Plumbing Tips for Pet Owners

Pets are a part of our family. You take them on vacations and cuddle on the couch after a long day of work. And because they show us such unconditional love, we should give back by putting their health and safety first.

Our furry friends are curious creatures and can get into trouble by toying with our home fixtures - especially plumbing. So on this National Love Your Pet Day, let’s take this time to create a safe and healthy environment in the home.

Close the lid. Your pets are notorious for getting into those hard-to-reach places, such as the toilet. Did you know that toilet water is hazardous to their health? That is why keeping the lid closed is so crucial - especially after cleaning with all those harsh chemicals.

Don’t flush the litter. That’s right - be very careful of what you flush. Cat litter is one of those things you don’t want to flush (especially if the label says so). Instead, dispose of the litter in the trash can. Rule of thumb is: if you’re unsure about flushing something, don’t flush it.

Keep drains closed. When you groom your pet in the bathtub, chances are they will shed. So use a drain stopper or strainer to prevent pet hair from clogging up your drain lines. Imagine the amount of fur your furry friend will shed on your furniture - more is likely to show up in the tub.

Keep your eyes out. Whether you prefer to wash your pet in the tub or in the kitchen sink, keep your eyes on them the entire time. Even if your dog knows how to swim, it’s possible that they can slip and injure themselves or swallow more water than was intended. So treat them the way you would for an infant.

At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, your home and family’s safety is our top priority. That is why we offer emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also offer several plumbing and drain services to those in Nassau County and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information.

#TipsTuesday | DIY Toilet Repairs

Your toilet is one of the most fundamental and used appliances in the home, so it’s important to understand how to quickly respond to something that goes wrong. Below are a few of the most common problems that homeowners encounter (and how to fix them):

Fixing a broken handle
A toilet that doesn’t flush can be a homeowner (or a guest’s) worst nightmare. The job of your toilet handle is to open the flapper and allow the tank water to release and flush out the contents on the bowl through means of pressure. If the handle breaks, the toilet won’t flush. To solve this issue, first check the chain - be sure it is connected to the arm inside your toilet’s lid. If the arm is broken, you will need to pull the chain to open the flapper to flush. When all else fails, you might need a handle replacement, which is simple for your local plumber to fix.

Stopping a toilet overflow
The other nightmare? Helplessly watching your toilet overflow. It might seem like reason to panic, but try to remain calm and follow this guide: first, turn off the water cutoff valve (behind the center of the toilet near the ground). This should instantly stop the water from refilling into the tank and into the bowl. If the water hasn’t yet overflowed but is slowly rising, reach for and lift the ballcock inside the tank, which should stop the valve from providing more water. This should give your bowl time to drain (and time for you to call a plumber, should the problem not fix itself).

Removing a dropped mobile device
Many of us have had that “uh-oh” moment where we’ve dropped our cell phone in the toilet. Now what? Don’t panic - quickly reach for the phone, remove the battery and pat dry with a towel. If you’re in a public restroom, using paper towels should do the trick. Once dry, place the phone and battery in a plastic bag with uncooked rice. Be sure to separate the phone and battery,  and let sit for the day. Be sure to separate the phone and battery. You phone should be fully functioning the next day.

Remember, for any of your emergency plumbing problems, Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is just a phone call away! Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services.  

Storage Hacks for Your Small Kitchen

Wish you could get more use out of your tiny kitchen? Just because your kitchen is on the smaller side, doesn’t mean you’re as limited on space as you might think. With freezing temperatures hitting Long Island this weekend, here are a few hacks we recommend you give a go:

1. Create a spice and herb rack on the back of your cabinet door. That way, you have all your cooking supplies in one place (your pots in the cabinet and your spices hanging inside the door). 

2. Lacking countertop space? No problem! Mount a cutting board over the sink. Not only will this supply you with more cooking space, but it also means you don’t need to find an extra place to stow your cutting board away.

3. Let’s not forget about all those cleaning products you’re probably stuffing under your sink. Create a more functional space for them by hanging a tension rod underneath the sink and hanging your spray bottles on it so you have even more space below. 

4. Pots can take up a lot of room in your kitchen drawers. Instead, hang them from an overhead rack - the perfect way to show off your attractive set of cooking utensils and add style to your small space. 

5. One of the simplest ways to get organized in a cramped kitchen is to label everything. Label the inside of your cabinets and even create pretty displays for mason jars. Place them on your countertop or even in the pantry so you know what’s what without having to wiff anything.

Remember, if you run into any plumbing issues while taking on these projects, 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.  

Draining Your Water Heater

Your water heater is one of the most fundamental parts of your household chores and hygiene. Why not do everything you can to boost its efficiency and life expectancy? To extend the lifespan of your water heater, the best thing you can do is drain it.

Why drain it?
Draining your water heater is a smart idea because sediment builds up overtime, causing it to lose its energy efficiency and clog the fixtures in your home. Upon draining your water heater, you might see that the water is clear and assume that clearing it is unnecessary. Not so fast! Removing sediment is a necessary step towards maintaining your water heater.

How do I drain it?
Draining your water heater is a four-step process:

Step 1: Check the water pressure-relief valve and make sure that the valve is functioning properly. First, switch off the power to the water heater (or switch to “pilot” mode if it burns gas). Second, listen for air and search for water. Notice either one? If so, chances are your valve isn’t working and you will need to move on to step 2.

