Looming Long Island Rail Road Strike

The possibility of a strike is growing larger and can occur as early as July 20th, just ten days from now. Union leaders and the MTA can not come to an agreement and Congress has no intention of intervening in the negotiations. After the MTA's offering of a 17% wage increase over 7 years, instead of 6, the debate still continues.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Adam E. Moreira

The Long Island Rail Road is one of the busiest commuter trains in the country carrying about 130 thousand riders daily. If a strike were to occur, what would this mean for Long Island commuters? Many still remember the repercussions of the strike in 1994 and MTA has still not announced an official contingency plan. However, in the event of a strike, they do suggest the following travel alternatives on their website:

1. Telecommute (Work from home).
2. Stay with friends and family in or near the City.
3. Discuss using vacation or flex time options with your employer.
4. Carpool with other commuters.
5. Use existing bus services provided by NICE, NYC Transit, and MTA Bus.
6. Plan your trip with the MTA's Trip Planner. 

Are you a Long Island Commuter that would be affected by a strike? Let us know your thoughts or how you plan to deal with it on our Facebook Page.

Tips for Keeping Cool Without Air Conditioning

According to the ACEEE, air conditioning accounts for almost 200 million tons of carbon emission annually. The best way to immediately save money and energy wasted on your cooling equipment is to reduce the need for air conditioning in your home.

Here are a few ways you can cool off your home this summer without air conditioning:

1. Keep sun from beaming through the windows - Whether you have to keep shades down during the day or put house plans in front of extra sunny windows, you want to avoid trapping the sun's heat in your home like a greenhouse.

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2. Keep windows closed during the day and open at night - On hot summer days, it is unlikely opening your windows will add any cool air to your home. Instead, keep them shut during the day and only open them at night if there is a cool evening breeze. However, be sure to close everything back up before the sun hits your home each morning.

3. Insulate - Improving insulation, specifically in the attic, prevents heat from entering your home. If you do need to have your air on from time to time, this will help trap and retain cool air in your home well after shutting it off.

4. Get rid of bad lighting - Incandescent light bulbs and other forms of modern lighting produce as much heat as they do light.  By keeping the lights off or replacing them with more efficient fixtures, you can save your home from a lot of unnecessary heat.

5. Use fans to create ventilation - Use ceiling fans and stand-alone fans to create a in-house breeze. However, fans don't actually lower the temperature of the room, they just create a more comfortable environment, so make sure you shut them off when you leave the room.

6. Keep your body cool - If you avoid allowing your body to heat up, then you won't need as much cooling down. Avoid using the stove during hot summer months and consume cold meals instead. Salad over soup and icy beverages over hot tea are simple choices that will keep your body temperature down. A nice swim in the pool or a cool shower never hurts either!

7. Plant a tree - planting a tree on the side of your house that gets the most sun will help to block heat from getting into your home. Obviously, this is not an option for everyone given the nature of your property, but is an efficient and natural option for those who can.

For other tips and tricks on home maintenance and energy savings, LIKE us on Facebook.

Tips for Safe Grilling this Summer

More grilling fires happen in July than any other month. Summer barbecues are a wonderful way to enjoy time with family and friends. However, given the damage a grilling fire can do to your yard and home, it is important to be aware of any and all grilling best practices.

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Since barbecues will be happening everywhere this Friday, July 4th, we want to leave you with some grilling safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.

Take these precautions in order to have yourself a successful and safe outdoor party. For emergencies, make sure you always keep a fire extinguisher near by as well. Call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter for any plumbing emergencies that arise this Independence Day.

July is Smart Irrigation Month: Use Water Wisely

Water use peaks in July. That is why the Irrigation Association is looking to get 100 supporters by July 7th in celebration of Smart Irrigation Month. Smart Irrigation Month is all about educating each other about efficient water use and encouraging smart irrigation practices and technologies in order to save water.

Find some tips about using water wisely below:

1. Schedule each individual zone in your irrigation system. Some spots get more sun than other. Instead of watering your entire lawn to compensate for this, just schedule that one section differently.

2. Make sure water is being used only where it's necessary. Be aware of where you are setting your sprinkler. If it's watering your driveway more than your plants, try adjusting it.

3. Water when the sun is low or down. Watering during the hottest parts of the day wastes water because of evaporation.

4. Water frequently, and in short intervals. A system of 3, 5-minute intervals makes for better water absorption than 15 minutes of watering at one time.

5. Adjust the watering schedule based on season. If you are not familiar with the settings on your irrigation system, consider installing a smart controller which makes these adjustments automatically.

