Cold Weather Plumbing Tips

• Be aware of which areas of your home (i.e. basement, crawl spaces, unheated rooms, etc.) are most vulnerable to freezing.


• Look for pipes that are not insulated and wrap them with pipe insulation available at hardware stores.


• If there is heat tape on exposed pipes, check to make sure it is still functional. Inspect the tape for cracks.


• Make everyone in the home aware of where the main water shut-off valve is. Check the main shut-off valve to make sure it is working properly.


• Turn off all outside faucets and drain the lines.


• Drain any hoses and air conditioner pipes and check for excess water pooled in equipment.


• Keep the water heater temperature around 120 degrees. Lowering temperature to 120 degress can reduce water costs by 6 to 10 percent.


• Turn off and drain your lawn sprinkler system.


• If you are going away from your home during an extended period of time in the winter, consider having a plumber drain your system. If your furnace stops working there won't be any water in your pipes to freeze.

Call us with any questions 1-800-MR RUSSO (1-800-677-8776) or with help winterizing your home.

Happy Holidays

Have a safe and happly holiday!

Your Friends,

Russo Bros. & Co.

1-800- MR RUSSO
1-800677-8776

Heating Maintenance Agreements

Call today to inquire about our customized heating and air conditioning maintenance agreements.



1-800 MR RUSSO
973-877-1334

How to winterize your outside faucets

In many homes there is a separate shutoff in the basement for the outside faucets. If this is the cases shut it off then go outside and turn on all the outside faucets to drain the water. Leave all the outside faucets on and go back and check the outside shutoff valve for a plug or cap on the valve. Turn this cap so that the water drains from the valve. Tighten the cap and turn off all the outside faucets.
Call or e-mail us to set an appointment for us to winterize your outside faucets.>>

1-800-MR RUSSO
1-800-677-8776

Thank you for your help

We would like to thank all of our clients, vendors, and employees for their support and dedication to our Plumbers in Pink promotion.

In October we raised $3,095 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Jersey.

Please check our website for future promotions and specials.>>

Plumbers in Pink is coming to an end..

This is the last week to see our Plumbers in Pink!
Check out our website for our pictures, commercial, and radio spot>>

Winter Season is Upon Us

It is time to fire up your heating system in preparation for the chilly winter months ahead.
Now is the time to tune up your system to make sure it is up and running properly before the cold winter days approach.

Check your mail for our heating tune up discount or e-mail us to join our mailing list to receive special offers.

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

To date Russo Bros. & Co. has raised over $1,600 with their Plumber's in Pink promotion!

Visit our website to learn more about what we are doing.
www.RussoBrosPlumbing.com

Have you ever seen a plumber in pink?

Check out our website to see what we are doing to support breast cancer awareness.

www.RussoBrosPlumbing.com

Plumbers in Pink

Only 3 days until Russo Bros. Plumber's in Pink Promotion!
check our website for details www.RussoBrosPlumbing.com .

1-800-MR-RUSSO
1-800-677-8776

Water Heater Flush!

Now is the time to flush your water heater.

Call today to schedule your appointment.
1-800-MR-RUSSO
1-800677-8776

Join our mailing list to be sent monthly email reminders.

Sprinkler Winterization

We are now booking appointments for sprinkler winertizations for October and November.
Please call today to schedule your sprinkler turn off.

1-800-MR-RUSSO
1-800-677--8776

Sprinkler Winterization

Soon the cool weather will be moving in and it will be time to winterize your sprinkler system.
Join our mailing list to receive reminders and updates.>>

Contact our office to schedule your sprinkler system winterization.
1-800-MR-RUSSO
1-800-677-8776

Flush Your Water Heater

During the winter months your water heater works extra hard.
It is always best to flush your water heater in the fall to remove all sediment from the system.

Check your mail for our water heater flush promotion going on this fall or email us to join our mailing list.

August is National Water Quality Month!

Does your home have hard water?
It's time to start thinking about installing a water purification system.
Click here to learn more about the water quality systems we install.>>

Air Conditioning Promotion

Russo Bros. & Co. is offering a discount on A/C service. Check your e-mail to find out more about this offer.

E-mail us to join our mailing list to receive our special promotions!



1-800-MR-RUSSO

1-800-677-8776

Quick Non-toxic fix for a slow drain

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain.
Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar down the drain.
Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes.
Add the mixture to 2 quarts of boiling water.
Check drain to see if problem is fixed.

Never too early to think about installing a new heating system

The government is giving rebates on the instatllation of new heating, air conditioning and water heaters for 2009.

