Outdoor Plumbing & Irrigation: Winterize It

Colder weather is coming! It is time to winterize your home - from the outside in.

Today, let's take a look at a few quick ways you can winterize your outdoor plumbing and irrigation system, as a way to avoid problems throughout the season and at the start of spring.

Replace Styrofoam insulated covers. All above ground plumbing fixtures are susceptible to freezing and should be properly insulated. Buy new covers if needed and ensure they fit just right for proper protection.

Ensure sprinkler settings are safe. For efficiency purposes, you want to avoid watering driveways and sidewalks all year round. In the winter, this is also important because you want to avoid coating pedestrian walkways with a layer of ice.

Adjust sprinkler timing. Plants still need to be watered in the winter, but less frequently. Reset your sprinkler's timer to something more appropriate.

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.

Simple Tips For Saving Water Outdoors

Summer time is just around the corner and every homeowner wants their lawn looking greener than ever. However, the amount of water homeowners use in the summer is two to four times as much water than they use the rest of the year.

It is important to know that there are ways to save water outdoors and still have a beautiful landscape. Get the tips from WaterSense here:

• Timing is everything: Know how much water your landscape actually needs before you set your sprinkler. Your local utility can offer recommendations for how much water certain plants need in your region and best times to water. Generally, it's best to water lawns and landscapes in the early morning and evening, after the sun goes down, because significant amounts of water can be lost due to evaporation during the heat of the day.
• Look for the label: If your system uses a clock timer, consider upgrading to a WaterSense labeled controller which acts like a thermostat for your lawn, using local weather data to determine when and how much to water, reducing waste and improving plant health. Replacing a standard clock timer with a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller can save an average home nearly 8,800 gallons of water annually.
• Go with a pro: Contractors certified through a WaterSense labeled program can audit, install, or maintain home irrigation systems to ensure water isn't wasted. Make sure you ask for credentials.
• Tune up your system: Inspect irrigation systems and check for leaks and broken or clogged sprinkler heads. Fix sprinkler heads that are broken or spraying on the sidewalk, street, or driveway.
• Play zone defense: When planting, assign areas of your landscape different hydrozones depending on sun/shade exposure, soil and plant types, and type of sprinklers, then adjust your irrigation system or watering schedule based on those zones' specific needs. This helps you avoid overwatering some areas or underwatering others.

For over 50 years New York Plumbing & Sewer Rooter has provided excellent plumbing, sewer and drain cleaning, as well as heating service, repairs and installation. For all of your outdoor and indoor plumbing needs this summer call us at 718-514-7145.