How You Can Help Keep Water Clean

Water is essential to life on earth, and that does not solely mean human beings. This earth is all of ours to share, and keeping the water on it clean is everyone's responsibility. August is National Water Quality Month, so there is no better time to learn how you can contribute to a cleaner future for our water!  

Be mindful of outdoor surfaces. 

When a summer storm ends, the runoff heads towards the storm drains to be treated and recycled. On it's path, the water picks up all types of pollutants from hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete. If possible, you might want to switch your outdoor surfaces to paving stone or gravel.

Keep non-degradable products out of the toilet. 

Not only is it bad for your plumbing, but throwing things like wipes and tampon applicators down the toilet can really disrupt the sewage process. These items often wind up littering the environment or worse- they wind up hurting animals. 

Keep certain things out of your sink drain. 

Certain household cleaners don't belong in your sink. Chemical based cleaners might contain sodium hypochlorite, ammonia and formaldehyde. And in case you were wondering, you don't want any of those chemicals anywhere near your water.

Clean up after pets.

Not only is it courteous, but cleaning up after pets can also help maintain a cleaner water supply. Fecal matter and water simply don't mix, but far too often this winds up being the case. When it rains, your pets waste is washed from the street or the grass into storm drains. That very same water is then dumped into a water treatment plant to be recycled. Gross! 

Upgrade your plumbing. 

Old pipes are susceptible to rust and corrosion that can contaminate your water. Galvanized steel piping was the standard in many old homes, but you should consider upgrading to the much safer PVC piping. 

Improving the water quality on earth is going to take quite some time, but you have to start somewhere. If every person does their part, we can have safe drinking water for centuries to come. 

If you are interested in upgrading your plumbing to ensure cleaner water for your family, call the experts at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We can handle repairs, installations and just about anything else you throw at us. To schedule an appointment call 516-874-7937 or visit our website! 

The Most Effective Way to Clean Your Kitchen

You clean to cook, you cook and then you clean what you cooked.Is this how most of your nights in the kitchen are spent? All that cleaning might make you wonder if you are doing it right. In this instance, there really isn't a wrong way to do it, but like most things, there is a best way! 

Step 1: Clear It Out

The kitchen is not a place for debris like unread mail, toys and shoes. Before you really dig deep into your cleaning, make sure you clear the floor, counters and drawers of anything that doesn't belong. 

Step 2: Take Care of the Sink 

Take some dish soap and give it a few squirts into your empty sink. Once you are satisfied, fill the sink halfway with warm water and begin scrubbing the walls with a sponge. After the whole sink is coated, let the soap settle and do its job in removing grease and stains. 

Step 3: Dust the High Areas

Knock dirt and dust off of these neglected areas into a place where you can sweep them off later. Leaving these hard to reach areas alone will lead to a musty, allergy filled kitchen area. 

Step 4: Wipe the Stovetop 

Remove grill racks and set them aside in a safe place. Once your stove is clear, spray it down with some disinfectant and go to work. After you finish washing the dirtiest place in your kitchen- toss the rag, you won't be needing that again. Feel free to clean your grill racks too if they were the victim of some sauce overflow! 

Step 5: Wipe the Countertops 

This is the spot you really want to shine. If you have granite counters, the best course of action is to use a disinfectant wipe first. Begin by knocking all the crumbs to the ground and put some effort into scrubbing out those tough stains. Once this is complete, spray some granite cleaner onto your counters and wipe in a circular motion until they are sparkling. 

Step 6: Sweep

Put on your best Cinderella impression and sweep those floors! All of the dust and crumbs that you knocked onto the floor throughout the process aren't going to get up and walk away on their own. 

A clean kitchen means nothing if your plumbing isn't in working order. For more information on the extensive plumbing services that we offer, call the experts at Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We can be reached at 516-874-7937 or by visiting us on the web! 

What Can PVC Do For Me?

Polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC, is a type of piping that has become extremely popular over the years. Today, it is available at nearly any home improvement or hardware store, it is easy to install and it offers a cost-effective alternative to other more expensive types of plumbing. 

PVC Doesn’t Rust, Rot or Corrode

PVC became popular because of it’s ability to prevent frequent plumbing disasters. Up until the late 1970’s, galvanized steel and copper were the industry standard and they weren’t cutting it. These materials tend to rot and corrode over time and lead to unexpected leaks and flooding. Experts suggest replacing galvanized systems with PVC systems, if they are more than 20 years old.

PVC is Flexible

While copper tubing might be physically stronger, PVC’s flexibility makes it last longer. It is more resistant to vibrations, water hammering and everyday abuse.

PVC Lasts the Longest 

Even though PVC is the youngest of all the plumbing materials, it will outlast its competition by a substantial amount of time. The average lifespan of PVC is estimated to be around a century or more! Compared to copper (50 years), galvanized steel (40 years), and brass piping (60 years), PVC is off the charts. If you want long lasting reliability, PVC is the clear cut choice.  

