Is My Furnace Big Enough for My Rochester, NY Home?

Leone Plumbing & Heating
Rochester NY Furnace Specialists

Is My Furnace Big Enough for My Rochester, NY Home?

In the middle of a Rochester, NY winter, your furnace may easily become your favorite appliance in the house. Home should always be a place that is warm and comfortable. If you don’t feel this way about your furnace in the Winter, there are some things to consider. Furnaces are only designed to heat houses of a certain size. If you paying a ton of money running your furnace and it is going all the time and you still aren’t warm and toasty, then perhaps you may consider researching if your furnace is big enough for your house.

Newer Construction, Older Furnace

Things happen to old houses over the years. People redecorate, renovate and change things completely. Another thing that happens is that people expand their home. Utilizing more space and land, people will add bedrooms, bathrooms and more to their home. Oftentimes, people undertake these expansions without thinking of the added workload for their features like the furnace. You may not even be aware of the problem if the house was expanded but the furnace was never updated with the renovations.

Open Concept Means More Space to Heat

One of things that is en vogue with homes and renovations is moving from a traditional floor plan to an open concept. This can involve removing walls and doors and keeping space as open as possible. However, there is another side effect of the open concept: more space to heat. Walls often contain insulation, or, at the very least, they are not given direct access to the heat, for obvious reasons. When you remove these walls, you create more open space for the heat to dissipate into and, thus, a greater workload on your furnace. With a renovation like this, you are adding workload to your furnace without even thinking about it. Thankfully, there is a way to get a definite answer. Many plumbing contractors and hvac specialists will come see you and give you an estimate at little to no charge. They can give you more information on the capacity of your furnace. It is also possible that your furnace needs maintenance to perform at its optimal level. With the help of a professional, you can be sure to stay warm in the winter and not flush a bunch of money down the toilet in wasted energy. A warm home is a happy home!
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Rochester, NY Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Bathroom Renovations in Rochester NY
Bathroom Renovations Rochester NYIf you look at where you can find added value in a home, there are a short list of answers near the top: kitchens and bathrooms. Even though we, proportionately, don’t spend that much time in our bathrooms, a good bathroom can add a huge amount of value to the house. However, many older homes in particular, don’t have bathrooms to be proud of and many homeowners are looking for a renovation, both for increased home value and more personal comfort. If you are considering a bathroom remodeling renovation and you aren’t sure what to do, here are a couple tips.

Bathroom Renovations in Rochester lead to Better Utilization of Space

Many older bathrooms were about function rather than form. It showed in the layout of the bathrooms. Space wasn’t used very well and it can make the room seem small and cramped, definitely a negative in terms of home value. If you think outside the box in terms of fixtures, storage and appliances, you may find ways to make the bathroom feel more comfortable and spacious and utilize the space of the bathroom better. Consider shelving instead of bulky cabinets to open up the floor space. Don’t set yourself against moving the toilet or other features around if it can provide you space. Anything is possible and, when done right, you tend to see a huge return on value when you spend money on bathrooms.

When Updating Bathroom Fixtures, Go Energy Efficient

Going green and showing concern for the environment are both key buzzwords today and they sound good to a potential homebuyer in Rochester, NY. Of course, they can also help lower your utilities bill. If your bathroom renovation requires some new fixtures, consider spending a couple more dollars and getting new, energy efficient fixtures. Some great bathroom remodeling trends an options include low-flow or dual flush toilets. These can greatly reduce the water use in a household, make the house more environmentally friendly and give the bathroom the look of being newly renovated all at the same time. Using these tips, and others, you can turn your boring bathroom into something that you will be proud to showcase and add value to your house to boot. If you don’t want to do it yourself, you should certainly shop around when looking for bathroom renovation contractors in Rochester, NY. Most should give you a free estimate and let you know how much time and money will go into your bathroom project. However, when done well, it is usually money well spent!
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How do I know if I need to replace my sewer line?

How do I know if I need to replace my sewer line?

