Category: Recent work

Gas Fireplace Installation in Long Island

Rebmann Installs Gas Fireplace

The heating experts at Rebmann Plumbing and Heating are huge advocates of natural gas heating. It’s a cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable alternative to foreign oil. Start using this safe, dependable, and environmentally responsible resource for your home’s heating today! Call Rebmann for a consultation on switching from oil to natural gas heating this winter.

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Indirect Water Heater Installation in Long Island

A Water Heater That’s High in Performance and High in Efficiency

Indirect water heaters use the heat created by your home’s boiler system to heat your water. What is the result of such a process? A reliable and abundant supply of hot water for you and your family – or in the case of this customer, his business.

Whether it’s for a residential or commercial property, Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning wants to be your water heater installation specialists.

We want you to understand the steps we would take while installing an indirect water heater, so here’s what we did for this business in Long Island:

  1. We removed the existing 100 gallon smart tank from the boiler room.
  2. Then, we installed adapters and a new stainless smart 100 tank.
  3. We wired low voltage for the new tank.
  4. We filled and purged the boiler side and the domestic side of the tank.
  5. Once the installation was complete, we checked how the boiler performed with the new tank.

Knowing how the installation process works probably isn’t enough to convince you to have an indirect water heater installed, right? Well, how about knowing all the benefits?

Benefits of an Indirect Water Heater

In order to enjoy the benefits of an indirect water heater, your home has to be heated by a boiler. But, if you do have a boiler system, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t invest in one.

Here’s why:

  1. Reduced heat loss: Indirect water heaters are very well insulated and don’t lose a lot of heat when not in use. A gas water heater, on the other hand, is always losing energy up the chimney.
  2. Hot water storage: You can choose from a whole range of sizes – from 30 to 200 gallons – which means you are able to have as much hot water storage as you, your family, or your business needs.
  3. High performance: Because indirect water heaters’ performance is based on the boiler it’s connected to, they typically give off about three times as much hot water than a gas water heater.
  4. High efficiency: The water will be heated at the same efficiency of your boiler, so that means you’ll get about 96%, as opposed to gas water heaters that only reach about 70% efficiency.
  5. Longer life: You will probably never need a new water heater ever again, as most indirect water heaters have a lifetime tank warranty.

Think it’s time for an indirect water heater installation? Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning is waiting for your call!

Heat Pump Repair Long Island

Air Filter May be Clogged if Your Heat Pump is Frozen

Heat pumps are a great way to save energy while heating your home. Instead of burning fuel to create heat, it transfers it from a heat source, like the ground, into your home.

But like all great inventions of our time, sometimes they will break. Since winter isn’t over quite yet, and you’ll still be wanting that heat pump to be in tip-top shape, it may be time you ask yourself if your system is working properly?

Common Heat Pump Problems

If you find yourself noticing the following problems, you’ll know it’s time to call in a Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning expert:

  1. Frozen: It’s possible for the heat pump to freeze and, if this is the problem you’re experiencing, check the air filter. Clogged air filters can cause the pump to frost over. Before calling us, try changing the filter and if that doesn’t work we’ll come to help!
  2. Wrong temperature: If you set the thermostat for a certain temperature, but it never actually reaches that point with the system running, then you may have a problem with the sensor. The problem could lie in the thermostat or the heat pump itself. But, before freaking out, note that if it’s below say, 30 degrees, you may need to add a supplemental heat source to properly heat your home. To be sure, give Rebmann a call!
  3. Noisy operation: A properly working heat pump operates quietly, so if you’re hearing abnormally loud sounds it’s time to get it fixed.
  4. Inconsistent temperatures, or no heat at all: If your heat pump doesn’t generate any heat, that’s a sure sign that something is wrong. You can try resetting the system, but don’t play around with it too much. You definitely want to have it looked at by a licensed contractor just to be sure.

While there are a number of other problems you may experience with your heat pump – all issues Rebmann technicians can repair – these are the ones you will probably see most often.

No matter what type of problem you’re having, though, don’t wait to call Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning. We’re always here to help!

Ask a Brooklyn, NY Plumbing Expert: Common Boiler Problems

From Frozen Pipes to Loss of Pressure, Rebmann Can Fix it All

When this customer called Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning, they needed service on their boiler because the two cast iron radiators were not heating. When we arrived at the home, we found that the boiler gauge was not working properly and, to repair it, we replaced the boiler feed valve.

