Why It Snows In Spring

Dear Long Island,

Did you wake up feeling weather confused? So did we! If you’re a New Yorker, you know very well that snowflakes can fall just as easily in spring as they can in winter - as soon as the weather warms up, it gets cold again.

Why does this happen? We’ve got the science behind it all:

Is global warming to blame? 
Some people believe that global warming is to blame, but the truth is that snow in spring isn’t new. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center, “Even with a warming planet, you're always going to have some places that are unusually cold for a day, or even a month, while at the same time other areas are unusually warm."

How does it occur? 
Snow in spring occurs when a blast of cold air hits an area. For example, a high pressure system in the west can push the jet stream north in that area. And when this occurs, the jet stream will dip south in the east, creating low pressure. Cold air from the north move through this trough and lasts for a few days. Afterwards, the jetstream ridge will stay over the east coast, carrying warm air with it.

Make no mistake, even in the spring, we are expected to experience a cold (and sometimes snowy day) here and there. That is why Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is here for all of your emergency plumbing needs, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even when you least expect a freezing cold spring day! Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services.

Fix a Leak Week 2016

As Fix a Leak Week comes to a close, we’d like to remind you about a few facts and tips about saving water and how to fix those aggravating plumbing leaks:

Facts
EPA WaterSense reminds us to be more mindful about the water we use in our country and how it affects our environment. For example, did you know that 1 trillion gallons of water are used nationwide on an annual basis? By being more mindful of our water use, we can help to preserve the water that helps our planet to thrive.

In fact, when we aren’t mindful, we could be wasting over 10,000 gallons of water each year in our homes, which is the amount of water it takes to wash 270 plus loads of laundry!

Tips
Being that it’s Fix a Leak Week, we’ve searched high and low to provide you with these plumbing leak hacks:

Check for a leaky for toilet
If you suspect you have a leaky toilet, drop food coloring in the tank and wait for 10 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, then you know you have a leak that needs repairing. Don’t forget to flush the food coloring away!

Check for a leaky sink
Check under your skin for water damage, whether it be visible moisture or finishes that “bubble”. Then, turn on the cold water in your sink and inspect for damaged pipes or puddling. Next, wipe down all the pipes connections, turn off the water, and call your local plumbing expert.  

Regardless of when and where a leak occurs in your home, Nassau County Plumbing & Sewer Rooter can be there to fix them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us today at 877.713.8136 or visit our website for more information.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Long Island

Tomorrow is the day we celebrate the luck o’ the Irish once again! Looking for a last-minute event on Long Island to show your Irish pride? Luckily, there are plenty of ways to celebrate:

Parades

Nothing says St. Patty’s Day like a festive parade! Here are a few marches happening this weekend:

Patchogue Parade - March 19th at 10am
Rockville Center Parade - March 19th at Noon
Glen Cove Parade - March 20th at 1:00pm
Montauk Parade - March 20th  at 11:30am

Parties

Get your drink on with these celebrations happening later in the day:

Parlay Gastropub Irish Day - Brunch, DJ, and drinks happen from 4pm until close on March 19th in Rockville Center.

Bangers and Mash Gigs - Craft beer and music lovers join together on March 19th in Riverhead, Patchogue, and East End at various times throughout the day for some “Celtic insanity”.

Fulton’s Gate - Visit this traditional Irish Pub this holiday for Irish step dancers and pipe bands. There will be beef stew and live music all night long!

St. Patrick’s Day 5K - Ready, set, run on March 19th at the Irish Times Pub in Holbrook for those who love exercise more than Shepherd’s pie and soda bread. Learn more by clicking here.

What are your plans for the holiday? If you’re out celebrating but aren’t having much luck with your home plumbing, give us a call at 516.874.7937.  We are available 24/7 for plumbing needs and offer a wide array of plumbing and drain services. Visit our website for more info.

Is Your Water Safe to Drink?

They say we can’t live without water. But what if your water is contaminated?

There are many indicators that show your water might not be the purest. Here are the top telling signs that you might have water contaminants and what to do about it:

Signs
Is your water orange or yellow in color? If so, you’re probably dealing with iron, which might have a bitter taste and stain your laundry. Sulfur is another sign that your water is unsafe. Does it smell like rotten eggs? This is most likely caused by bacteria and can weaken the immune system. A third sign? Foam. If your water is foamy or milky, it might be a sign of methane gas or dilute sewage - which means your water is dirty and chemically-filled.

Precautions
If you feel your water might be contaminated and unsafe to drink, here is how you can take action:

1. Ask your water company. They are required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to supply you with a Consumer Confidence Report to notify you of any contaminants.
2. Know about contaminants. Once you have your report, you can look up more information about contaminants and water testing in your area.
3. Test for yourself. The best way to know for sure if your water is safe to drink is to test it yourself. First, call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, which will connect you to a local water testing agency.