Sewer lines are not something that most people think about, until the time something goes wrong. When that happens, you can have a real mess on your hands. Some of the early signs of sewer line problems include gurgling noises coming from the toilet, water that drains slower than normal, or a smelly sinkhole that suddenly appears in your yard. If you begin to smell sewage, notice that patches of your yard are always wet regardless of the weather, or if you see a wet sinkhole in yard, then you probably need to have your sewer line replaced. Clogged Sewer Line RepairAt some point all sewer lines need to be repaired or replaced, particularly in homes built during the 1970’s or earlier. The fact is, the older your pipes are, the more likely it is that you will have trouble with them. Sewer pipes in older homes are usually made of clay tiles that can crack or break apart, allowing tree roots to infiltrate the pipe and create clogs. Problems can also result from pipe sections that have settled or collapsed.  When properly installed, PVC pipes that are used today should have a lifespan of over 100 years. Sometimes homeowners wonder if they can simply patch their existing pipes instead of opting for replacing them. If the sewer line is old then there will most likely be other bad spots that will give you problems in the near future. The cost of a series of patch jobs can add up quickly and in the long run it makes more sense to replace the entire line. That way you can save money over time and have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your sewer line will remain in good repair for years to come. If you want to check out the condition of your sewer line before you have a crisis on your hands, you can pay to have a camera run through the line to check it out. That way you will know if you have any impending problems. Tree roots cause some of the most common problems that lead people to have to replace their sewer lines. Since they love the constant source of moisture, tree roots will often invade broken sewer pipes and then continue to grow until they completely clog the broken sewer lines. Even though copper sulfate can repel roots as a temporary fix, it can also damage, or even kill, the tree. If the copper sulfate does not work, then you still have the underlying problem of growing roots waiting to invade your sewer lines. Sewer pipes can also become clogged from an accumulation of muck, grease, and other material that gets washed down your drains day after day. Sometimes sewer lines will collapse, break, or simply rot away. Tree roots can do a lot to exacerbate this process. Running a snake through your pipes to clear out the tree roots can do even more damage to your sewer line.

Here are some tips to help keep your sewer line in good shape:

  • Find out where your sewer line is located. This can help you make decisions about landscaping and parking.
  • Don’t plant trees or shrubs near your sewer line because the roots will eventually seek out the moisture in the line.
  • Don’t park a vehicle directly over your sewer line because the weight and pressure of the vehicle could weaken the pipe below and eventually crush it.
  • Don’t flush anything down the toilet that is not toilet paper or human waste.  Use the trash can instead of the toilet for disposing of any other items in your bathroom.
  • Never pour grease down a drain because it can clog pipes. Pour it into a can to let it cool and then dispose of it in the trash.
Most often the responsibility to pay for sewer line repair or replacement falls on homeowners and it can be costly. However, replacing or repairing sewer lines is definitely not a do-it-yourself home repair. Not only is it very labor intensive, but if you don’t know really what you are doing you can do some serious damage. Don’t trust your home’s sewer line to just anyone. Hire a plumbing company you can depend on to get the job done right. At Leone Plumbing and Heating we have made it our mission to provide excellent service that leads to the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
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Drain Cleaning Rochester, NY: Difficult Drains, Call and Expert!

Drain Cleaning Rochester NY

Drain Cleaning Rochester, NY: Difficult Drains, Call and Expert!

Are the drains in your home running slower than usual? It may be time for a professional sewer and drain cleaning for your Rochester, NY home. Clogged drains can be frustrating at best to deal with and, in some cases, embarrassing and unsanitary. Sometimes all you need is some drain cleaning tips but most liquid solutions are not powerful enough to tackle the problem and will provide little, if any, long-term relief. Often these chemicals contain acids that can eat away at your pipes, causing long-term damage.  If your drains are frustrating it may be time to call a drain cleaning Rochester, NY expert. Drain Cleaning Rochester NY The average home is filled with many different types of drains. Here is a list of them, along with the typical reasons why they become clogged.
  • Kitchen drains will run slower over time as soaps, detergents, greases, and fats build up on the inner walls of your pipes. This buildup will eventually cause the pipes to become blocked and prevent your kitchen sink stops draining.
  • Bathroom sink drains usually become clogged from a combination of toothpaste, hair, soap, and grime.
  • Toilet drains can become overwhelmed by toilet paper and the occasional foreign object, such as a child’s toy causing your toilet to gurgle.
  • Shower and tub drains typically become clogged from a buildup of hair, soap, and hair products like shampoo and conditioner. You should not have standing water when you are taking a shower. If you do have water covering your feet, then you have a clogged drain that will eventually be completely blocked.
  • Floor drains are often found in laundry rooms, basements, and garages. They can become clogged with dirt and debris over time.
  • Downspout drains work to channel water that comes from roof gutters away from your home. Standing water from gutters can cause a home’s foundation to become damaged over time. Leaves and other debris can block these drains that connect to the storm sewer system via pipes in the ground.  Calling in a gutter cleaning expert in Rochester, Ny should help
  • The main sewer line is the largest drain in a home and all other household drains empty into it. This drain can become clogged as a result of combined debris from the other drains in the house or from tree roots that can penetrate pipes.
If you notice any of the drains in your Rochester home running slowly, do not hesitate to give Leone Heating and Plumbing a call. We work to quickly identify the problem with your drains and then fix it. We also offer plumbing services, as well as bathroom remodels and HVAC services.
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What to Look for When You Want the Best Plumber in Rochester, NY

