Tips to Drive Down your Water Bill

The sun is shining, the kids are almost out of school and summer has officially arrived! You should enjoy this time and not have to worry about how having the whole gang around is going to cost you. Here are some helpful tips to driving down your water bill this summer:

Invest in a Pool Cover 
A pool cover is a multifaceted money saver that every pool owner should own. It will help save thousands of gallons of water from disappearing from your pool every month! That water costs money and we don’t think you like seeing your money evaporate, do you? It also keeps your pool clean so you spend more time inside of it than you do scraping the perimeter.

Smart Water-ing
A healthy green lawn should not have to cost you green. Watering in the morning or at dusk can help save hundreds of gallons of water per week. If you have an automated sprinkler system, make sure the timer is set for these times of day.

Be efficient with your laundry
Being a kid at summer time is the best feeling in the world. But for mom and dad, playing outside and rolling around in the grass means more laundry. Contrary to popular belief grass stains don’t classify as grease stains so there is no need to wash them with hot water. Using cold or warm water can help drive down your energy costs with each and every load. Look for your washer machines load capacity in weight and then throw a load on a scale to see how much your machine can handle. Underloading is not going to make those clothes any cleaner.

Take cold showers 
Coming out of the hot sun and jumping in a nice cool shower is a refreshing surprise. The summer is a time when water bills go up, but we can compensate by dropping energy costs. A cold shower also tends to be shorter, resulting in less water use and lower costs for you. It also means you have more time for fun in the sun!

Looking for more interesting ways to save on your water and energy bills? Connect with Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter on Facebook and Twitter! Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit us on the web to learn more about our services.

No Dirty Dishes Day: Water Saving Tips

Today is No Dirty Dishes Day! It’s the day when we can set our daily chores aside. But let’s not forget how often we wash our dishes and what it means for water conservation.

Today, you have two options: you can either go with disposable plates, forks, and knives, or you can use your finest dishware. But before you do, there’s something you should know: dishwashers (although convenient, are one of the biggest water wasters in your home). When you clean up the mess tomorrow, keep these water saving tips in mind:

Run your washer at night

Did you know that your dishwasher is sometimes cheaper to use at night? In some areas, electricity becomes more expensive during peak hours, but overnight isn’t in that window.

Fix the stink

Don’t run your machine twice if your dishes come out with a funky smell. Instead, run a capful of vinegar on your dish.

Load it up

With the push of a button, dishwashers are the easiest appliances to use. But try not to take advantage by washing only a few dishes at a time. Instead, wash only full loads - or make sure you turn to the proper setting if you must wash a small load.

Wash by hand

Another option is to wash dishes by hand. But in order to not waste just as much (if not, more) water, close the drain, place a bucket in the sink, and fill it up. Recycle the soapy water until clean and let air dry or use a clean towel.

At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we’re dedicated to helping you save water and work efficiently around the house! Contact us to get water and energy efficient plumbing fixtures installed. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more.

Easy Ways to Start Saving Water Now

Water makes the world go round, but what happens when we take advantage of it? Saving water is easy when you put your mind to it, especially at home where we use it the most. Here are four small yet significant ways you can start conserving water now:

Take Baths
How long do you shower? Just imagine how much water gets wasted even for just 15 minutes? Switch up your showers once in awhile by taking baths instead. Once you fill the tub, you can stay in there as long as you’d like. Plus, it’s 10 times more relaxing!

Turn Off the Faucet
Whether you’re brushing your teeth, washing your face, or rinsing off dishes, save water by turning off the faucet while you’re not using it. There’s no need to keep it running - just use it for rinsing your brush and filling a glass of water.

Don’t Fill the Pot or Kettle
When making a pot of tea or boiling water for dinner, try not to use more water than you actually need. It’s easy to think about filling the kettle, but you know that water is only going to go to waste in the end.

Fill the Sink
When hand washing your dishes, fill the sink instead of letting the water run. This is sort of like taking baths instead of showers - you only need enough water for rinsing.

Think you’ll start being more mindful of the water you’re using in your home? We know we will! Let’s do our best to keep things environmentally friendly this spring! Contact NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to get water and energy efficient plumbing fixtures installed. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more.

