Long Island Plumbers | Nassau County Plumbers

While Mineola plumbers deal with water issues every day, many people these days are concerned with conserving water.  Many mineola plumbers install low flow toilets which use only about 1.5 gallons per flush.  But there are many other ways that homeowners can save water and help nature at the same time.

People often do not see that basic and simple conservation efforts can have when we are bombarded with negative information regularly.   Here are some basic changes in the activities around the kitchen sink can do.

Rather than running the tap when cleaning vegetables, use a bowl of water.   Then, use it to water outdoor plants. Reusing water from rinsing out the coffeepot for outdoor plants, the compost or lawn is something we do all the time. Rich in nitrogen as well as some trace minerals, coffeepots should be diluted with water before using.  Choose a different group of plants every day and you may find you no longer have to water or fertilize them very often at all.  Cooking water (pasta, steamed vegetables, boiled potatoes etc.) can be used in the same way – just let it cool first. All of these water sources contain extra nutrients that will aid your gardens immensely. Very hot cooking water can be used to kill weeds – simply pour it directly on the weed and around its roots.

After meals, scrape your dishes into the compost bucket before rinsing.  While rinsing, place other soiled dishes, jars and utensils underneath while you work; it will begin the presoaking process – reducing labor and water use. Anything caught in the sink basket can be contributed to the compost, too.

Here’s a nice tip from Mineola plumbers – Save about 5 gallons of water per washing by doing dishes in a few inches of hot soapy water. It may seem funny to do this – but by turning the hot water tap on to rinse the dishes into the sink the level will slowly increase and will maintain a hot temperature. This way, another sink full of water solely for rinsing is no longer necessary. We sometimes use rinse water to pre-soak stuck on dishes as well.

In the winter, the water from washing or soaking dishes should be left to cool. This way it releases its valuable heat into the home, rather than the sewer. Dishwashers, that are not built-in, allow reuse of the water for pre-rinsing heavily soiled dishes because they drain into the sink. The water can be trapped in the sink, or a soiled pot, where the heat is slowly released into the home, saving energy costs in the winter. Of course, the opposite applies in the summer, when extra heat is not desirable.

Very hot water is not always necessary for all washing and rinsing needs. Usually, by the time we are finished washing our hands, the water is just beginning to warm up – so really, all we have done is heat up our pipes. We can conserve water easily by turning off the tap while lathering hands. The running water is really only necessary for initial wetting, then rinsing – so running water in between is really a waste.

Now, if you measured the amount of water saved each day by those simple methods we just described – there would be dozens of gallons of pure, drinkable water left untouched in the reservoir. By reducing hot water consumption, our energy bills are a little bit smaller. All this, just from the kitchen sink!

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When Massapequa plumbers are called in to remodel bathrooms, a request they often receive is to install a whirlpool tub.  The installation by these Massapequa plumbers requires specific planning with weight and space requirements that need to be addressed before purchasing a new unit.  Learn more about these tubs and how you can get one in your own home on Long Island.

There are two type of hydro massage bathing systems most Massapequa plumbers deal with:
1. Whirlpools, more commonly known by the brand name Jacuzzi.
2. Airspas, more commonly known by the brand name Airbath.
Whirlpools are characterised by having jets on the side of the bath about half way up and a suction point (similar to a colander) in one of the bottom corners. This type of system produces hydro-massage by sucking water from the bath and pumping it out of the jets on the side under pressure. To increase the pressure of the jets most whirlpools have a control on the top of the bath which allows air to be sucked in to the jet of water.
The main difference  seen by Massapequa plumbers between a whirlpool and a Jacuzzi is that the size of the jets is bigger on the Jacuzzi and the air and water mix is different. This difference produces a more powerful jet of water with the Jacuzzi (whether this amount of power is necessary with a standard domestic sized bath is a matter of opinion).
The difficulty with all whirlpools is that they hold a small amount of water in the jets and pipe work when emptied. Depending on who fits the system this amount can vary between an egg cup full and several pints.
The second difficulty with some whirlpools is that not all baths are designed to have them fitted. This can result in the jets being sited very high up the sides of the bath, with the effect that when you lay in the bath the jets of water do not hit you but spray over the top of you and only agitate the top one inch of water. This will result in a longer bathing period required to achieve the hydro-massage effect.
Baths where the jet positions are moulded into the side allows the jets to sit lower and so intensify the massage. With this type of system it is not advisable that small children or older people are left unattended whilst in the bath.
The third difficulty with whirlpools of all types is that they do not have the ability to maintain the water temperature. The result of this is that the average length of time a bath stays warm is approximately 30 minutes. That is unless you add more hot water. Dependant on the type of whirlpool system you choose it may take between 10 minutes and 25 minutes to achieve the hydro-massage effect on the body.
Airspas are characterised by having a series of jets or holes fitted/drilled into the base of the bath. They produce air through the jets under pressure to fill the bath with bubbling water. This agitation of the water is what causes the hydro-massage effect. The difficulty of this type of system is that it has a tendency to cool the water in the bath. It is possible to with this type of system to have any level of water in the bath whilst the system is in use and so makes it ideal for children and older people. However due to the reduced pressure of the air jets over the whirlpool jets it can take longer to produce the hydro-massage effect. The Airbath system has a device called a Warm Air Injection which allows a small amount of hot water to heat the air stream as the air is pumped through the jets. The result of this is that Airbath claim that the system will maintain the bath water temperature. This then allows a person to stay in the bath for longer and so gain the full benefit of the hydro-massage.