Want the Best Plumber in Rochester, NY?  Here is What to Look for When You

For most people their home is the biggest investment they will ever make. Therefore it stands to reason that when it comes to something as important as the plumbing, homeowners want to make sure that they are hiring the best. There are so many options out there. How can you tell who is the best plumber in Rochester, NY? Best Plumber in Rochester, NY Here are some tips on what to look for when you want the best plumber in Rochester:
  • Look for a plumber who is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Emergencies don’t always happen during business hours, so you want to make sure that you have a plumber who is available when you really need them. At Leone Plumbing and Heating, our professionals are ready to serve your plumbing needs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are always there when you need us.
  • Look for a plumber who is centrally located so they can get to your home quickly when you need them. Leone Plumbing and Heating’s central location allows us to get to most jobs within 20 minutes.
  • Look for a plumber with a positive reputation. Ask friends and family who they use for their plumbing needs. Leone Plumbing and Heating has built a strong reputation in the Rochester area for our reliability and excellent customer service.
  • Look for a plumber who can perform a variety of plumbing services. The plumbers at Leone Plumbing and Heating have been trained to specialize in all aspects of plumbing, including: emergency drain cleaning, water heater leaks, overflowing sinks, sewer and drain leaks and repairs, plus everything that can happen in between.
If you find yourself in need of the best plumber in Rochester, NY give Leone Plumbing and Heating a call today. We work hard to be the best plumbers in Rochester.
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Today’s Top Trends in Bathroom Design Rochester, NY

Today’s Top Trends in Bathroom Design Rochester, NY

Bathroom Shower Rochester NYBathroom Design Rochester, NY complete bathroom design rochester, ny Renovating their master bathroom into a peaceful oasis is the dream of many homeowners. When you combine the hustle and bustle of today’s working world with the non-stop activity of many families, it is no wonder so many homeowners are seeking their own personal hideaway within the home. After all, it is important to have a place to both prepare for the day ahead and to unwind at the end of that day, making bathroom remodeling a growing trend with custom bathroom design Rochester, NY atop the list. One of the most popular trends in bathroom design in Rochester, NY is that of making changes in order to turn the master bath into as much of a spa experience as possible. To that end, homeowners are often choosing a soothing earthy color palette or a palette with a lot of blue and turquoise to evoke calming waters. In addition, homeowners are choosing to add such features as steam showers and soaking tubs to further maximize the spa-like feel. Today more and more homeowners are asking for larger showers, often with multiple showerheads and benches. These larger showers are usually tiled and equipped with hinged glass doors to keep them light and airy rather than overwhelming. Along with the larger shower, many homeowners are opting for luxuries like heated floor tiles and towel warmers. These features can be especially nice during the cold Rochester winters and also contribute to the soothing spa ambiance. Convenience is also an important factor in bathroom design in Rochester today. Dual vanities are increasingly popular as they allow both partners to get ready at the same time and share the bathroom space, rather than having to take turns. Another design feature that makes sharing easier is the decision to privatize the toilet with a water closet, or at least a dividing wall. This also allows for easier sharing of the bathroom space. Homeowners are also choosing to increase storage in the bath to keep everything organized and out of sight to prevent clutter. If you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom and not sure what to look for, give Leone Heating and Plumbing a call. We work hard to turn our customers’ dream bathrooms into reality that they can enjoy for years to come. In addition to bathroom remodeling, we also offer plumbing services and HVAC services to the Rochester community.
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