Preventing 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' Plumbing Problems

"Out of Sight, out of mind" is more than just the lyrics to your favorite Kelly Clarkson song, it's also the reason for a good percentage of the plumbing problems in your home. Just because you don't see things like water leaks happening everyday, doesn't mean you shouldn't attend to them.

Did you know that home inspectors don't typically inspect for things like radon, lead paint and toxic mold? That means that even if you had your home inspected before purchasing it, there may still be some unwanted contaminants sneaking around. Hiring a specialist can confirm just how healthy, or not healthy your home is.

Next, your windows. Did you know that you should replace your windows every 25 years? If you have windows boarding up your home that are older than this, they're likely not doing a good job at keeping warm air in and cold air out. Installing newer, more efficient windows, can increase your home's comfort as well as its value.

A water heater that's more than 10 years old is probably just as inefficient as your windows. Since a new water heater is not that expensive, it's better to just replace it than continuously repair it.

Lastly, you can probably fill up a swimming pool with the amount of water leaking from your pipes. Though you can't see it happening, hiring a plumber to patch up some of these leaks will conserve a lot of water and help you save on your water bill.

Learn more about silent threats that are present in your home on Home Advisor »

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. 

Preventative Plumbing Maintenance Puts Money in Your Pocket

Not a fan of those surprise plumbing problems and costly repair bills? They don't need to be a part of your annual costs! All you have to do is prevent them - with regular plumbing maintenance.

We understand that not ever plumbing incident can be avoided. However, with these few proactive practices, you can certainly minimize the risk.

Drainage: Without regular care for your drains you're allowing buildup to settle and making way for a major clog or backup. Water jetting services should be performed at least once a year to blast out unwanted sediment and keep water running freely. The plug should also be removed annually to free your fixtures of any obstructions.

Storm Drainage: Always clean underground and horizontal house drains at least twice a year. Gutters, specifically, can collect leaves and other debris - causing stoppages and other problems. If you have a portion of your piping system that always catches a great deal of debris, consider installing a basket strainer.

Water Systems: Always check your water systems for calcium or rust buildup. Calcium buildup in copper tubing can create slow water pressure in your faucets and showerhead. Rust buildup at the bottom of your gas or electric water heater may call for replacement.

Water Tanks and Pumps: It is required by the health and building code that gravity wood and steel roof tanks and suction tanks be cleaned once a year. A bypass should also be installed to maintain water supply in case of emergencies. Pumps should be checked and lubricated once annually. Make sure they are not turning on and off more than 5 times per hour.

Valves: While you can get away with checking up on other plumbing parts once annually, you'll want to inspect the valves periodically. Regular inspection will ensure that they are closing tightly and will not get locked in an open position. If they are not closing tightly you should replace them.

Need help with your annual maintenance routine? Call us at 516.874.7937. Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter has been serving residential and commercial customers for over 50 years! Visit our website for more information. 

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How to Prevent Plumbing Problems While on Vacation

Deciding to go on a last minute vacation to get away from the cold this winter? We don't blame you! However, there are some things you might want to add to the to-do list to ensure you come back to a problem-free home. Red Beacon suggests considering these 8 things before flying off to paradise:

1. Turn Off Main Valve: With this valve turned off, water shouldn't be coming into your home. This means that any leaks or bursts shouldn't pour uncountable gallons of water into your home while you’re gone.
2. Check water lines: Look at all the water lines connecting appliances, sinks and toilets to make sure you don’t find leaks and cracks. If you find signs of problems, try to replace water lines before you leave.
3. Sump Pump: Use a bucket to pour water down the sump pit to make the water level higher. Watch to see what happens as the sump pump deals with the extra water. It should pump it out of the basement. If your sump pump doesn't get rid of the water, you have a potential problem on your hands. 
4. Exterior Faucets: Turn off the water supply to all outdoor faucets. Open the faucets after you turn off the water to make sure there’s no water remaining in the pipes that could expand and cause a crack.
5. Water Heater: Check the floor around your water heater to make sure you don’t see any evidence of leaks. Also, it’s a good idea to set the thermostat to a “vacation” setting so it won’t use energy to heat water while you’re gone.
6. Drains: Add a little water and a special drain maintenance product to every sink, shower and bathtub drain in your house. This will maintain a moist environment in the drains and stop undesired odors from starting.
7. Final Check: Check every appliance with a water supply  (washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher and hot water heater) to make sure these appliances are dry and there’s no corrosion on the water lines or connections.
8. Checking In: Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your house while you’re gone. Just walking around the house and looking carefully at the foundation will probably be enough to detect problems going on inside your house.

Now go on vacation with a piece of mind! For problems you find that need to be fixed fast, call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 212-235-1436.

Thanks Red Beacon!