Save Money on Kitchen Plumbing: 3 Tips

On your plumbing fixtures is never where homeowners want to throw their spare cash. However, without making the right decisions or taking the write steps, you can easily get tied up in extra spending on plumbing fixtures, specifically in the kitchen.

That's why we have included 3 quick tips, provided by Bath & Kitchen Showplace, to help you save money on kitchen plumbing fixtures when remodeling your home:

1. Go for Deals, Discounts and Coupons: Shop around for contractors and plumbing fixture stores that are offering special discounts and deals on their services and products. Discounts, deals and coupons are a great way to stretch your dollars not only when you are buying kitchen fixtures and services but also when you are doing your other general shopping.
2. Regular Maintenance: If you have your kitchen plumbing fixed and you take the care to regularly maintain it, it should go for an extended period without the need for new fixtures. You should schedule regular checks on your kitchen’s plumbing every month. This will help you notice and take care of the small problems like cracks and leaks. Fixing these minor problems early enough will save you from having to diagnose the problems when they are fully blown and costly.
3. Hire Plumbing Contractors Who are Experienced: Have you ever heard the saying, “Cheap is expensive?” If you hire a cheap plumber who offers substandard services, there is a very high probability that you will be needing the plumber a second and third time to fix problems on your kitchen plumbing. Some simple mathematics will tell you that in the long run, this is more expensive than hiring a costly but qualified plumber.

For a qualified plumber call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 212-235-1436. Like us on Facebook to stay up to date with plumbing tips and services.

Easter Plumbing Tips: Keep Egg Shells Out of the Garbage Disposal

With Easter Sunday around the corner we know that many families are getting ready to gather around the table and color and decorate easter eggs. While this is a fun and exciting way to spend time together, remember that it is important to consider where the egg shells end up. 

According to Angie's List, "Contrary to popular belief, egg shells have no place in the garbage disposal. Some people claim that egg shells sharpen the blades of the unit, but this is not true. The shell's stringy membrane layer can wrap around the shredder ring, and the shell itself will be ground to a sand-like consistency capable of clogging pipes." Therefore, after peeling the shell and enjoying your hard boiled egg, make sure to throw the shell scraps out with the trash!

On the other hand, easter does have some plumbing benefits. Use the left over food coloring dye to check for a leaky toilet. Fill the tank with enough dye to make the water visibly that color. Wait and see if the toilet water fills up with this color. If this is the case, clean it immediately. You have a leak in your toilet that you want to get fixed!

For assistance with leaks or garbage disposals, call NY Plumber and Sewer at 212-235-1436. We offer 24-7 30-minute emergency service, so don't hesitate to call even if you've already sat down to celebrate.

Outdoor Plumbing Help: How to Replace an Outdoor Faucet

It's not too early to start prepping your home for warmer weather. Replacing faucets with newer models is a smart idea. Here's how in 4 basic steps as provided on Angie's List:

1. Shut off the water that feeds the spigot. You may need to shut off the house's main water supply valve, or there may be another valve closer to the outdoor line. Either way, test to make sure it's off by opening the outdoor spigot. As with a garden hose, it'll spill out some water before running dry.
2. Remove the old faucet by tightly grabbing the pipe below the faucet with a pair of adjustable pliers. Tighten the pipe wrench around the faucet and twist until it comes off.
3. Use a stiff brush to clean the pipe threads (this step is important!), then wrap the threading with plumber's tape to ensure a good seal. Install the new faucet, tightening by hand.
4. After the faucet has been tightened as much as possible by hand, wrap the new faucet with a towel to protect the finish and tighten fully using adjustable pliers.

Consider a freeze-proof spigot in colder climates! This has an extra long stem, keeping the water deep inside the house when closed.

For more advice on outdoor plumbing, or any other plumbing services call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 212-235-1436.

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!

11 Things You Should Never Put in Your Drain

Clogging up your drains can be easier than you think! We all have those moments where we watch some unwanted item slip in to our sink and think "That's alright, it won't be a big deal." The truth, however, is it may become a big deal sooner than later.

Homeowners spend more money unclogging their drains then necessary. Thanks to Huffington Post, we have a list of 11 items you should never put in your drain, to save you some frustration and money!

1. Fat
2. Grease and Oil
3. Orange Peels
4. Coffee Grinds
5. Eggshells
6. Tea Leaves
7. Semolina
8. Metamucil And Other Medications
9. Jello
10. Potato Peels
11. Rice

Make your life simpler and start breaking any bad habits today! Too late? Call New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to get your drains cleared.

Learn more on why these 11 items should never be found in your drain at huffingtonpost.com.

Service Spotlight: We fix leaks and all your other plumbing needs!

Fix a leak week is over but that doesn't mean it's too late to take action regarding your leaks! With beautiful spring weather on the way, fix these minor problems in your home now, so you don't have to worry about them when you want to be enjoying your home!

Here's a tip: Add a drop of food coloring to your toilet tank. If the color shows up in your bowl, you have a leak! Make sure to flush to avoid staining your toilet. It's that simple!

Leave any unnecessary stress behind you and check for leaks today. Call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to fix your leaks or handle any of your other plumbing needs. Our services include:

• Leaky Pipes
• Appliance Hook-ups
• Hot Water Heaters
• Frozen Pipes
• Ceiling Leaks
• Violations Removed
• Faucets New Installations
• Shower Bodies
• Toilets and Sinks Installed
• Any other Plumbing Needs

Let us know how our service was on our Facebook page! 

World Water Day 2014

World Water Day 2014 is this Saturday, March 22nd. This year the UN System's attention will be paid to identifying best practices that can make a water- and energy-efficient 'Green Industry' a reality. This years key messages include: 

1. Water requires energy and energy requires water.

2. Supplies are limited and demand is increasing.

3. Saving energy is saving water. Saving water is saving energy.

4. The “bottom billion” urgently needs access to both water and sanitation services, and electricity.

5. Improving water and energy efficiency is imperative as are coordinated, coherent and concerted policies.

Read more at unwater.org.