Winter Plumbing Q&A

Winter isn't over yet. It's important to learn about your plumbing system and how it is affected by frigid temperatures. Due to recent horror stories because of record low temperatures, NY Times records a Q&A with William B. Rose, a senior researcher at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

Here are some of the questions and answers provided to help give you a few more tips and tricks until we hit spring:

Q. So when it gets really cold I should turn on every faucet in the house?

A. You can be strategic about it. If the water is being fed from the center of the house and you’re not abandoning your home, those pipes are O.K. But if a pipe goes into your crawl space, or if it’s close to an outside wall or especially a vent, it’s a real good candidate for bursting in really cold weather.

So if you’re concerned about your pipes possibly bursting and you have a faucet with a gearshift lever, when you turn it on so it trickles, make sure it’s warm water so you’re getting both the hot and cold. If you run it overnight on a cold night and lose a quart of water, nobody will complain.

Q. The trickling-water idea is obviously for when I have good reason to think those pipes are in danger. If I insulate those pipes, I can breathe a little easier, right?

A. Yes, but a poor pipe insulation job is worse than no insulation. If you’re going to insulate, don’t leave blank spots, especially at elbows and T’s, where pipes can be more vulnerable to freezing. And make sure all the fittings are insulated as well. There are also thermostat-controlled heating cables you can buy at the hardware store.

Q. What if I forget one faucet in the house and I wake up and no water comes out of it when I turn it on, but the pipe hasn’t blown yet?

A. O.K., here’s an important thing. If that happens, it’s critical not to close the faucet. Ice has created a blockage and it’s still growing toward the fixture. If you shut the faucet, there’s nowhere for the pressure to go, and it can burst. If you leave it open, even slightly, you’re O.K.

For more questions and answers visit NY Plumber and Sewer Rooter or post your question on our Facebook Page. We provide emergency response to all of NY!

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.

New Year, New Bathroom: 2014 Top Trends

New Years are a great time for a new look, maybe starting with your bathroom? Given the amount of time spent in this single room, it’s easy to want to keep it up to date and looking good. Metro West Daily News has given us an insight in to the top bathroom trends for 2014. Check them out:

Tile, Tile, Everywhere! Showers are making a major comeback; especially open showers without a lip or "curb" between the shower and the bathroom. Showers without clear edges also feel less confining, while also making the bathroom more spacious.

Low-flow toilets. These toilets offer 2 great advantages for bathroom design. 1. They save water and 2. They tend to have a more modern less intrusive look: Exactly what you want from everyone's least mentionable bathroom fixture.

Standalone tubs. Especially soak tubs, are growing popular. These items were once for luxury homes only, but thanks to a range of options from different manufacturers, they're getting more affordable for everyone.

Bold colors. They are projected to be big, which is great news for those of you who aren't ready for a full-scale bathroom remodel, but who might want to update a few things.

Let us know what you think of these top trends on our Facebook Page. As always, for any plumbing emergencies in the bathroom, NY Plumber & Sewer is here to help!

Read more at metrodailynews.com.

Winter Safety Tips: When the Cold Gets Colder

Between the recent snowstorm and the frigid temperatures, “heating systems are running at full force and many people are resorting to other sources to keep their homes warm.” The Red Cross wants to keep people safe and avoid fire dangers. NY Plumber & Sewer wants to keep you informed as well, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the most important tips listed on The Daily News Online:

• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
• If you are using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away – things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
• If you are using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
• Use generators correctly. Never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage.
• Keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you could avoid a more costly repair job if your pipes freeze and burst.
• Avoid frozen pipes - run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage.

As always, NY Plumber & Sewer is available 24/7 for any emergencies you may face. If you have any other winter safety tips, lets us know on our Facebook Page.

Read more at thedailynewsonline.com.

Reminder: Get Your Drains Cleaned Annually

As we begin the New Year, NY Plumber & Sewer wants to remind you how important it is to get your drains professionally cleaned at least once annually! What better time to check this off your to do list than now? Getting your drains cleaned professionally at the beginning of each year is a simple way to avoid the problems clogged drains can create.

Again, our highly trained professional plumbers provide sewer and drain cleaning services as well as other plumbing services. We specialize in clogged sewer lines and clogged drains to residential and commercial customers. If you have any sewer or drain emergencies call us and we'll be there within 30 minutes, 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.

Keep your headaches to a minimum in 2014 and take care of this today! Call our office anytime at (718) 354-8013 or visit our website for more information.

NYE Celebration Ideas

Still looking for something to do this New Year’s Eve? We’ve compiled a list of some events on Long Island to help make the decision easier for you! Check out the variety of options below:

Perfecto Mund Latin Bistro

1141 Jericho Turnpike, Commack - 11725

Time: 09:30 PM - 12:30 AM

1st Seating beginning at 5 PM - $39 per person

2nd Seating beginning at 8:30 PM - $75 per person

The Crescent Beach Club

333 Bayville Avenue, Bayville - 11709

Time: 08:00 PM - 01:30 AM

$125.00 per person

Bowlmor Long Island

895 Walt Whitman Rd., Melville - 11747

Time: 08:30 PM - 01:00 AM

$50-$125, children 12 and under $26 (minimum 4 guests required) 

Chateau Briand Caterers

440 Old Country Road, Carle Place – 11514

Time: 08:30 PM - 03:00 AM

$150.00 per person

Children's Museum of the East End

376 Bridgehampton Turnpike, Bridgehampton – 11932

Time: 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM

$10.00 per person

Let us know how you plan on bringing in the New Year on our Facebook page!

Learn more at longisland.com.

Wrap Up Your Home This Winter

The winter months are often a time when your pipes can start acting up or be at risk of damages. Since no one looks forward to frozen pipes or flooded carpets, we’ve provided you with 5 “stress-free” winter tips, courtesy of the Winter Wise Owl:

1. Keep your pipes toasty: Wrap up your pipes and water tanks with lagging. Pay extra attention to the pipes running along the outside of your property, as these are more likely to freeze when the mercury plummets. Also use waterproof lagging for outside pipes!

2. Find your stop tap: Your stop tap controls the flow of water into your home. It’s usually found under the kitchen sink, or sometimes in a cellar or garage. Know where it is so you can turn the water off quickly if your pipes freeze or there’s a burst. 


3. Keep the heating on: Keeping your central heating on low during a cold spell will prevent your pipes from freezing. Also, make sure the heating is still running when you’re away too!

4. Have the name of a plumber handy: Keep the name of a reliable plumber in a safe place, just in case you have a burst. Remember NY Plumber & Sewer is available 24/7!

5. Check with your neighbors: If you find yourself without water when it’s freezing cold outside, check out how your neighbors are doing. If they still have water, it could be that your pipes have frozen. NY Plumber & Sewer has an emergency number listed you can call!

Don't let pipe destruction ruin your winter! Be sure to take advantage of these preventative steps.