National Park Week: Water Facts

It’s National Park Week! If there’s one thing we love about national parks, it’s the beauty of nature in its rawest state, like the glow of red rocks and the ebb and flow of rivers. National park services make a great attempt to protect and preserve our water sources. If you ever visit some of the world’s most magnificent parks, you’ll see what we mean:

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is home to the tallest waterfall in North America. Yosemite falls features a 2,425 foot drop with peak flow in May. Another popular spot in the park is Mirror Lake, which reflects glorious views of Half Dome and Mount Watkins during springtime, when the water level is at its highest.

Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most popular National Parks. It is also historically famous for the Colorado River, which cuts deeply into the canyon. For over 12,000 years, the river has been a significant source of water and of life for many Native American tribes. However, the Colorado River dates back to almost 2 billion years.

Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is a desert valley in Eastern California. It is known as the hottest and driest area in North America at an elevation of 82 feet below sea level. Anyone visiting the park is advised to bring ample water for drinking, as supply is low and the climate is dry. However, one source if water you will find is Ash Meadows - the discharge point for a groundwater system, which extends over 100 miles to the northeast. Ash Meadows has over 25 species of endemic plants and animals, including three endangered fish and a number of threatened plants.

Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a 47,000 acre Atlantic coast recreation area on Maine’s Mount desert Island. A fundamental part of this national park is Jordan Pond, the deepest lake in Acadia. Recreational activities include fishing, canoeing, swimming, and sailing. In recent years the park has developed a long-term monitoring program for freshwater resources and helps in monitoring threats to freshwater ecosystems.

Looking to go green and help protect the environment? Turn to Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to get water and energy efficient plumbing fixtures installed. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit us on the web to learn more.

Conserving Water in New York

Luckily we don’t experience many droughts in New York, but when it comes to conserving water - well that’s something everyone can benefit from.

In a state that is so populated, it’s easy to forget how much water we use - every single one of us. Little do people know that if we make minor changes to our daily lives, we can give back to our community and help our planet thrive. With Earth Day on the horizon, we wanted to put together a quick list of water conservation do’s and don'ts inside and outside the home:

Bathroom

• Do fill the bathtub halfway, instead of filling it up - you’ll save over 10 gallons of water
• Do take short showers and save 5 to 7 gallons per minute
• Don’t run the water while shaving or brushing your teeth
• Don’t use flush the toilet more than necessary

Kitchen

• Do run large loads of dishes in the machine and set to a short cycle
• Do install faucet aerators
• Don’t leave the water running while washing dishes or you can waste 3 gallons a minute
• Don’t defrost food by running under water

Outdoors

• Do use a self-closing nozzle on your hose
• Do set times for your sprinkler system
• Don’t overwater your plants
• Don’t water the driveway, but rather sweep them

Will you be more conscious of the water you use? We know we will! Let’s keep things eco-friendly this season! Contact NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to get water and energy efficient plumbing fixtures installed. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more.

5 Smart Ways to Recycle Water

It’s no secret that recycling water helps the environment. In fact, this issue is so big that more and more people are finding new ways to conserve. And you can jump on the bandwagon too! If saving water is something you’ve been meaning to do, then these five easy tips can help:

Collect rain water. One of the most efficient ways you can recycle water is to collect it in barrels outside. If you live in a rainy climate, like New York, you know you can expect it to rain sometime soon, so gather a couple of barrels (of different sizes) and place them in the yard. Wait for the rain to stop and use this water either in the home or outdoors.

Be kitchen-savvy. There are surprising ways that you can accidentally waste water in the kitchen. From cleaning dishes and vegetables to cooking meals, there’s a lot of water to be used. Instead of letting water flush down the sink, use it for your toilet bowl or for your garden. Either way, it will be better than letting it go to absolute waste!   

Wash by hand. Your washing machine can use up tons of unnecessary water. However, washing your clothes by hand uses a significantly less amount. Not to mention, it can also save you money on your next water bill! So if you have a small load of laundry and feel you might waste water if you throw it in the machine, consider hand-washing instead. 

Take baths. Studies show that 7 to 8 gallons of water is used for every five minutes in the shower, which comes to show that baths are the smarter option. However, if you do decide to use the shower, try to conserve by placing a bucket in the shower and collect water while you’re waiting for the steam to hit. 

