Winter Plumbing Tips!

 

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

The winter weather bring on a variety of problems!  Freezing temperatures, snow and ice can can major issues on your plumbing system.  We've provides you will a list of precautionary steps that can be taken to prevent plumbing tragedies from occurring.

• Make sure the filters for your oil burner and furnace have been clean or replaced.
• Insulate all exposed pipes to prevent from freezing.
• Insulate other areas that may allow cold icy wind to blow on pipes.
• Remove and drain all hose bibs.
• It's best to use pipe wrap and heat tape in other areas prone to cold.
•  Install a pressure reducing valve if your home has 70 lbs. per square inch or more.
• It's best to replace your hot water heater after 10 years of use.
• Know where the main water valve is located within your home.  This is important for any future emergencies.
• Have a plumbers contact information available in case of an emergency.
• Install inexpensive water alarms next to pipes.
• Replace washing machines hoses

For more handy winter home trick and tips, please visit our Facebook page, LINKED HERE!

Health Concerns with Sewage in Sandy Aftermath

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

Two weeks after super storm Sandy hit, the damage still remains.  When the storm first hit the treatment pumps at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant stopped working when it got flooded,

The solution was to divert raw sewage into the Rockaway channel to avoid excess backups into homes.   The sewage has only been partially treated as it continues to pump into the channel.  The raw sewage that is going into the plant is being treated and chlorinated, but the secondary systems are still down.  It was estimated that over nine feet of water rushed ashore during Sandy and caused massive destruction.  Raw sewage gushed up from the streets and drains like fountains and it rose up into residents’ basements. 

The damaged caused by this partially treated sewage could have lasting effects on the environment. The Bay Park plant that is only partially operational normally treats over 550,000 home in Nassau County.  Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano says “the county has the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Army Corps of Engineers at the plant, actively creating temporary cleansing station while they rebuild the plant.”  Part of the restoration plan will include developing new ways to make the plant flood-proof.

The plant isn't back to its normal operating efficiency, and most likely won’t be for 6 month up to a full year.

Nassau Diverting Sewage

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

Sewage systems all over Long Island have been experiencing catastrophic failures caused by the recent super storm Sandy.  Particularly Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, which recently experienced massive failures causing sewage to be backed up into nearby homes.  This plant has increased its workload from the average 70 million gallons of influent it normally treats to 85 million gallons, in an attempt to relieve the faulty system.  Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano assures that workers have been successful in diverting this mess away from local residents.  But the plant is still experiencing significant problems, including two breached piping systems that are allowing sewage to spew out.  In addition a county vehicle collapsed into a sinkhole and is sinking onto one of the pipes in East Rockaway.  

The county issued a Public Health Emergency on Wednesday in response to the plant failure caused by the storm.  There is also an order to conserve drinking water that will remain in effect for at least the next few days.  Residents south of the Long Island Expressway, from the Queens Border to the Meadowbrook State Parkway, are included in the water conservation order with the exception of Cedarhurst and Lawrence.  The water in the area has been tested and determined safe to drink, the only areas impacted by the restrictions of contamination are in Long Beach and Mill Neck.  The massive failures at the Bay Park plant encouraged the county to initiate a three-part migration plan that includes up to 30 days of triage repairs and six to twelve months of comprehensive repair of the entire facility.  

All resources are being exhausted in the attempt to make these communities safe and return them to their normal states.  This process will take a lot of time and effort but it will be completed.  

Have you experience trouble with your sewage system since Hurricane Sandy? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

Sewer Systems Affected From Hurricane Sandy

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

In the aftermath of any hurricane, it is very common to experience difficulties with your sewage systems not functioning properly.  Some septic systems operate using a dosing pump, which will not work without electricity.  

The loss of electricity is one of the most common effects from a hurricane, so this could be a common problem.  You should avoid using water in your home as much as possible until the electric turns back on.  Without electricity and a properly working pump, the tanks may fill and cause backups of sewage into your home.  When this occurs your entire home can become saturated and become unsafe to occupy.  Heavy rainfall from hurricanes may result in flood waters that are contaminated with sewage.  

These overflows can take a significant amount of time to clean and can be dangerous to encounter.  Minor spills require immediate attention; regular garden lime from a garden shop can be a quick and easy remedy.  Major floods need to be handled by professionals and rescue crews.  In the event of major floods one should evacuate immediately until the area is cleared.  

Suffolk County Expanding Sewer System

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

Suffolk County Long Island could be taking more than 20 sewer districts by the Suffolk County Water Authority. The county is looking at ways to expand its sewer system to boost development, which will include a possible sale or a sale with the county’s water authority.

County Executive Steve Bellone, included the initiative in his $2/77 billion budget plan he presented on Friday, September 21^st for the fiscal year that starts on January 1. Bellone will be working closely with the Legislature on this issue and no sale or change in sewer will undergo without a full vetting and Legislative authorization.

This decision will affect Suffolk County and preservationists have argued against expanding the sewer system saying it will lead to over- development. 

For more information on the Suffolk County Sewer Expansion, CLICK HERE.

Septic Tanks Matter!

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

Out of sight is out of mind and septic tanks certainly fit the cliché. I mean who really wants to see or talk about them but it is in our best interest if we would now and then think about our septic tank.

A poorly maintained or not maintained septic tank will not only affect our health but also (if you look at the larger picture) the environment. Faulty septic tanks will redirect sewage and gas back up the pipes of your house and flush out dangerous chemicals in and out of your home.

A little commonsense, presence of mind and periodic maintenance will ensure that there are no dangerous leaks resulting in costly repairs. Foremost it would be wise to get the septic tank checked annually by a licensed company with trained personnel. My drains were working very slow and clogging up and instead of trying to get a licensed septic company to check the problem, I tried to do it myself. At the same time my toilet was not flushing either. This should have raised a red flag but I didn’t know better. The delay in getting the problem checked out cost me good!

So at the outset when these problems start cropping up, call a licensed professional. Also other indications that things are going south with the septic tank is when your yard smells like sulfuric acid with wet patches in places. A septic tank repair and maintenance technician at Dave Lange Sewer Service, Inc., informed me that one way to avoid costly septic problems is to make sure that trees with far reaching roots and/or swimming pools don’t are not situated near the septic tank. Good to know huh?

If you need to know more about your septic tanks or wish to find a company that has the requisite knowledge about the workings of a septic tank, you can check out our website! We are available 24/7 for all your septic tank emergencies! 

Did You Know Dave Lange Offers Vacuum Loader Services? Call us Today!

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

Did you know that Dave Lange Sewer Service offers industrial Vacuum Loader Services (Vactor Services)? There are plenty of ways Vactor Services can help you! Vactor Service is useful for cleaning out parking lot storm drains, hydro-excavating, lift stations at apartment complexes and roadside curb boxes!

Call Dave Lange Sewer Service and schedule your appointment today! We’ll be more than happy to serve you!