One difficulty experienced by all massage baths to a greater or lesser extent is that of hygiene. There is a commonly held belief heard by Massapequa plumbers that this type of system is unhygienic.
This is both true and untrue! I will explain. All massage systems require cleaning from time to time. Because of the design some systems may need to be cleaned every 3 months. All good manufacturers will supply a cleaner designed for their type of system and advice on how to use it. The main problem is that people do not follow the cleaning regime and as such problems then ensue. The system is as hygienic as the user. You would never dream of not cleaning the toilet or basin so why assume that the massage bath has the ability to clean itself.

STEAM AND SAUNAS (Turkish and Swedish):

Turkish steam sauna’s and Swedish dry heat sauna’s are both types of hydro-massage system. The difference is in the way they achieve the effect.
Swedish dry saunas use dry air to heat the body to high temperatures causing you to perspire heavily. They are supplied in the form of a wooden box inside of which is sited an oven upon which sit hot coals. These coals produce more heat when a small amount of water is splashed on them and the humidity increases. As people we can stand quite high temperatures of dry heat but only relatively smaller amounts of heat in high humidity. The average temperature within a Swedish sauna can be over 100 degrees.
Turkish steam saunas produce steam in large amounts to cause the hydro-massage effect and, like the Swedish type, also make you perspire heavily. This is wet heat and as such achieves the desired effect at much lower temperatures. This can be as little as 40 degrees and is seldom higher than 50 degrees. The main difference between the two systems is that the steam system appears to be less of an irritant to the breathing and as such is better in general for those suffering from respiratory conditions where a moist atmosphere is beneficial. You may have experienced this as a child if, when suffering from a cold, you were told to put your head over a bowl of steaming water and than had a towel placed over you.

HYDRO-MASSAGE EFFECT:

The Hydro-massage effect has never been proved to be a scientific fact. This effect cannot make the blind see, the lame walk, cure aids or prevent cancer. It is claimed by many however to provide relief from the effects of many debilitating conditions.
The Hydro-massage effect is the action of the heat and or movement of the water on the body. The result of this is two fold. The first is that it causes the muscles around the arteries and heart to relax. This in turn allows the heart to pump more blood with each beat, without pumping any harder. The result of this is increased and improved circulation. Improved circulation is of benefit in many conditions. It reduces inflammation around the joint of those suffering from arthritis and rheumatism and allows for the removal of stress causing toxins from the blood stream by improving kidney function.
The second effect is that when fully relaxed the body produces its own chemical relaxants such as noradrenalin. These natural relaxants have none of the side effects of the manufactured kind and enable you to totally chill out.

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Many Levittown NY Plumbers are asked how to install fixtures, toilets and sinks but sometimes are also asked for references or help on decorating it.  While the Levittown NY plumbers do not usually do wallpapering or designs, they do have many contacts or services that can help a homeowner fully complete their dream bathroom with some work.

Often the bathroom completed by Levittown NY plumbers is one of the most overlooked rooms in the home when it comes to decorating. We tend to see it as a utilitarian space, even though we spend quite a lot of time here. (More, if you have teenagers!) Take an afternoon to turn your bath into a relaxing and soothing retreat for yourself and your guests, without spending a lot of cash.

1. Paint the whole room, including the ceiling a deep, rich color. Even though this is a small room, a deep color on the walls allows them to fade away, and at once makes the room cozy and seems more spacious.

2. Get rid of the extra junk and clutter! If you can’t get most of the makeup and shaving cream under the sink, (and who can?) pick up a few baskets from the dollar shop and corral them in. Make sure there is a hamper. If you are short on space, use the kind that hangs on the back of the door. A large drawstring bag would work for this also. (He might actually even use it…ok, it’s a dream.)

3. Dress up that large frameless mirror. Hang swags of fabric from cup hooks to hide and soften the edges of the mirror, and to give it a “frame”. Or actually use cut lengths of 1×4 lumber, and attach them to the wall over the edges of the mirror to simulate a real wood frame. You can paint or stain them as well to coordinate with your cabinets.

4. Speaking of cabinets, how about giving them a quick redo? Paint them black for a sophisticated look, or white with sponge painting for a country theme. Try any of the hot faux finishes. You can even paint the Formica counters. Just clean well and use a special primer first such as BIN or KILZ. Then seal with 4-6 coats of polyurethane after the paint dries. Should last for years!

5. Lastly, add some detail to the room. Sew fabric edging to your towels, add a shell for a soap dish, and stitch up a pretty shower curtain to cover that vinyl one. Hang some calendar pictures on the wall in dollar store frames…perhaps of a faraway place you can dream about as you soak away your cares? If you have natural light in the room from a window, add a plant or two.

