Money Saving Tips for Your Kitchen

We know: your food and utility bill is killing your budget. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, chances are you wish there was a way to keep expenses down without sacrificing a beautiful, fully-stocked kitchen. Well, lucky for all of us, there are a few guidelines to consider:

Coupons. Nobody wants to be that person on the grocery line with an envelope full of coupons. But wouldn’t you want to be that person who just saved half the cost for a week or even a month’s worth of food? We’re not saying you need to be an extreme couponist, but saving whatever cut outs you can find will make a major difference in your monthly expenses.

Grow Your Own. Whether you have a full garden or a lemon tree sitting by your kitchen window, growing your own produce is an excellent way to save. Not only will you be saving on food costs, but like they say, there’s nothing better than a fresh home cooked meal (with fruits and vegetables from your garden)!

Go Green. Conserve water (and energy) in your kitchen by running your dishwasher only when it’s full. And don’t forget to unplug your small appliances, like the toaster and blender, when not in use. While you’ll be saving money on your utility bill, you will also be giving back to the environment, which is one of the greatest mood boosters of all (at least we think so).

Regular Maintenance. The more often you take care of your kitchen plumbing, the longer you can go without needing new and expensive replacements. So schedule regular maintenance with your local plumber every month or so. For such a small cost, you will wind up saving yourself for drastic plumbing problems in the future.

For any and all of your plumbing maintenance and repairs, turn to Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! And remember - 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.  

#TipsTuesday: Choosing the Best Kitchen Sink

Between washing the dishes and scrubbing your hands, your kitchen sink gets a lot of use on a daily basis. That being said, it’s important that you have the best kitchen sink for the job.

Not sure where where to start? Here are three questions to ask yourself before shopping for your new kitchen sink:

What are my options?
Most sinks are made from either stainless steel, enamel-coated cast iron, and composites. Depending on how often you use your sink and how it looks with the rest of your kitchen design, take a look at your options and choose a sink material that best suits your functional and aesthetic needs.

How many sinks do I need?
Do you need one sink or two? If you hand wash your dishes often, you might want to consider an equally sized double bowl sink, as this makes it easier to separate clean and dirty dishes. Single and different sized doubles are also an option if you don’t need a double function.  

Which is the best functioning sink?
Faucets come in all different shapes and sizes, and each one has a different function. For example, rectangular shaped bowls hold more volume than oval shaped ones, which means they’re capable of holding more dishes, etc. In addition, a rectangular bowl with rounded corners means it might also be easier to clean.

For more tips on how to choose the best sink for your kitchen, click here.

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

#TuesdayTips Make Your Small Kitchen Look Bigger

Don’t let your small kitchen limit your creativity. With just a few designing tips, you can get the large kitchen you’ve been dreaming of! A little paint, craftsmanship, and imagination can go a long way. Here are five ways to get the kitchen you’ve always wanted:

  
Paint it white. Go all white in a small kitchen. White paint reflects light, which bounces off all walls and creates an airy space. Make your space look seamlessly tall and wide by carrying white from your cabinets all the way to your ceiling.

Replace cabinet doors with glass. Create the illusion of a larger space by removing wood cabinets and adding glass doors. Your eye will move past cabinet frames and into the depths of your cabinets, so your walls will feel like they’ve been pushed back farther.

Let the light in. Natural light will enlarge any space. Even if you have small windows, you can maximize the amount of light that comes through. Keep window treatments to a minimum and opt for sheer curtains or a valance.

Carve out storage. Shelves that are carved into the wall will not only add more storage space, but will also make your kitchen appear larger. Use recessed shelves with a trimmed finish to match woodwork that is already in your kitchen.

Eliminate clutter. Crowded counter tops are sure to make your small kitchen look even more cramped. To enlarge the space, clear off counters and windowsills. Leave as much behind closed cabinets and pantries as you can.

For more tips on how to make your small kitchen look bigger, click here. And don’t forget, if you need help fixing a leaky pipe or clogged drain in your kitchen, Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter can detect and repair your plumbing issues. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

Save Water While Washing the Dishes

Today is No Dirty Dishes Day! Choose to eat meals out or use disposable paper plates, but if you must use your finest dishes, make sure you stay earth friendly while cleaning them. Keep in mind that a little effort can go a long way!

Here are five tips to help you save water while washing your dishes:

Scrape your plate. If you’re like most people, you probably place your dirty plate in the sink without wiping it off. Give water a break by clearing dirty dishes before you stack them in the sink! When your plate is covered with leftover food, go over to the trash and clean it off.