Check to see if the system you are considering qualifies.

Look out for our special heating e-mail this month to receive discounts on the installation of a new heating system.

Call today to schedule your appointment!
1-800-MR-RUSSO
1-800-677-8776

BioSmart Drain Cleaner

Drain Maid featuring BioSmart is a natural drain and septic system treatment that, when applied regularly, keeps your drains running smoothly so you don’t have to worry about messy inconvenient, slow running or stopped-up drains and toilets.
BioSmart contains natural Biologicals (friendly bacteria) that naturally eat away at that gunky buildup in you pipes and drains. And these natural bacteria won’t harm your plumbing.

Call today to have Russo Bros. & Co. deliver BioSmart to your home! 1-800-MR-RUSSO
1-800-677-8776

Does your lawn sprinkler system have a rain sensor?

Rain sensors are extremely important during rainy summer days.
They can help prevent flooding in your yard and conserve water.

Call today to get a rain sensor installed for your system
1-800-MR-RUSSO
1-800-677-8776

Twitter

Russo Bros. & Co. is now on twitter!
Click here and follow us.

The Professor of Plumbing's Vacation Checklist

• Turn OFF all-water consuming appliances like humidifiers, washing machines, water softeners and water heaters.


• Turn the thermostats to the OFF position to conserve energy.


• Leave swimming pools and spas ON to maintain proper flow and filtration.


• Leave the underground lawn sprinkler turned ON for green grass.

Visit the Russo Bros. & Co. website to learn more about our services>>

Don't Forget!

It's time to schedule your Mid Summer Controller adjustment!
Don't forget this visit is included in your Service Agreement and can be schedule at your convenience.

Call our office today to schedule.
1-800-MR-RUSSO
1-800-677-8776

Don’t Let Lawn Maintenance Consume Your Summer

Although it’s been a rainy start to the summer season, that does not mean it’s going to last. In a few short weeks these recent rainy days will be a distant memory.
Get a head start on your lawn maintenance before the summer heat rolls in.

Russo Bros. & Co. has over 55 years of lawn sprinkler installation and service experience. Each technician that is sent to your home will assess your lawn sprinkler system, give you recommendations on settings, adjust your sprinkler heads and set your controller to your preference.
We understand how costly and time consuming lawn sprinkler systems can be, that is why we have created service agreements that are tailored to your system.
Our priority service agreements include:
- Turning on the system, setting the controller for efficient operation, cleaning all of the sprinkler heads and adjusting all zones for proper coverage.
- Midsummer visit to adjust the system for adequate coverage.
- Winterizing the system in the fall with an air compressor.
- Discount of 10% off standard rates on any parts needed to repair the system.

To find out more about our lawn sprinkler services, please visit our sprinkler page or call our office to speak to with one of our client service representatives.

1-800-MR-RUSSO

1-800-677-8776

A+ Rating!

Russo Bros. & Co. has an A+ Rating with Better Business Bureau and has been an accredited business since 2003.

Backflow Inspection

Did you know Russo Bros. & Co. is staffed with licensed backflow inspectors?
Call today to schedule a backflow inspection for your commercial building or
read more about our services .

Air Conditioning

Need to tune up your air conditioning system?
Visit our new Air Conditioning page at the Russo Bros. & Co. website.

Find out more about servicing your air conditioning system>>

Changing your Furnace Filter

Furnace filters remove dust and dirt from the air as it passes through your filter. Filters should be changed every three months to save energy and keep clean air circulating throughout your home.
Having dirty filters makes your furnace work harder and brings polluted air and toxins into your home. Long term problems include serious health risks to your family, a permanent breakdown of your furnace, or risk of a fire. Replacing your filters every three months reduces the risk of harm to your family and a future complication with your furnace unit.

Checklist for Homebuyers

Upon buying a new home approximately 44% of homebuyers do not inspect the plumbing system in the home. Within one year of purchasing the home they end up calling a plumber.
Checklist for homebuyers:
Bathroom
-Flush the toilet and check to see how fast the water goes down, and the pressure of the water.
-Press the tiles around the bathtub to check for loose or leaky tiles. If the area is soft there may be water damage.
-Stand over the toilet and rock back and forth, if the floor moves there may be rotting caused by past water damage.
-Check for spots or stains around the base of the toilet.
Water Heater
-Check for rust around the water heater tank.
-Check the date on the water heater. Water heaters over 15 years old, should be replaced. You can check the date by looking at the serial number. The first four numbers are the month and year.
Water Supply Piping
-Turn both the bath tub and faucet on at the same time. If there is a sufficient reduction in the water volume there may be calcium and mineral deposits, potentially meaning the pipes need to be replaced.
-Check over the exposed piping in the basement for stains or rusting.
-Be sure that the main line cleanout is accessible.