At NY Plumbing & Sewer Rooter we understand the value of using water wisely. There are plenty of ways you can save water inside and outside of your home, including the installation of water-efficient plumbing fixtures. Call us today for assistance.

Read more at irrigation.org.

2014 Fourth of July Events on Long Island

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Once 4th of July hits, the summer always seems to fly by. Enjoy it while you can! This will be easy with all of the events happening this year.

We've compiled a list of some of our favorite. Plan ahead and enjoy your Independence Day with family and friends: 

Cheer on the Long Island Ducks, followed by a fireworks extravaganza!

Friday, July 4th: 7:05pm

Bethpage Ballpark

Price of tickets vary. 

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in NYC - can be viewed from lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn for the first time in years. You don't want to miss it!

Friday, July 4th: 9:00pm - 9:25pm

Along the Hudson River (Best viewing locations)

Free event.

Stars Over Montauk - if you're not from out east, take the drive! Why not? You have the whole weekend.

Friday July 4th: 9:00pm - 9:45pm

Best viewed from any town beach.

Free event.

Annual 4th of July Parade - sponsored by the Port Jefferson Fire Department.

Friday, July 4th: 10:00 am - 11:00am

Main Street, Port Jefferson

Free event. 

Bellmore Striders Independence Day 4 Mile Run - features a 4-mile run and a 1-mile youth run (ages 12 and under)

Friday, July 4th: 8:30am

Streets of Bellmore

$0 - $20 based on age.

Let us know if you are celebrating with any of these events or others on our Facebook page. As always, stay safe and enjoy! 

5 Common Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

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Looking to add value to your home? Especially if your looking to sell your home in the near future, making the right, and most cost-efficient, upgrades is ideal.

There are many ways you can add value to your home. To make it simple, we've compiled a list of the 5 most common:

Let there be light! Dark homes are harder to sell, so if you know the structure of your home inhibits natural light, consider starting here. Since open rooms allow for better flow of natural light, try knocking down some walls, as well as adding in high ceilings.

Perform basic maintenance. A beautiful home means little if it doesn't function properly. Fixing all plumbing, heating and similar issues is crucial before anything else. Houses that sell quickly do so because little has to be done by the new homeowners to make it livable.

The outside matters. Including the front door! People want to feel like they are walking in to a home they could love, from the minute they see it. A simple paint job to the outside can make a home look fresh and new. Also, keep the backyard in mind. More and more homeowners are concerned with outdoor living space. Putting in a deck is an upgrade people can enjoy and it'll make a big difference in your backyards usability.

Paint the inside. The outside is never the only part of a home that can use fresh color. Painting the inside is one of the most affordable home enhancements you can do. Some argue neutral colors are the way to go because it avoids the distraction of your own style on potential homeowners. However, some say color is on the rise. In this case, do what you think is best for your situation.

Upgrade you kitchen and/or bathroom. This can range from basic upgrades to an overhaul. It depends on how much time and money you are willing to invest, as well as how much love these rooms really need. In both cases, ample storage space is a must. Adding features, like heated floors in the bathroom or extra burners in the kitchen is another easy way to make a quick difference in your home value.

For assistance in adding value to your home, call us at NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter.

Why Your Faucet Water Looks Dirty

You head over to your kitchen sink to pour yourself a nice cold glass of clear water. To your surprise, the water is a slightly brown color, or maybe even just cloudy. Why is that?

Don't worry. Neither scenario is particularly dangerous to your health. However, you do have to give it a little time before you can pour yourself another cup. Here are the details:

Your faucet water is brown or rusty in color: This is likely due to materials which have been stirred up due to changes in your water's delivery system. If a nearby water main breaks or maintenance work is or has recently been performed, water traveling through will pick up some iron causing the color to change or look dirty. Any disturbance to pipes will cause similar issues.

Although there is no health risk, avoid drinking the water while it is like this. In the meantime, continue to run cold water through your faucet until it clears up. If it does not clear up after a half hour or so, call your plumber for assistance.

Your faucet water is cloudy or milky: This does not indicate dirty water at all. Instead, it is the reaction of trapped air bubbles being released when your faucet is opened. This cloudy or milky appearance generally only lasts for a few minutes. If you leave your glass to sit, the air bubbles will eventually rise allowing the water to clear. Specifically in colder months, pipes will fill up with more oxygen.

Again, this water is not harmful. However, if water does not begin to clear after standing, call a plumber.

For any other issues with your faucet or plumbing fixtures, call us at 718-514-7145. We have been New York's reliable plumber for over 50 years. 

photo credit: steve_lodefink via photopin cc