Pile the dishes. After you’ve scraped off your plates, pile them together in the sink. Instead of reaching for one plate at a time, keep your dishes close to prevent the sink water from running longer.

Fill your sink. Do you hand wash your dishes? If so, plug up the sink and fill it with warm, soapy water. When you don’t let the water run the entire time you clean, you can save 200-500 gallons per month!

Full loads only. Unless you have a big family or you’re hosting a party, there’s no need to load the dishwasher after each meal you eat. Conserve over 400 gallons of water each month by waiting until it’s completely full!

Read soap labels. Did you know most people use 10 to 15 times more soap than they actually need? Most soaps are very concentrated and if you use too much of it, you’ll need to rinse more than is necessary. Read the label on your dish soap to ensure you’re using just the right amount!

Looking for more earth friendly cleaning methods? Connecting with us on Facebook! And remember, if you need help fixing a leaky pipe or clogged drain, Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter can detect and repair your plumbing issues. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

Reduce Humidity in Your Home

Although we love the summer heat, we don’t necessarily love the discomfort of humidity that comes along with it; and as New Yorkers, we know this all too well. While we can’t necessarily avoid the humidity outside, we can work to reduce it inside. Below are some tips to get you started.

 1. Ventilate. If you have a vent fan, use it. Make sure to turn them on when you take a shower or cook a meal and leave them on a little longer. “It only takes between four and six pints of water to raise the humidity level inside of 1,000 square feet from a mere 15% to 60%.” So whether you’re boiling water or bathing, be sure to pay close attention to the amount of humidity you feel.

2. Take quick showers. If you can lower the water temperature, that will help too. Using a low flow shower head will help to reduce hot water, ultimately lowering levels of humidity in the bathroom.

3. Cover pots and pans. Stove top cooking can produce excess moisture, so try to cover your food with lids while cooking to keep the air drier. Slow cookers also contribute to less indoor humidity, so take advantage of that!

4. Turn on the AC. When it’s not dry enough outside to crack open a window, run the AC to ensure you’re getting a proper level of dry air coming into the house. Although it may be a pricey solution, it will cost you your health in the long run.

5. Use a dehumidifier. It’s exactly what it sounds like! Dehumidifiers are great for maintaining your humidity if it’s become a big issue or if you live in an older home. Bathrooms without windows can especially benefit from them. To make sure the air is circulating properly, place away from walls and furniture.

Keep humidity out! Not only is it bad for your health, but it can also cause plumbing issues. When humidity in warmer air collects on cold surfaces like your pipes, you get condensation - not a good condition for your home. But don’t worry! If you run across any plumbing troubles, we’re here to help.

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.

7 Steps for a Quick Kitchen Clean Up

Love a good meal but hate the mess that comes with cooking one? Lucky for you, Consumer Reports has some great advice. Here's just 7 simple steps to get clean quickly:

Choose a speedy dishwasher: The downside of more water- and energy-efficient machines is a cycle time that can approach 3 hours. Some models are quicker, such as the $700 Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR7[5]UC.

Skip the pre-rinsing : Most modern dishwashers don’t need it. You’ll save time, and you could reduce your household’s annual water consumption by up to 6,500 gallons.

Let all-purpose cleaners settle in: Manufacturers of those products often make “spray and wipe” claims. However, letting them sit for a few minutes results in better cleaning power, which could save you time in the long run.

Clean smoothtops quickly: Cleanup is easy with smoothtop cooktops. But food that contains sugar, such as tomato sauce, can bond with the glass if you let it cool. For routine care, use a cleaner made especially for smoothtops.

Consider a robotic vacuum: They can’t deliver the deep carpet cleaning of a regular vacuum, but they’re perfect for collecting cereal, crumbs, and other surface debris from the kitchen floor.

Clean as you go: Put ingredients away once you’re finished with them, or enlist someone else to do so, including a child who’s old enough. Keep a bowl on your work surface for food scraps. 

Time refrigerator cleanings: Wait until it’s almost empty, then push any remaining items to one side. Clean shelves with a sponge and a solution of dish detergent and warm water. Rotate the items and repeat until the entire refrigerator is clean.

Have any other secret tricks your willing to share? Let us know on our Facebook Page. For kitchen problems you can't solve, NY Plumber & Sewer has your back. 

For more information visit consumerreports.org.