Re-use water. For water that has been poured into cups and not used, or for those leftover sips in your water bottle, don’t let it go to waste! Instead, simply boil the water to kill germs and use it for feeding your houseplants or for laundry.

Do you have more recycling tips to share with your community? Share them with us on our Facebook page!

At New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, we are dedicated to helping you help the environment. We are also available for all of your plumbing emergencies and needs. Call us at 877.713.8136 or visit our website for more information.   

How to Conserve Water While Brushing Your Teeth

The first day of school is approaching fast, and pretty soon our children will be hustling and bustling to get ready and head out the door! When it’s time to wash up in the morning, you may not realize how much water your kids are using, especially when brushing their teeth. The good news is that there are several ways to conserve water while brushing your teeth. Here are a few:

Turn off the faucet. Turning off the tap water between wetting your toothbrush and rinsing your teeth is one of the easiest and most effective ways to conserve water when brushing your teeth. In fact, shutting off the water can save your family up to 10 gallons of water per day!

Use a cup. If you use your hands to rinse after brushing your teeth, you will end up wasting more water. Why? Because using your hands allows more tap water to run through your fingers. Using a cup instead will eliminate the amount of water you waste. Plus, you’ll have just enough to rinse your mouth with.

Limit the pressure. The more water pressure you use in your bathroom sink, the more water you waste. This is because more tap water is ejected from the faucet when you turn it on. So instead, reduce your home’s water pressure by using a self-installed pressure-reducing valve. Doing so can cut down your water pressure from 100 pounds per square inch to 50.

What other water conservation rules do you live by? Share them with us on our Facebook page!

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.  

Water Conservation Facts

Did you know it takes about 70 gallons of water to fill up your bathtub? There’s a number of facts about water conservation that you probably aren’t aware of. That is why we’ve put together the following top ten facts to consider before turning on the bathroom faucet or garden hose:

• Nearly 20 gallons of water goes down the toilet each day.

• Close to 22 percent of indoor water use comes from doing your laundry, but you can save by setting your machine to the appropriate load size.


• About 60 percent of a homeowners used water towards lawn and garden maintenance.

• In 1994, federally mandated low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets were installed in more homes than ever before.

• It takes 55 gallons of water to make a morning cup of coffee.

• Filling up a pool takes 22,000 gallons, and if you don’t cover it, water can evaporate.

• One serving of poultry, such as chicken or steak, will cost about 90 gallons of water to produce.

• When you wash your car, you use about 150 gallons of water.

• Hand washing dishes takes about 20 gallons of water, but dishwashers only use between 4 to 6 gallons.

For every minute you take off of your hot water usage, you can also save energy and keep more money in your wallet.

To learn more facts about water conservation, click here.

Will you think twice before turning on the water at home? We know we will! Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is your solution for all sewer and drain problems this summer. Give us a call at 516.974.7937 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.

3 Easy Ways to Conserve Water

Earth Month is underway! With warmer weather on the horizon, you’ll be tempted to spend more time outdoors - in the yard or the pool. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to keep things eco-friendly.

Did you know that nearly 9 billion gallons of water are devoted to outdoor water use? There are ways you can help! Below are 3 easy ways to conserve water:

Use a brush or broom. Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps instead of hosing them down. Keeping the outdoor hose running for long periods of time can cause unnecessary water waste.

Wash the car by hand. Lose the hose - you can save a lot of unnecessary water by using water from a bucket. Grab a sponge and you’re good to go. Alternatively you can go to a commercial car wash that recycles water.

Cover the pool. This will prevent water from evaporating when your pool is not in use.

Let’s keep things eco-friendly this season! Contact NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to get water and energy efficient plumbing fixtures installed. Call us today at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

5 Reminders that Water is our World

Whether you let the sink run while brushing your teeth, take a long hot bath instead of a 5-minute shower, or let a small toilet leak go unfixed, you might think to yourself "No big deal."

The truth, however, is that these small situations add up to major water loss and it's a resource that our world truly relies on. Below are 5 eye opening facts that remind us just how valuable water really is.