For all of your plumbing, draining, and health concerns, contact New York Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! 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.  

3 Simple Sink Repairs

Plumbing problems are something that we will all run into at one time or another. Fortunately, you don't need to be an expert plumber, nor do you need to call one, to solve a few of these issues. Here are some simple DIY sink repairs for the average homeowner.

Unclogging Your Sink

Whether it is due to hair in your bathroom sink or grease in your kitchen sink, you may experience a clog. Here's how to get rid of it:

• Fill the sink with just enough water to cover the plunger cap.
• If it is a double sink, stuff wet rags into the other drain.
• Set the plunger cap directly over the drain, and pump down vigorously for at least one minute.
• If this doesn't work, you may have to use a snake.

Using Drain Cleaner

If your sink is draining slowly, a chemical cleaner may help clear up some of the blockage. Don't use a drain cleaner on a sink that is completely clogged.

• Pour the recommended amount of drain cleaner into the drain.
• Never use a plunger after using a chemical drain cleaner – splashed chemicals can cause injury.
• If you don't have a chemical drain cleaner, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, followed by boiling water.

Opening a Trap

Sometimes, in order to clear a clog, you will have to open the trap. You can do this by:

• Placing a bucket under the trap.
• Cover the nuts of the trap in masking tape to prevent scratching.
• Remove the trap with your hands after loosening the nuts with a wrench.
• Pour water from the trap into the bucket.
• Clear out the blockage with a coat hanger, or pull it out with your hands.
• Reassemble the trap.

For more simple sink repairs, click here.

If you ever run into a plumbing problem that you can't fix by yourself, give the experts at Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter a call at 877-713-8136. We know that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, which is why we are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Avoiding a Plumbing Disaster

Leaving for vacation during this time of year is supposed to include one of few things - relaxation, tranquility, and an escape from the realities of life. But the one thing that can haunt you if not taken care of prior, is home maintenance. 

As winter draws to a close, your plumbing is something worth taking a look at before you board that flight. Here are some things you can do to ensure your pipes are in good standing to be left alone.

• Shut off the water. Shutting the water off is a great place to start. In a colder climate, you may experience a day or two of colder than normal temperature. By shutting the water off, you’re restricting flow of it into your home, lowering the chances of your pipes freezing. To perform this effectively, shut the inline water valve off, and begin draining things like your faucets and showers, beginning at the top floor and working your way down.

• Drain your water heater. Draining your water heater is a smart way to prevent a nightmare as well. If there’s an exit point nearby, attach a hose to the drain valve, and allow the water to run out. Hey, this could be a great time to do a little maintenance on your water heater too!

• Weatherproof your pipes. If you’re expecting a colder climate during your trip, you might want to consider weatherproofing the pipes and traps as well. Windshield washer fluid is a great addition to these traps because they have such a low freezing point-- and it’s a cheap solution!

Abiding by these rules will undoubtedly leave your house in great standing for your trip. You can sip drinks on the beach or hang out by the slot machines knowing your plumbing has effectively been prepped for a week of non-use!

For any and all of your plumbing maintenance and repairs, turn to Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! And remember - 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.  

Money Saving Tips for Your Kitchen

We know: your food and utility bill is killing your budget. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, chances are you wish there was a way to keep expenses down without sacrificing a beautiful, fully-stocked kitchen. Well, lucky for all of us, there are a few guidelines to consider:

Coupons. Nobody wants to be that person on the grocery line with an envelope full of coupons. But wouldn’t you want to be that person who just saved half the cost for a week or even a month’s worth of food? We’re not saying you need to be an extreme couponist, but saving whatever cut outs you can find will make a major difference in your monthly expenses.

Grow Your Own. Whether you have a full garden or a lemon tree sitting by your kitchen window, growing your own produce is an excellent way to save. Not only will you be saving on food costs, but like they say, there’s nothing better than a fresh home cooked meal (with fruits and vegetables from your garden)!

Go Green. Conserve water (and energy) in your kitchen by running your dishwasher only when it’s full. And don’t forget to unplug your small appliances, like the toaster and blender, when not in use. While you’ll be saving money on your utility bill, you will also be giving back to the environment, which is one of the greatest mood boosters of all (at least we think so).

Regular Maintenance. The more often you take care of your kitchen plumbing, the longer you can go without needing new and expensive replacements. So schedule regular maintenance with your local plumber every month or so. For such a small cost, you will wind up saving yourself for drastic plumbing problems in the future.

For any and all of your plumbing maintenance and repairs, turn to Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! And remember - 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.