Having no heat in your home is just one of the problems you may experience if you have a boiler in your home. Despite their bulky figure, these heating systems are not indestructible and will eventually develop problems over the course of their life. What are these problems exactly?

Common Boiler Problems

  1. Frozen condensate pipe: When the condensation pipes freeze up, it can causes a blockage. This blockage needs to be cleared by a professional.
  2. Pilot light keeps going out: If this is the problem you’re having, you probably have a broken thermocouple.  In that case, it will need replacing, but fortunately it’s a fairly simple job. Another possible cause is if there’s a damaged air seal.
  3. Kettling: If you live in a hard water area, this is a problem you may experience more frequently, as it’s the build up of limescale on the unit. As the limescale builds up in the boiler’s heat exchange, it causes banging sounds.
  4. Leaking and dripping: There are a number of different things that could cause your boiler to leak, but you would need to find the location of the leak in order to identify the problem.
  5. Thermostat issues: If you’ve never replaced or upgraded your thermostat, it’s possible for that to be the cause of your heating issues. As they get older, they typically become less accurate and misread temperature settings. This results in heat turning on and off by itself. If you don’t want to get a new thermosat just yet, our heating professionals can clean and recalibrate it to get it back working like normal.
  6. No heat or hot water: This can be caused by a variety of different things from broken diaphragms to motorized valve failure. If you have low water levels, that may also be the problem.
  7. Loud banging noises: If there is air in the system, you’ll probably hear a banging, whistling, or gurgling noise coming from your heating system. It may also be caused by the build up of limescale or low water pressure.
  8. Losing pressure: Unfortunately, if you have a loss of pressure in your system, that means you have a leak. Though it does sound like a serious issue, it can usually be remedied by replacing the pressure relief valve and recharging the expansion vessel with air.
  9. Boiler keeps shutting itself off: This could be happening because of low water pressure, thermostat issues, lack of water flow, a pump that’s not working correctly, the failure to circulate the water properly, or air in the system.

No matter what the cause of your boiler problems, though, rest assured that Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning can – and will- repair them. Call us today!

Gas Valve Installation in Long Island

What Causes Gas Valves to Leak?

During these Long Island winters, staying warm is a priority. However, if there is a gas leak it could be detrimental to your health. It is important to know the warning signs of a leak and what steps you have to take to ensure everyone in your home or business is safe.

Gas valve leaks occur for many reasons. Either the valve could be very old and corroded, which would mean it’d be a good idea to get it replaced, or there could be a crack in the valve caused from rust or other wear and tear.

But, gas leaks are no joke and need to be taken very seriously. It’s important that you recognize the signs of one so you can have it taken care of as soon as possible.

Signs of a Gas Leak Inside Your Home

  1. If you ever smell a “rotten egg” odor in your home, it’s a clear sign of a gas leak.
  2. Listen for a hissing noise coming from areas surrounding gas appliances in your home. 

Signs of a Gas Leak Outside Your Home

  1. Watch for dirt or plants being blown near the home. If there is no natural breeze and yet you see air coming from the ground, that’s a possible sign you have a gas leak.
  2. Look for bubbling in moist areas around your home. A leak in a gas pipe can cause this to happen.
  3. Much like plants will be blown by a gas leak, they can also become sickly and die. If you know you’ve been keeping up with your plants, and they die anyway, you probably have a gas leak.

While most gas valve leaks can be repaired, there are some instances when replacement is the better option.

Benefits of Replacement

The most important thing you’ll gain when you replace your gas valve is protection for you and your family. You don’t want carbon monoxide to radiate into your home, and having a brand new one installed will prevent this from happening. The affects of carbon monoxide emission can be fatal, so you don’t want to take that risk!

If you think you have a leaking gas valve in your home or need to install new ones call us at Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning today. We are certified professionals and our job is to keep your family safe!

Sewer Line Repair in Long Island

Common Sewer Line Problems: A Homeowner’s Nightmare

Every homeowner dreads the day that they start seeing problems in their home’s plumbing. First, it can be a clogged toilet making all sorts of gurgling noises, then the sink seems to be acting weird since the water won’t go down, eventually you could even have some basement flooding. These are just some of the warning signs that you might have a sewer line problem. If any of these problems arise in your Long Island home they should definitely be looked at.

Common Sewer Line Culprits

There are many reasons why your home might be having sewer line problems.