How a Water Softener works

A water softener is necessary when a home has “hard water”. Hard water contains an abundance of calcium or magnesium. This can cause two major problems. It can make “scale” form on the inside of the pipes. The calcium and magnesium permeate out of the water and stick to the pipes; this reduces the flow through the pipes causing the pipes to eventually clog. Another problem caused by scale is it reacts with soap to form a scum and reduces the soap’s ability to lather; this is turn makes showering less effective.

A water softener replaces the calcium and magnesium ions in the water with sodium ions. To replace the ions the water in the home runs through a chemical matrix or through a small bed of plastic beads. These beads are covered with sodium ions. The beads only contain calcium or magnesium and eventually stop softening the water.
Next regeneration takes places: the beads are soaked in a stream of sodium ions. The water softener creates a brine solution and flushes it through the beads. The brine replaces all of the calcium and magnesium that was built up with sodium. The leftover brine and all of them calcium and magnesium are flushed out through a drain pipe.

Read more about installing a water softener in your home>>

Quick Tips for Conserving Water in your Home:

• Check your home’s water pressure to make sure it is below 80 pounds per square inch. Anything above this number can be destructive to your home’s plumbing system and lead to an over usage of water.


• During a time when you are not using any water check your water meter. Re-check the meter reading again after eight hours. If the meter is different it may mean there is a water leak that needs to be fixed.


• Over 40 percent of your home’s water usage is due to flushing your toilets. By installing a new flapper and fill valve it will help your toilets run more efficiently.


• A new showerhead can help you save up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute while showering and will not effect your water pressure.


• Repairing all your leaky faucets can save up to 150 gallons worth of wasted water each day, and 4,500 gallons per month.
  

For information about water quality in your home visit our website>>

Toilet Tragedies

When a toilet in your home backs up, fails to flush, leaks, or continues to run it becomes a major problem for all members of your household. We have provided a few quick-fix tips to getting to the bottom of your bowl.

Clogging
A plunger will not always fix your toilet clogging problem, but usually a toilet auger will do the trick. If neither of these unclogging methods are successful it is time to call Russo Bros. & Co. If your toilet clogs frequently you may need to assess the items you are flushing down your toilet or upgrade to a power-flush model.

Leaking
Water on the floor around your toilet could be due to: a leak in the water pipes, a broken toilet gasket, condensation from the tank, or a jarred toilet assembly. Check for any visible leaks on the outside of the bowl and for condensation. If the leak is inside the toilet you may need to call Russo Bros. & Co.

Running
A running toilet is usually the most manageable toilet problem. First, lift the lid off of your toilet. Usually it is a broken seal that prevents the toilet valve from allowing water into it after the tank refills. Another common occurrence is that the flap valve or chain has worn out or broken. Before performing any work make sure to shut off the toilet’s water supply. If the problem seems out of your control or you find that you have taken your toilet apart and are unable to reassemble it give Russo Bros. & Co. a call and we will perform an emergency visit to your home.

Read more about our plumbing services>>

Longing for a hot shower…

Is your shower not running hot water? Are you experiencing only cold water running through all of your faucets and fixtures or is it just your shower? This constant cold water flow could be due to a number of different issues.

If all of the fixtures in your home are having cold-water issues, the water heater in your home could be the problem. First, begin by checking your water heater’s temperature to see if it is set on the proper setting. If the heater is an electric model, check for a blown fuse. If the heater is a gas unit the pilot light may need to be relit. After relighting the pilot light, if there is still no hot water there could either be an impediment in the flue, a malfunctioning part, a defective temperature control or a buildup of sediment.

The pipes in your shower could be another cause for a lack of hot water. Unless your home has copper piping, which hardly ever corrodes, you may need to inspect and replace your galvanized steel pipes. The issue may also be that you need to check your hot water valve. If your hot water valve is only slightly open or not open at all you will need to widen the opening.

After checking the water heater and pipes if you do not find anything wrong the problem could also lie in the valve in your shower. After time the rubber parts in the valve become worn out, they may begin to bulge and block the waterways. When the water temperature passing through the valve increases the valve enlarges, this leads to parts falling off and obstructing the hot water valve.

Diagnosing your own hot water problem is not always easy. If you are experiencing a shortage of hot water in your home call Russo Bros. & Co. and we will gladly come inspect the possible problem areas and give you an estimate on the spot.