If you are tired of coming home to constant plumbing problems, we think you know what has to be done. At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer, we can provide you with the pipe repair or installation services you need. Call us today at 516-874-7937!

Preventing Mold in Your Bathroom

The room in your home that is most closely associated with moisture is the bathroom. Unfortunately, this also leaves your bathroom as the room most closely associated with mold growth. Moisture is to mold, what wood is to fire -- a source of life that keeps it growing bigger and stronger. By eliminating the moisture in your bathroom, you are lowering the risk of mold growth and creating a safer environment for your family. Let’s take a look at some tips for keeping your bathroom mold free.

Squeegee Your Shower

The moisture that is left on your shower walls has to go somewhere eventually. Usually, it evaporates into the air and causes a more humid environment inside your bathroom. Removing this excess moisture after you shower can help remove 75% of the moisture that supports mold and mildew growth. A squeegee’s rubber edge is usually used to clean windows, but it can be equally effective in the shower.  

Stretch Out Your Curtain

Whether it is your shower or a friend’s (hopefully a friend’s), we have all seen the little spots on the inside of a shower curtain. These spots show early signs of mold growth but they can easily be avoided by stretching out your curtains after every shower. This will help break up moisture build up and stop mold before it starts!

Run Your Exhaust Fan

You have one for a reason, use it! You should run your exhaust fan for about 15 minutes after every shower to remove excess moisture from the air.

Seal Your Grout

The grout that seals your tile floors will not last forever. You should reseal your grout lines every year to ensure they remain waterproof.

Putting these tips to use can help reduce the risk of mold growth in your bathroom. Doing them just once is not enough. You should work them into your normal bathroom cleaning routine and continue to maintain a mold-free bathroom!

Looking for more information about maintaining a clean and healthy bathroom? Connect with Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter on Facebook and Twitter! Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit us on the web to learn more about our services.

The History of Plumbing

Plumbing is one of the most important technological discoveries in the history of mankind. We rely on plumbing for hydration, waste management, cleaning and much more. Without it, the world as we know it would not exist. It took thousands of years and hundreds of innovations to get plumbing to where it is today. From the primitive plumbing systems of the Indus River to the complexity we see today, let's take a deeper look into the wonderful history of plumbing:

1700 B.C
The Indus River civilizations created the first sewage system on record. They used underground tunnels, wooden spouts and a grid system that was far ahead of their time.

312 B.C 
The Romans invented the aqueduct system to carry fresh water into the capital city. At their peak, the aqueducts were carrying over 1 billion liters of water a day!

1596 
John Harrington, the godson of Queen Elizabeth, invents the first flushing toilet in England. The original toilet was called “The John,” and that nickname still stands today.

1854 
A cholera outbreak in England forces governments around the world to take sewage seriously. A year later, Chicago became the first American city to build a comprehensive sewer system.

1890
The world's first drinking water treatment systems are built in Massachusetts to reduce microbial contamination. The techniques they invented there are still in existence today!

1920
Tank toilets emerged on the market and reduced previous water consumption by 40%. The tank was made possible when William E. Sloan invented the flush-o-meter 10 years prior. The flush-o-meter used the pressure from the water supply system to help flush waste down the drain. Both of these inventions helped conserve as much as 200 million gallons of water a day.

1966
Due to a copper shortage, plastic piping was invented as an alternative. Today, we refer to this plastic piping as PVC pipe.

Present
The plumbing industry employs close to 500,000 people per year and grossed over $100 billion dollars in 2015.

Looking for more information about modern day plumbing? Connect with Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter on Facebook and Twitter! Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit us on the web to learn more about our services.

Storage Hacks for Your Small Kitchen

Wish you could get more use out of your tiny kitchen? Just because your kitchen is on the smaller side, doesn’t mean you’re as limited on space as you might think. With freezing temperatures hitting Long Island this weekend, here are a few hacks we recommend you give a go:

1. Create a spice and herb rack on the back of your cabinet door. That way, you have all your cooking supplies in one place (your pots in the cabinet and your spices hanging inside the door). 

2. Lacking countertop space? No problem! Mount a cutting board over the sink. Not only will this supply you with more cooking space, but it also means you don’t need to find an extra place to stow your cutting board away.

3. Let’s not forget about all those cleaning products you’re probably stuffing under your sink. Create a more functional space for them by hanging a tension rod underneath the sink and hanging your spray bottles on it so you have even more space below. 

4. Pots can take up a lot of room in your kitchen drawers. Instead, hang them from an overhead rack - the perfect way to show off your attractive set of cooking utensils and add style to your small space. 

5. One of the simplest ways to get organized in a cramped kitchen is to label everything. Label the inside of your cabinets and even create pretty displays for mason jars. Place them on your countertop or even in the pantry so you know what’s what without having to wiff anything.

Remember, if you run into any plumbing issues while taking on these projects, Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is just a phone call away! We are here for your emergency needs 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.