How to Increase Your Home’s Value

Putting your house on the market? Before you do, make sure you price it right! Getting the best price for your home is about making a list of what needs to be upgraded. Once you do, take this list and apply it:

Outdoors
First impressions are lasting impressions. That means even the most basic outdoor maintenance can be significant when it comes to selling. Start by mowing the lawn and trimming overgrown shrubs. Apply a fresh layer of grass if needed. Take a look at your driveway and siding to determine whether or not your home needs bigger upgrades too. 

Paint
One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to boost your home’s value is to re-paint. Whether it be old paint or bold colors, it’s best to go over that purple wall with a fresh coat of beige or any other neutral tone. This way, buyers can more easily envision themselves in the house.

Kitchen
Did you know that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to upgrade before selling? If your kitchen is looking outdated, it might be time for a re-do. Whether that means you need new fixtures, appliances, countertops, or cabinets, the more money you put into your kitchen the more return on investment you will likely see.

Bathroom
Old tub, rusty shower head, cracked tiles? Any of these elements can turn prospective buyers away. In fact, if you’re not selling right away, it might be because you need new bathroom upgrades. So reface your tub and buy new fixtures - you’ll be surprised what a difference it can make.

If you come across any plumbing issues while making these home upgrades, turn to the experts at Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We offer a wide variety of plumbing and drain services to get the fundamental components in your home in top shape! Call us today at 877.713.8136 or visit our website to learn more.

Get the Lowdown on Household Plumbing Leaks

With World Plumbing Day this Wednesday and Fix a Leak Week quickly approaching, let's take a moment to divulge into those ever so frustrating and always so sneaky plumbing leaks!

As a homeowner you probably know leaks waste water, money and (when it comes to fixing them) your time, but here's a few important things you might not know:

In the U.S. alone, plumbing leaks are responsible for over $6 billion worth of property damage each year! How much of that is your share of expenses?

Mold and damage to your home's foundation are two unfortunate side effects of undetected leaks. Make sure to check frequently to avoid this.

A portion of the cost to repair a leak is usually covered by homeowner's insurance. That means your paying less than $300 out of pocket to find and repair leaks as opposed to the thousands further damage could cost.

Exceptionally high water bills are a tell tale sign of a home water leak. Double check with your water company, but this may may be an indication that it's time to call a plumber.

Always have a house checked for leaks before purchasing it. The minute you sign the dotted line those leaks become your problem and can cause unexpected property damage you didn't think you were buying into.

At Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter we handle everything from leaky pipes to ceiling leaks and new toilet and sink installations. If you suspect there might be a costly leak in your home, give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

Smart Home Plumbing Tips for Your Extended Vaca

Are you as sick and tired of this cold and snowy winter as much as we are? If so, (and if you're lucky) you're probably packing up and heading out on a nice family (or friend) vacation!

Don't run so fast! To avoid coming home to a plumbing disaster that might make you feel worse than when you initially left, follow these smart tips before leaving your home on a week long vacation.

• Turn off the main water supply to prevent bursts
• Test the sump pump
• Set the thermostat at 55 degrees
• Winterize the drainage systems

You can turn off the main water supply, test the sump pump and turn down the thermostat in a matter of minutes. You may, however, need help from a professional for winterizing the drainage systems and this really only has to be done once a year.

If you are leaving for an extended period of time (say you spend the winter in Florida) you should complete the above steps, as well as unplugging all of your electronics.

If you're worried about leaving the house empty and dark, it's advised to set lights on a timer, as opposed to leaving them on for the entire time you're away. 

Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter offers all of the plumbing, sewer and drain services you need to keep your home up and running perfectly. Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information. 

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Tips for Choosing a New Boiler

If this winter is being harsh on your home, you are certainly not alone. You might even be shopping around for a new boiler to make your home and water a little warmer.

Since it has probably been awhile since your last purchase, we're sharing everything you need to know when it comes to choosing a new boiler that will work for you.

Know the size of your home. You want to choose a boiler that has the capacity to heat no less or no more than the size of your home. Be as accurate as possible in your measurements and, if you must, choose the slightly larger furnace if there is not one available that directly accommodates your square footage.

Check the efficiency rating. Since not all gas boilers burn the same amount of gas, you'll want to consider the efficiency rating. The higher the efficiency rating, the less gas it burns - meaning it can do more for your home with less.

Get more than 3 quotes on contract rates. You're going to need a professional to install your new boiler. You'll want to get more than three quotes to ensure you're getting the best prices. Knowing they are properly insured and have good reviews is also important.

Consider the warranty. A longer warranty is a better warranty because it means your getting more value in the parts you are purchasing. An 8-10 year limited manufacturers warranty is pretty typical.

Need your boiler repaired in Nassau County? We provide emergency services 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Call our emergency line at 877.713.8136 or visit our website for more information. 

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.  

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. 

Prep Your Yard for Winter

Is the yard your favorite part of your property? For many, that's the case - and winter weather puts up some fierce competition that your lawn alone can't face.

Play your part before the deep freeze sets in so you can expect your beloved lawn to spring back into action when sunnier days set in.

Keep on mowing. If the grass is green, keeping going. Giving up on mowing too soon will make for an unattractive appearance.

Rake it up. If certain spots on your lawn are buried under piles of leaves they won't be getting the love from the sun that they should be.

Deal with the decay. Remove decaying and dying branches from your trees and bushes to keep them nice and healthy.

Bring in the mulch. Fresh mulch is an important factor in protecting your plants from freezing temperatures. When the first of harsher weather hits, spread two to four inches of mulch around tree bases and plants without packing it down.

Spruce up your garden. Remove all excess annuals that are well past their lifetime while leaving their roots for enriching the soil. Next, pick apart all plant debris from beds and borders as to avoid the growth of mold and infestations, including left over weeds, etc.

You have your yard in check, we'll take care of the plumbing! Call us today for assistance winterizing your home and to make repairs to your heating system. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.