Conserving Water in New York

Luckily we don’t experience many droughts in New York, but when it comes to conserving water - well that’s something everyone can benefit from.

In a state that is so populated, it’s easy to forget how much water we use - every single one of us. Little do people know that if we make minor changes to our daily lives, we can give back to our community and help our planet thrive. With Earth Day on the horizon, we wanted to put together a quick list of water conservation do’s and don'ts inside and outside the home:

Bathroom

• Do fill the bathtub halfway, instead of filling it up - you’ll save over 10 gallons of water
• Do take short showers and save 5 to 7 gallons per minute
• Don’t run the water while shaving or brushing your teeth
• Don’t use flush the toilet more than necessary

Kitchen

• Do run large loads of dishes in the machine and set to a short cycle
• Do install faucet aerators
• Don’t leave the water running while washing dishes or you can waste 3 gallons a minute
• Don’t defrost food by running under water

Outdoors

• Do use a self-closing nozzle on your hose
• Do set times for your sprinkler system
• Don’t overwater your plants
• Don’t water the driveway, but rather sweep them

Will you be more conscious of the water you use? We know we will! Let’s keep things eco-friendly this season! Contact NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter to get water and energy efficient plumbing fixtures installed. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more.

DIY Green Cleaning Products

The cleaning products you buy in the stores leave a horrible smell in your home, and it’s obvious why - they’re incredibly bad for your health! And with Earth Day around the corner, what a better time to swap out those old toxic chemicals for clean alternatives!

Using simple ingredients you probably already own, you can make eco-friendly cleaners that are not only better for tidying up the home, but also smell pleasant.

 Daily Shower Cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with half vinegar
Add several squirts of your favorite natural dish soap (about 2-3 tbsp. If you’re using a 32 oz. bottle)
Will the rest with warm water and shake gently to mix

Laundry Detergent
2 tbsp Borax Natural Laundry Booster
3 tbsp washing soap (such as Arm & Hammer)
2 tbsp Dawn Dish Soap
Pour all ingredients into a 1 gallon jug
Add 4 cups boiling water
Swirl until all ingredients have turned to liquid
Let liquid cool and fill almost to the top with cold water

Dishwashing Soap
1/2 cup liquid castile soap (unscented)
1/8 cup water
4 drops essential oil scent of choice
1 tsp homemade all-purpose citrus cleaner (or 1 tsp vinegar)
Mix together and store in an old dish bottle for recycling purposes

For more green cleaner recipes, click here.

For more assistance on green cleaning or installing energy efficient appliances in your home this spring, call NY Plumbing and Sewer Rooter at 718-514-7145! We can help you make a difference for your family and your community.

Easing Allergies at Home

The official start to allergy season is nearly upon us. For all allergy sufferers out there, we know you’ll be doing everything you can to escape the daily sniffles and sneezing. And antihistamine can only do so much.

It may surprise you, but your bathroom can be an even worse environment for your allergies than your backyard. With all those allergy-producing molds, it’s hard to avoid the daily itch. Good news is that you can take action to prevent allergies from getting worse. Here’s how:

Wipe down surfaces
Hot showers can create excess humidity, leading to more mold. So after every shower, make it a habit to wipe down every surface - wall tiles, countertops, and floors. Work your way from top to bottom using a mildew-fighting spray or bleach solution.

Filter the air
From pollen to dust, there are many allergy triggers that can accumulate in your bathroom. Fight them off with a HEPA filter, designed to trap harmful particles in your home and clear the air.

Upgrade wisely
If allergies are interfering with your lifestyle, you might want to consider remodeling your bathroom with allergy-friendly upgrades. For example, avoid textiles like rugs and carpeting and instead choose hardwood or tile - easy to wipe up.

Fix leaks
A leaky pipe can bring on mold and mildew problems in the bathroom, so make sure you keep up on plumbing maintenance. That way, you can prevent home damage and increase your level of comfort.

Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your plumbing problems, including leaks. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more about our services. 

Are You Making These Laundry Machine Mistakes?

Pretty soon you’ll be spending more time outdoors, and you know what that means - more laundry! From wasting too much water to using the wrong settings, here are some of the most common laundry mistakes you probably don’t realize you’re making:

Mistake No 1. Overloading the machine
You might be busy and pressed for time, but imagine how much money you can waste by ruining your clothes in the washing machine. Even the largest capacity machines have their limits, so if they’re too full, the water and detergent won't be able to reach everything. As a result, dirt will get trapped and your clothes will remain dirty.

Mistake No 2. Using too much detergent
It’s best to follow your detergent’s instructions before using. Using too little or too much can affect how clean your clothes will turn out. However, if you have a large load it is OK to use a bit more detergent. Bonus tip: If you have hard water, you might actually need more than you are using.

Mistake No 3. Forgetting to switch up machine settings
Keeping your machine on light load when you’re getting ready to fill it up or forgetting to switch from hot to cold is a common mistake that many of us innocently make. Before turning on the water, make sure you’re not using too much or too little and make sure you follow instructions on your clothes before finding the correct water temperature setting.

For example, most of your black tops probably need to be washed with cold water, and if you use too much water for a light load, you’ll be wasting water you don’t need.

Mistake No 4. Keeping shirts buttoned up
This might sound like a good idea in theory, but the truth is keeping your buttons closed can lead to “poppage”. So before you throw your shirts in the laundry, take a moment to unbutton your shirts.