Step 2: Run your drain line by attaching a garden hose from the water heater to the outside of your home. Give the water in the heater time to cool down after you shut it off. Bonus tip: taking a hot shower can speed up this process!

Step 3: Now it’s time to flush your tank. First, open all the hot water faucets in your house and open the water heater drain valve. Now it’s time to let it drain entirely, and then turn on the water supply. In the event that sediment slows down or obstructs the water flow, remove the drain valve so the sediment can exit through a larger opening. Used a long tool, such as a screwdriver, can help you remove the sediment. Keep buckets on hand to catch the flow.

Step 4. Once you see the water coming out of your tank appears clear, turn off the supply, and close the water heater drain valve as well as the cold water supply. Turn the water pressure-relief valve back to its normal position. Next, shut off all hot water faucets in the house and restore the power to your water heater.

Draining your water heater isn’t always an easy job, so turn to a professional plumber to complete the task properly and efficiently! At Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter, we are ready to help you with all of your water heater needs. And remember - we are available 24/7 for plumbing needs. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services.  

Green Cleaning Your Bathroom

Think about how often you use your bathroom. Now think about how often you clean it. Even if you do make it a habit to tidy up the bathroom, chances are you’re using harsh chemicals that are not only bad for your health but are also unsafe for your home.

Cleaning your bathroom should be quick and easy, but it should also be done in a safe and healthy manner. That is why we’ve compiled a list of ways you can clean up without toxins putting you in harm’s way:

Scrub the tub. Take one teaspoon of liquid soap and add a few drops of an antibacterial essential oil, like rosemary or eucalyptus. Mix that with one cup of baking soda and enough water to create a pasty texture. Use a sponge to scrub and rinse.

Make marble sparkle. Clean your beautiful marble countertops with a liquid soap, water, and a clean cloth. Avoid using sponges and harsh chemical cleaners that can ruin the surface. Wash as often as possible.

Fight mildew. The more efficient and eco-friendly way to keep mildew at bay is to turn on the exhaust fan during and after steaming up the bathroom. The exhaust fan should eliminate most of the moisture in your bathroom, helping to eliminate fungus.

Make an oily freshener. Need to freshen up a foul odor in your bathroom? Skip the Febreeze as well as other chemical-based fabric fresheners. Instead, add some of your favorite essential oils into spray bottles, add one cup of water, and spritz when needed.

To learn more about how you can green clean your bathroom, click here.

New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is available 24/7 for plumbing needs in the bathroom and around the house. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services.   

Are You Making These Plumbing Mistakes?

Whether you’re making home upgrades or cooking in the kitchen, there are many plumbing mistakes that can be overlooked. We might think that plumbing is invisible, but the matter of fact is that plumbing can be fragile if you’re not being careful enough. If any of these incidents sound familiar, you might want to make necessary changes:

Flushing Non-Flushables.
One of the most common mistakes that homeowners make is tossing inappropriate items down the toilet. When you flush non-flushable materials down the toilet, it starts to slow the efficiency of your plumbing, leading to more serious drain issues. This includes non-flushable wipes, sanitary napkins, and children's toys. 

Throwing Too Much Down the Drain.
Another common mishap that people make is throwing inappropriate items down the kitchen and bathroom drain. This goes for cooking oil, rice, and dairy products. Grease tends to stick to the insides of your sewer pipes, starchy rice turns into a thick paste that can cause easy clogging, and dairy products can harden and stick to your pipes as well. The best solution is to dump these foods into a plastic ziplock bag or the trash before rinsing in the sink.

Installing Fixtures Too Close Together.
Placing your toilet too close to the bathroom sink or the kitchen sink close to appliances are perfect examples of how installing fixtures too close together can be a big mistake. Be sure you provide enough space between fixtures and appliances means you might not be able to use both simultaneously or you won’t have enough room to make necessary repairs.

At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer, we know that accidents can happen even if you’re being careful. That is why we are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your plumbing and drain emergencies. Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information. 

Bathroom Child Safety Tips

January is National Bath Safety Month! Let’s remind ourselves how important it is to keep our children protected while scrubbing in the tub. Here are a few ways to keep it fun but also play it safe:

Prevent slipping.
Don’t forget, your children don’t have quite the same coordination as you do and can easily lose their balance. That is why it’s so crucial to help them prevent slips as best as possible. The first tip is to place a mat in the tub, as it’s easy to lose balance in the tub. The second tip is to also place a soft rug outside the tub so that they don’t slip on tile as well.

Use the right shampoo.
If you have a baby or a toddler at home, be sure to use tear free shampoo so that the chemicals don’t sting their eyes. And when rinsing, make sure they tip their head back and use your hand to cup over their eyes. 

Check the temperature.
Always test the temperature of your bath water before allowing your child to bathe. If the water is too hot, you increase the risk of scalding. So use your hand, a thermometer, or buy an anti-scald device that attaches to the faucet in your tub.

Stay in the room.
Be present when your child takes a bath and never leave their side, especially if under the age of 4. Accidents can easily happen if they slip or chew on a toy. If you must leave the room to answer the door, telephone, or for other emergency reason, take your child with you, shut off the water, and continue afterwards. 

If you find that the water in your tub isn’t draining properly or your faucet needs repairs, contact New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! We are available 24/7 for plumbing needs in the bathroom and all around the house. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services.