Check out some Levittown NY plumbers to do the work in your dream bathroom and ask them for some tips to complete the decorating process.  You won’t be sorry!

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Ask some Lynbrook plumbers about low flow toilets and you will get varying opinions.  But ask the customers of Lynbrook plumbers and many might say they do not like their low flow toilets.  But why?  Read on….

Since 1992, the U.S. government mandated these low flow toilets.  These new units use about half as much water as the traditional old style toilets. The newer units use about one and a half gallons of water versus the older ones that use about three and a half.   But does half the amount of water equal half the efficiency when you go to flush the toilet.  Many say yes.

To be sure, technology is working to solve the problem but the issue remains: we are simply not getting the service out of our “thrones” like we once did.

Among the issues that Lynbrook plumbers come into contact with are that multiple flushes are needed to dispense of the same amount of waste, clogging problems, and additional maintenance. Also, they have been reported to overflow more easily.

Some of the above issues completely work against the issue of saving water. After all, if you have to flush 2 or more times, how does that save water. Beyond that, though, clogging and overflow problems result in potentially catastrophic expenses when flooring needs to be replaced due to an overflowing toilet.

A recent survey of new home builders and remodelers has shown that they, like homeowners, are frustrated with this new plumbing restriction. They have reported huge increases on service calls from unhappy customers.

Water saving techniques and technologies are certainly a good thing. And, one thing is for sure: they are here to stay. In fact, a home with low-flow toilets and low-flow shower heads can save thousands of gallons per year. And, who would not appreciate the savings in water bills? Let’s just hope that the Lynbrook plumbers installing these find better plumbing technology to increase efficiency.

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ONe question posed to LI Plumbers relate to bathroom fixtures.  It does not matter if you are a new Long Island home or remodeling one in Nassau or Suffolk County,  there are hundreds of plumbing fixtures and accessories to choose from.   All of the choices might be overwhelming, and you’ll want to make sure the items you choose are reliable, long-lasting as well as decorative.   Follow these simple tips to get some help relating to bathroom fixtures which your LI plumbers can install for you.

Fixtures for the bathroom should be practical and durable. They should be tough enough to withstand years of usage without wearing easily, rusting, or molding. Consider your entire décor including the colors of your floors and walls and the style used on other items in the room.

Choosing a Bathtub

When choosing a bathtub, there are four basic bathtub styles. The old-type enamel cast-iron bathtub with the China-glazing finish is popular with new constructions. It is extremely heavy and offers quietness while being filled with water. This tub usually comes as a basic five-foot tub with few styles to choose from. The average price is about $250.

Next, there’s the molded plastic bathtub, which resembles the cast-iron tubs but is usually thicker. This tub is more lightweight and great for remodeling – especially when tile is already on the floor. This type of bathtub can come in several styles and colors, including a full shower/tub combination with built-in walls. It ranges in price from $250 upward.

The enameled steel tub comes in white or a variety of colors and is finished with a ceramic-glazed material. This tub is priced at around $250. Next is the fiberglass tub, which can be installed on a platform or in the floor. It comes in different shapes and sizes. Some have spa features as well. This type of tub is high-priced, some even costing in the thousands of dollars.

Shower stalls come in several styles such as a pre-built shower base, fabricated shower stall, and the fiberglass enclosed shower stall. Pricing varies according to size, style, and brand name.

Choosing a Toilet for your Home

The toilet should be comfortable and practical. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but sometimes paying more means getting better quality. There are now toilets with higher gallons/flush capabilities – up to the government’s standard of 1.6 gallons per flush. If you want to save on your water bill, opt for an efficiency toilet that flushes 1.3 gallons per flush. There are also dual-flush toilets that offer two flush buttons – one for liquid waste removal and one for solid waste removal. The liquid waste button, of course, uses less water per flush.

Bathroom Sink Options

The bathroom sink is important and has many uses – from brushing your teeth to shaving to facial cleansings each night! A popular bathroom sink is the V-shaped vessel sink bowl, which is made of glass, copper or stainless steel. There are also bathroom vanities with the sink already built-in for easy installation. Types of sinks include pedestal sinks, which provide no storage underneath, under-counter sinks, and above-counter sinks.

Water Faucets and Other Bathroom Items

Choose durable faucets made of materials that are rust-free and provide an even flow of water. With small children, you’ll want to be sure the faucets have temperature settings built in to prevent scalding. For decor purposes, choose matching faucets for the bathtub and sink. Also, be sure the faucet will last for many years without dripping. Faucets come in many shapes and styles – some are plain and some are fancy. They are priced from $40. Some popular finishes for faucets include brass, brushed nickel, oiled bronze, and the popular chrome plate.

Accessorize your bathroom with other fixtures and accessories to complete your decor. You can go online to find great products in almost any style you need. Also, you can find other home accessories online such as ironing centers, door hardware, cabinet hardware, towel warmers, and more.

Choose your bathroom plumbing fixtures wisely for a pleasant and long-lasting bathroom.  Always have your LI plumbers check any installations you have done to ensure it is done properly and according to code.

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