's a small burst of color with a homey feel that can quickly add elegance to your bathroom.

For plumbing maintenance needed before you sell your home, turn to NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We'll make sure your plumbing is in tip top shape so you have one less home project to worry about. 

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.

5 Common Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

Image Courtesy of Gualberto107/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Looking to add value to your home? Especially if your looking to sell your home in the near future, making the right, and most cost-efficient, upgrades is ideal.

There are many ways you can add value to your home. To make it simple, we've compiled a list of the 5 most common:

Let there be light! Dark homes are harder to sell, so if you know the structure of your home inhibits natural light, consider starting here. Since open rooms allow for better flow of natural light, try knocking down some walls, as well as adding in high ceilings.

Perform basic maintenance. A beautiful home means little if it doesn't function properly. Fixing all plumbing, heating and similar issues is crucial before anything else. Houses that sell quickly do so because little has to be done by the new homeowners to make it livable.

The outside matters. Including the front door! People want to feel like they are walking in to a home they could love, from the minute they see it. A simple paint job to the outside can make a home look fresh and new. Also, keep the backyard in mind. More and more homeowners are concerned with outdoor living space. Putting in a deck is an upgrade people can enjoy and it'll make a big difference in your backyards usability.

Paint the inside. The outside is never the only part of a home that can use fresh color. Painting the inside is one of the most affordable home enhancements you can do. Some argue neutral colors are the way to go because it avoids the distraction of your own style on potential homeowners. However, some say color is on the rise. In this case, do what you think is best for your situation.

Upgrade you kitchen and/or bathroom. This can range from basic upgrades to an overhaul. It depends on how much time and money you are willing to invest, as well as how much love these rooms really need. In both cases, ample storage space is a must. Adding features, like heated floors in the bathroom or extra burners in the kitchen is another easy way to make a quick difference in your home value.

For assistance in adding value to your home, call us at NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter.

Save Money on Kitchen Plumbing: 3 Tips

On your plumbing fixtures is never where homeowners want to throw their spare cash. However, without making the right decisions or taking the write steps, you can easily get tied up in extra spending on plumbing fixtures, specifically in the kitchen.

That's why we have included 3 quick tips, provided by Bath & Kitchen Showplace, to help you save money on kitchen plumbing fixtures when remodeling your home:

1. Go for Deals, Discounts and Coupons: Shop around for contractors and plumbing fixture stores that are offering special discounts and deals on their services and products. Discounts, deals and coupons are a great way to stretch your dollars not only when you are buying kitchen fixtures and services but also when you are doing your other general shopping.
2. Regular Maintenance: If you have your kitchen plumbing fixed and you take the care to regularly maintain it, it should go for an extended period without the need for new fixtures. You should schedule regular checks on your kitchen’s plumbing every month. This will help you notice and take care of the small problems like cracks and leaks. Fixing these minor problems early enough will save you from having to diagnose the problems when they are fully blown and costly.
3. Hire Plumbing Contractors Who are Experienced: Have you ever heard the saying, “Cheap is expensive?” If you hire a cheap plumber who offers substandard services, there is a very high probability that you will be needing the plumber a second and third time to fix problems on your kitchen plumbing. Some simple mathematics will tell you that in the long run, this is more expensive than hiring a costly but qualified plumber.

For a qualified plumber call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 212-235-1436. Like us on Facebook to stay up to date with plumbing tips and services.

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!

Wrap Up Your Home This Winter

The winter months are often a time when your pipes can start acting up or be at risk of damages. Since no one looks forward to frozen pipes or flooded carpets, we’ve provided you with 5 “stress-free” winter tips, courtesy of the Winter Wise Owl:

1. Keep your pipes toasty: Wrap up your pipes and water tanks with lagging. Pay extra attention to the pipes running along the outside of your property, as these are more likely to freeze when the mercury plummets. Also use waterproof lagging for outside pipes!

2. Find your stop tap: Your stop tap controls the flow of water into your home. It’s usually found under the kitchen sink, or sometimes in a cellar or garage. Know where it is so you can turn the water off quickly if your pipes freeze or there’s a burst. 


3. Keep the heating on: Keeping your central heating on low during a cold spell will prevent your pipes from freezing. Also, make sure the heating is still running when you’re away too!

4. Have the name of a plumber handy: Keep the name of a reliable plumber in a safe place, just in case you have a burst. Remember NY Plumber & Sewer is available 24/7!

5. Check with your neighbors: If you find yourself without water when it’s freezing cold outside, check out how your neighbors are doing. If they still have water, it could be that your pipes have frozen. NY Plumber & Sewer has an emergency number listed you can call!

Don't let pipe destruction ruin your winter! Be sure to take advantage of these preventative steps. 

Thanksgiving Causes 50% Surge in Plumbing Calls!

Thanksgiving isn't just for stuffing our belly but also clogging our drains! In a new report, Plumbing service calls increase on Thanksgiving Day by nearly 50% over the week. This backup has mostly to do with grease, leftovers and peels that go along with cooking large family meals.

Here's your top tips to keep things running smoothly:

• Never pour oil or fats down your drain, this will clog your drain line. Pour oil and fats into a jar or container then dispose properly.
• Try waiting 10 minutes in between showers and trips to the restroom.
• When in doubt, throw it out. Use garbage disposals less, throw most things in the trash.
• Keep water dripping in faucets that are prone to freezing.

 Avoid holiday congestion during the Christmas and New Years Holiday week, call us at (516) 874-7937 for more information on  maintenance and repair services.