Mistake No 5. Not leveling your machine
Say your machine isn’t leveled, vibrations can damage your floor and cause a terrible sound. Fix this issue by placing a level on top of your machine and adjusting the feet.

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.

How to Protect Your LI Home This Spring

April showers bring May flowers! Although winter is behind us and sunny days are ahead, doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet! For Long Island folks, spring can bring problems just as much as winter can. From plumbing to electrical complications, we've put together a few ways you can protect your LI home from the most common springtime issues:

Flooding
To say it rains often on Long Island would be an understatement. Some days, you wake up to a flash flood warning alert on your phone and head on the road only to run into road closures. But what’s worse is when these days affect your home. Especially if you live on a low part of the block or near the shoreline, home flooding can occur. To protect your home from such an event…

1. Buy flood coverage. Standard homeowners insurance typically won’t cover a basement under water, so know the different types of insurance and cover your property accordingly.
2. Choose a go-to plumber. Choose a plumber that offers 24/7 emergency services. Call them up and ask about their services - plug that number into your contacts for when a flood occurs. They can help drain your flooded home and even offer preventative solutions.

Power Outages
Though they haven’t happened yet, rest assured that thunderstorms are on their way! When lightning strikes, here is how to protect your home from possible power outages:

1. Purchase a generator. The best way to keep the power running (your fridge, lights, hot water, etc.).
2. Have backup batteries. Your flashlights from last season might run out of battery, so keeping an extra supply on hand for unexpected storms is necessary.
3. Store non-perishable meals. Beans, beets, soup, PB&J - you name it!

Sprinkler Issues
Now is a good time to check your outside sprinkler system, so you can have a luscious green lawn before summer arrives!

1. Check the outside hose valves. (Aka hose bibs). Make sure they are not broken from freezing temperatures.
2. Inspect all your valves. The valves on your sprinkler system might be damaged. If something looks out of the ordinary, call your local plumber.

At Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter, our professionals are trained and ready to help you with any and all of your spring plumbing needs. We offer several plumbing, sewer, and drain services, including basement flood clean out, yard drain repair, and leak repair. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your plumbing emergencies. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more.

Spring Plumbing Tips

You know that winters are cold and problematic, but you rarely see how badly they wreak havoc on your plumbing. From pipe bursts to clogged drains, there are many reasons why you will need to inspect your plumbing when spring rolls around. For every space in your home, there are certain situations to inspect:

Bathroom

• Install a fan - Spring means that humid summers are only a few months away. If you don’t have one already, install a fan to prevent humidity from getting trapped inside your bathroom and shower,

• Flush - After a long winter, check your toilets to see if they are flushing properly. If the handle must be held down for more than a few seconds, it’s possible you need a part replaced or repaired.

Kitchen

• Clean the garbage disposal - It’s probably been months since you’ve checked to see if your garbage disposal is working properly. Grind ice cubes and orange rinds for about 30 seconds in the disposer. Pour a small amount of liquid dish detergent into it while it’s running, and then rinse away debris with cold water for another 30 seconds.  

Yard

• Check your drains - Are your drains, gutters, and downspouts filled with debris? If so, hose them down and pull out any twigs and other debris. When April showers arrive, the last thing you want is for the water to not drain properly.

• Inspect for leaks - Check your outdoor valve for leaks. A leaky valve means your hose won’t be work properly. If you suspect a leak, call your expert plumber to clear it out.

If you ever run into a plumbing problem that you can't fix by yourself, contact the experts at Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter. We know that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, which is why we are here 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. 

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Take a deep breath, Long Island - the cold weather is finally past us. We bet many of you will be out and about enjoying the beautiful temperatures this weekend, which has us thinking: why not start prepping your home for summer?

Picture this: You step into your backyard for the first time in months. The snow has finally melted, the tree buds are starting to show. But all around, it looks disastrous - the grass is browning, your patio is covered in debris, the deck looks empty. And that’s when you make a mental note: time for spring maintenance!

As your rounding up your maintenance checklist, make sure to add these tips:

Trim your trees
By now, your shrubs have probably outgrown themselves. They might be blocking your view from the front window or hanging over  your neighbor’s property. Either way, you’ll need to call your gardeners or dust off your hedge trimmer if you have one. You can also prune them a few inches to allow them to regrow healthy and tall!

Powerwash the patio
Whether you have a deck or patio, don’t let debris get in your way. Clean the surface by powerwashing every crevice until the dirt is almost entirely gone. Then you can put your furniture back on display.

Check downspouts and pipes
Gutters, downspouts, and pipes can encounter many problems during the winter months. Between snow and ice, the aftermath of all that precipitation isn’t a pretty picture. The next time it rains, take notice: does water flow easily into the gutter and out the downspout? Are there any leaky faucets or sweaty pipes? Signs that indicate these exterior parts aren’t working as efficiently as they did last summer is an indication that you need to call a professional for repairs. 

Decorate
Now comes the fun part - aside from re-assembling your outdoor furniture, add decorative accents. This includes hanging outdoor lights, planting flowers, purchasing new waterproof pillows, and putting out those bird feeders once more!

What are your favorite ways to decorate for warmer weather? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter! And remember, if you run into any pipe or drainage problems while prepping your outdoor space for spring, call Nassau Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any and all of your plumbing emergencies. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website to learn more.