Read more about our plumbing services >>

Have a Drain that Always Clogs?

If you have a drain that continuously becomes clogged, you're not alone.  At least one in five homes has a similar problem with a tub, shower, sink, toilet, or drain. If you're like most people, you've probably used a plunger or poured a chemical down the drain to free the blockage.

Don't!

Over time, drains and pipes become impacted, and a "sludge" forms around the inside of the pipes. Snaking or plunging may temporarily assuage the clog, but they don't eliminate the cause. And if you use chemicals, you may be harming your pipes and fixtures.

When you have a drain with consistent problems, call a professional, like Russo Bros. & Co.  We will send a highly qualified technician in a fully stocked truck to assess the situation.  They can find out if it really is just a clump of hair causing a clog, or something more serious, like a tree root that's slowly destroying your piping.

Learn more about our drain cleaning service >>

Our Mission

We here at Russo Bros. & Co. have a mission and set of core values that we apply to our everyday work.

Mission Statement

We are committed to 100% customer satisfaction by providing outstanding, on-time, quality service with the highest caliber employees.

Core Values

• Accountability: We follow through on our responsibilities and actions
• Teamwork: Our office and field staff work together to provide outstanding service to our clients.
• Honesty: We always deliver value to the client and inform them of their options.
• Integrity: We never compromise our professional recommendations to save a client time or money. We always treat a client's home or office as if it was our own.
• Quality: We pride ourselves on high quality work products that help maintain the safety and well being of our clients.
• Organized: We keep our trucks neat and fully stocked so we can perform all service calls the first time.
• Cleanliness: We always smell good and look presentable when performing service calls.
• Friendliness: We keep communications open; anyone can speak with anyone within our company.
• Respect: All employees have value to add to our organization.

Visit our site to learn the history of Russo Bros. & Co. >>

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our booties are red,

Our uniforms are blue,

If your faucet is leaking,

We'll fix it for you!

To book an appointment, call 1-800-MR-RUSSO or schedule service online>>

Lower your hot water bill

A typical house spends 14% of their energy bill on hot water. Tips to lower this cost include:

• Installing a low-flow shower head. It can cut water usage by as much as 50%.
• Keep showers under 5 minutes.
• Attach low-flow aerators to kitchen and bathroom faucets. The faucet will flow stronger while using less water. (For a family of four this can save thousands of gallons of water per year.)
• When vacationing during these cold winter months, remember to place your water heater in vacation mode.

Read more tips from Russo Bros. & Co. >>

We install water softeners and deliver salt

Did you know Russo Bros. & Co. installs water softeners? If you are interested, call 1-800-MR-RUSSO and we'll send a technician to your home. He will take a look at what needs to be done and give you a personalized quote. If you choose to go ahead with the work, he can do it right then and there!

Already have a water softener? Russo Bros. & Co. delivers salt directly to your water softener. Our technician will fill your tank and make sure your water softener is running at peak efficiency. To schedule a delivery, simply call 1-800-MR-RUSSO.

Learn more about our water quality services >>

You can schedule an appointment online or call 1-800-MR-RUSSO.

Cold Weather Tips to Save Your Pipes, pt II

Last week we went over some tips to protect your home before cold weather sets in.  This week we're going to continue with tips for when temperatures get menacingly low.

When temperatures fall below zero:

• Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. 
• Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to keep them from freezing.

What do you do if your pipes freeze?

• Shut off the water immediately. Don't attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints that will leak when thawed.
• Apply heat to a frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater, or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended, and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
• Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.

Cold Weather Tips to Save Your Pipes

Before cold weather sets in:

• Know what areas of your home, such as basements, crawl spaces, unheated rooms, and outside walls, are most vulnerable to freezing.
• Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by fixing windows, insulating walls, sealing cracks, closing off crawl spaces, and eliminating drafts near doors.
• Make sure everyone in your household knows where your main water shut-off valve is. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately.
• Protect your pipes and water meter. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or an electrical pipe heater. If your meter is located in a pit outside, keep the pit lid closed tightly and let any snow that falls cover it; snow acts as insulation, so don't disturb it.

Check back next week when we tell you how to protect your home when temperatures fall below zero and what to do if your pipes freeze.

If you need help protecting your home call 1-800-MR-RUSSO or schedule service on our website >>

Russo Bros. & Co. wishes you a Happy New Year!

We're offering $20.09 off your next service to commerate the new year.  Use this coupon to fix that dripping faucet and check off one of your resolutions!

To book an appointment, call 1-800-MR-RUSSO or visit our schedule service page >>