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.

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. 

Preparing your Plumbing Vents for the Winter

We had our first snowfall of the year today!  This reminds us to get our plumbing ready for the winter months.  Frozen pipes aren't the only plumbing issues during the winter.   The freezing weather can cause blockages in your plumbing vents, which will dramatically affect how your plumbing works.  Taking a few preventative steps will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

1. Keep vents clear of snow. 
2. Make sure you have proper venting. 
3. Make sure your vents are the correct size.
4. Do not ignore warning signs of problems. 

For more information and explanation on how to properly prep and take care of your plumbing vents please visit: http://goo.gl/2ziNlG.

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

Winterize Your Plumbing

The cold winter months can wreak havoc on the plumbing system in your home if you are not prepared for the drop in temperatures.  Frozen water in pipes can be a nuisance at best and a disaster at its worst.  It is important to make a checklist to winterize your plumbing.  New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter has made a checklist for you to use in you own home:

1. Fix Leaks: Even the smallest of leaks can cause big problems once the temperatures drop low enough.  As water freezes it expands which will make your small problem into a large one.
2. Insulate Pipes: Make sure that exposed pipes are well insulated.  Exposed pipes, if you have any, are usually located in your attic, crawl space, and garage.  Pipe wrap insulation is cheap and easy to install and can also save you on heating costs while protecting the pipe.
3. Pump House: Proper insulation of the pump house where your water comes from can keep pipes from freezing.
4. Outside Hose Bibs: Protecting the hose bibs and pipes from the cold is very important to your plumbing.  Remove any garden hoses that are connected to outdoor faucets.  Drain water from hoses before storing them. 
5. Sprinklers: Turn off the water to your sprinkler system and drain it before it can freeze.
6. Locate Water Main: Be sure to know exactly where your water main is in case of an emergency.  If a pipe bursts be sure to shut off the water main quickly to minimize damage.

For more instructions on this list please visit http://goo.gl/0LIn6y.
New York Plumbing will help you inspect your home to make sure it is completely ready for the winter months. Call us at 516-874-7937 and in the event of an Emergency please call 877-713-8136.