1. Approximately 400 billion gallons of water are used in the US each day
2. The average American home uses over 100,000 gallons each year
3. You can save up to four gallons of water each morning by turning off the tap when brushing your teeth
4. A bath uses more than double the amount of water required for a shower
5. About 750 million people lack access to a safe and clean source of drinking water

Will you think twice next time you run the faucet longer than you should? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page. 

Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter can provide leak detection and repair services across Long Island. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information. 

Source: Treehugger

World Plumbing Day 2015: 3 Reasons Plumbing is Important to Us

World Plumbing Day is less about celebrating our pipes, toilets and sinks, and more about celebrating the plumbing industry and how it's innovations have allowed our communities to grow and live out healthy and sustainable lives. Whether you have already upgraded to water-efficient plumbing fixtures or not, the technology is there and available - which is something to celebrate.

Water efficiency = energy savings. The connection between energy and water is often overlooked, yet such an important relationship to understand. The less water we use, the less water we need to heat, which enables us to save in multiple facets of our home living costs. 

Plumbing brings comfort into our lives. We often forget to be grateful for the lifestyle plumbing provides. Developing countries without access to clean water are missing one major system and that system is plumbing. From edible meals to soothing baths, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the luxuries we do without plumbing. 

It has extended our life expectancy. It's true - more than any other medical advancement, drinkable water has directly lead to longer lives. Without it, we would have increased exposure to deadly and life threatening diseases. 

What parts of plumbing are you thankful for this World Plumbing Day? Visit us on Facebook and let us know #WhyPlumbingMatters to you!

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. 

Energy Action Month: Ways to Save

Did you know that energy and water usage actually go hand in hand? When we rely on our water heater to deliver hot water to our shower, we're using energy just as much as we are water.

Since October is Energy Action Month, were sharing a few quick ways you can reduce energy use when it comes to your plumbing.

• Replace old shower heads with water-efficient ones 
• Install low-flow aerators on faucets which cut down on water use
• Ensure your water heater has an insulating blanket
• Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit

• Clean or replace filters in your furnace and heat pump
• Insulate your hot water pipes 
• Check for both air leaks and water leaks in your home 

Learn more about how others are saving energy and how you can too!

Take action and call New York Plumbing & Sewer Rooter for assistance today. We'll install your energy and water efficient fixtures and answer any questions you might have.

Connect with us on social media for updates on energy & water conservation, homeowner tips and more. LIKE us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter and add us to your circle on Google+.

Steps You Can Take to Save the Oceans

Earth Day may have passed but Earth Month isn't over yet. At NY Plumber and Sewer Rooting we understand the importance of water conservation and want to leave our community with tips on how to do the same.

Do you care about preserving the oceans for future generations? Here are some things you can do, courtesy of Oceana, to make a difference:

Reduce energy use by:

• riding a bike, walking or using public transportation
• using high efficiency appliances in your home
• turning off appliances when they are not in use
• turning up the thermostat a few degrees in the summer and down a few degrees in the winter
• using compact fluorescent light bulbs in your home

Use reusable plastic products such as:

• cloth grocery bags
• reusable water bottles

Properly dispose of hazardous materials:

• look into environmentally safe ways to dispose of various products
• think before you flush things down your drain

Need help installing energy efficient appliances in your home? Call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 718-514-7145! We can help you make a difference. 

Green Plumbing: Low-Efficiency Plumbing Ban Clears Colorado Senate

The Plumbing world is certainly looking at a huge change when it comes to choosing and installing appliances. Colorado is modeling the way as the senate mandates a phase-out of toilets, faucets and shower heads that use too much water. 

"Senators voted 19-16 in favor of a bill to prohibit the sale of low-efficiency plumbing fixtures by 2016." No one would have to replace their current plumbing fixtures, however, builders of new homes would be required to at least offer water-efficient indoor plumbing fixtures, even if homeowners choose otherwise. 

With the drought in mind, water conservation is a movement that is and should be supported by everyone. NY Plumber and Sewer Rooter is happy to install or replace any and all plumbing fixtures in your home. We are also interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter. Should this be a movement in other states? What about New York? Let us know what you think on our Facebook page. 

For more information visit cbslocal.com.