What to Do During a Power Outage

When a blizzard hits, there’s a chance you can lose power in your home. And if you’re not prepared to take action, you can put your safety at risk. So as your Long Island plumbing experts, we’d like to provide you with a few tips on what to do during a power outage in winter:

Carry these items on hand

• Flashlight
• First-aid kit
• Candles and matches
• Battery-operated radio
• Supply of food and water

Be sure you also follow these tips

Layer up - Dress warmly in several layers if losing electric also means you lose your heat. The more layers, the more body heat you will generate.

Stay in one room - Move to one room in your home (preferably on the south side of your home where there’s more sunlight or a room where you have a fireplace). You’ll feel much safer and warmer, especially if there are few windows to create a draft.

Run the water - Run a stream of water in your bathrooms and kitchen to prevent pipes from freezing during the storm. But if you can insulate your pipes as a preventative measure, you won’t have to worry as much about the possibility of frozen pipes.

Talk to neighbors - Communicate with your neighbors about the electricity in their home. It’s possible they have a backup generator or did not lose power. The more you stay in touch, the better you are all able to help each other.

Remember, if you run into any plumbing issues this winter, Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is just a phone call away! 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. 

Winter Snowstorm Checklist

Although we’ve lucked out so far, it’s only a matter of time before Long Island will experience a snowfall or two this winter. Last month, we gave you some tips on how to prevent frozen pipes. Now we want to help you prepare for any snowstorms that might be on the horizon:

Keep a shovel on hand. If the temperatures drop below freezing, be prepared for snow by placing a shovel outside both the front and back door. That way, you don’t have to trudge through the snow to retrieve your shovel in the garage.

Prepare the salt. Be sure to also keep a bag of salt nearby so you can avoid slipping and sliding. If you don’t have one yet, now is your chance to take a quick trip to the grocery store as part of your snow preparation checklist. 

Keep generators dry. Because generators run on electric, it’s crucial to keep them dry. Provide it with a rainproof cover and keep it on the generator all winter long, as you might need it when you least expect it.

Check the furnace. Snowstorms oftentimes come with power outages, so prepare your home by making sure you’ve had a furnace tune-up. The last thing you want is to have a problem with your furnace, and therefore, your home heating, when a cold front creeps in.

Fill the tub. By filling your bathtub with water, you provide yourself with enough water for cooking and flushing, should the electricity run out.

Run the water. As always, prevent freezing pipes by turning on the faucet and letting the water slowly drip - especially if you expect that the temperatures could drop in the middle of the night when you’re sleeping.

For more tips on how to prepare for the next snowstorm, click here.

And don’t forget, if you need a helping hand with your plumbing this winter, turn to Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! We offer a wide array of heating services and plumbing repairs for frozen pipes, hot water heaters, and more! For all of your home’s needs this winter, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us at 877.713.8136 or visit our website for more information.    

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. 

Smart Snow Removal – Tips For Home and Business Owners

It’s safe to say it has been a snowy season in New York this winter. While we’ve given you some advice on how to protect your pipes in these freezing temperatures, we don’t want you to forget about the safety issues associated with managing the property outside of your home either.

Thanks to the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) in Milwaukee, we can provide you with 9 simple tips to help keep you safe this winter and make the snowstorms more manageable. Find them here:

1. Don't Wait – to prevent snow and ice from sticking to the sidewalk or street, clear the snow every few inches instead of waiting for the snow to stop falling.

2. Take time to stretch – shoveling snow is a workout. Stretch to help prevent injury and fatigue.

3. Push, don’t lift – push the snow to the side rather than trying to lift it to remove it. You exert less energy and place less stress on your back, legs and arms.

4. Drink water – take breaks. Drink water as if you were enduring a tough workout at the gym or running five miles.

5. Stay connected – have your cell phone on you so you can make a call in the event of an emergency.

6. Use the right material – salt may lose its effectiveness below 20 degrees. Consider using calcium chloride, magnesium chloride or other blended materials.

7. Store materials carefully – moisture can cause de-icers to lose effectiveness and clump or freeze. Store them in airtight containers in a garage on a high shelf away from young children and pets.

8. Watch your back – be careful about how much you try to carry at one time — especially when walking on ice and snow. Use a small container to carry the salt or invest in a spreader.

9. Beware of Icy places – areas ripe for melting and refreezing include Northern exposures, drainage areas, roof gutters, large piles of snow, overhangs, between parking spaces or buildings, or tree lined walkways.

Shoveling snow may be something you cannot avoid, but the potential injuries associated with shoveling can be! Make sure to review this checklist each time it snows to keep your winter season as hassle-free as possible.

Read more at silive.com.