Leaks and emergencies
Burst pipes, frozen pipes and water where it should not be. What to do before anything else.
Rockland County, New York
Plumbing tips for Rockland County homes.
What to do in the first five minutes, what you can safely fix yourself, and when it is time for a professional. Plus a quick way to find a licensed plumber near you, and check the license.
Topics
Drains and toilets
Slow sinks, blocked tubs and toilets that run all night. Most of these you can fix yourself.
Water heaters
How long they last, how to look after one, and the warning signs that it is about to fail.
Boilers and radiators
Hot water and steam heating is common in Rockland homes. A little routine care goes a long way.
Faucets and fixtures
Dripping faucets, weak showers and the small jobs that are well within reach of a careful beginner.
Seasonal care and hiring a plumber
A short checklist for each season, and how to choose and check a plumber when the job is beyond you.
How to use this site
Start with safety
Know where your main water shut-off is before you need it. If you smell gas, leave and call from outside.
Read the tip
Each guide says what is likely wrong, what you need, and how long it should take.
Know your limit
Every guide says plainly where a homeowner should stop and a licensed plumber should take over.
Find a professional
Use the Find a plumber page to search near your town, then check the license with the county.
Plumbing tips
· 3 min read
Getting outdoor faucets and sprinklers ready for winter
One frozen outdoor faucet can split a pipe inside the wall. A half hour in October prevents the most common winter plumbing repair in Rockland County.
· 3 min read
Why your toilet flushes weakly, and how to get the power back
A toilet that needs two flushes is rarely a blocked drain. Usually it is a low tank level, a clogged rim, or a flapper that closes too soon. All three are easy to fix.
· 2 min read
The water heater is leaking: where the water comes from, and whether it is the end
Water around the water heater has five common sources. Two are minor. One means the heater is finished. Here is how to tell which you have, and what to do about each.
Need a professional?
Some jobs are not for a weekend. Here is how to find a plumber near you in Rockland County and check the license before work starts.