  1. Aging is one of the biggest factors.
  2. Of course over time pipes will corrode, collapse, and breakdown. That is caused from wear and tear over the years of usage.
  3. There could also be rusting or other mineral calcification that can cause the breaking down of pipes as well.
  4. Tree roots can also interfere with your sewer line by growing on or around sewer pipes searching for moisture in between the cracks.

Repair Methods

Our Rebmann professional plumbers will come to your home and determine the best method to properly fix your sewer line. Sometimes it could be a simple repair, while other times you might need to replace your whole sewer line system. Which one it will be depends on the amount of damage that’s already been done to your line.

Seeking immediate professional attention is very important. Following the warning signs could prevent any further damage caused to your Long Island home.

When it comes to sewer line repairs or replacements do not hesitate to call Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning. We offer 24/7 emergency service to all of our customers because we understand that these things can occur at anytime of the day or night. We are here to the rescue!

Backflow Device Installation in Oyster Bay

Benefits of Having a Backflow Device

A backflow device is used to prevent contamination and pollution to your home or business’s water supply. If water backflows into your home, it could cause potential health hazards that are harmful to anyone who comes into contact with the contaminated water.

Why Does Water Backflow?

There are many reasons why water can backflow into your home, which is why it is always a good idea to have a properly functioning backflow system at all times.

Water backflow is the reversal of the normal flow of water which is sometimes caused by very heavy rainfall. Due to the rain, there is pressure buildup in the sewer system from exceeding water capacity. Another reason why backflow occurs is because of blockages in the city sewer systems. When this occurs it can contaminate potable water going into your home. This water is not suitable for people to use and that is when a backflow device comes in handy.

The benefits:

  1. Ease of mind. By having a backflow device installed in your home you know that the water in your home is safe to drink and bathe in. 
  2. If you are running a Long Island business, whether it be a restaurant, doctors office, or a florist shop, you want to make sure your water is clean and without bacteria because it could negatively affect your business.

If you think you need to install in a new backflow system into your home, Rebmann is your answer. Our experts will come to your home and perfectly install a new backflow system to ensure all your water is safe for you and your family.

Here at Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning we care about our Long Island customers and are willing to do anything to make sure they are completely satisfied. Don’t hesitate, call us today!

Boiler Leak in Long Island

If Your Boiler Cracks, You May be Better Off Replacing It

 

A customer called Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning because they were experiencing a boiler leak. Here’s what we found: The homeowner had a leak under the cement slab. Upon further investigation, we found that the boiler piping was installed in a manner that is not common for the type of home they had. There was no positive way to locate the leaking pipe other than breaking up large areas.

We didn’t tell you that to scare you, but rather to inform you of what can happen if a leak is left unattended. So you can be adequately prepared for any potential boiler problems, we want to make sure you know what could cause boilers to leak.

Reasons For Boiler Leaks

  1. Cracks in the body: A boiler warms up and cools down often, and when it does that, the metal pieces expand and contract. From all that stress and fatigue, the boiler can eventually crack or split. A crack in the unit can be serious and expensive. If you have an old boiler in your home, you may want to consider replacing it before dishing out big bucks on a repair which will ultimately need replacing soon after anyway.
  2. Damage to the boiler seals: If the boiler seals are damaged, the pump can push the water out. It may be a good idea at that point to replace the seals and the pump in order to properly fix the problem.
  3. Loose joints: This easy-to-fix problem will cause the boiler to leak when it contracts and expands. To see if this is the issue you’re having, check all the boiler’s fittings, pipes, and tubes. You can also check the blowdown valve which could also cause a leak.
  4. Boiler pressure issues: All boilers are made with a special pressure outlet pipe that plays a very important role. This outlet sometimes drips water and could be mistaken for a leak. Sometimes homeowners will cap it off, but if pressure inside the boiler can’t escape through the outlet pipe, the boiler could explode. If you frequently notice water directly below your boiler, instead of blocking it off, just reduce the pressure inside the tank.

 

If you do see a leak, though, it’s best to call in a Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning professional so we can fix the problem as soon as possible!

How to Maintain Your Water Heater in Long Island

Flushing The Tank Makes for a Quieter, More Reliable Unit

 

Having to deal with a water heater repair can be aggravating, as it probably means you currently don’t have any hot water in your home. If there was a way to avoid this disruption to your day, wouldn’t you want to try it?

There’s one easy way you can try to avoid water heater problems: regular maintenance. This is something our technicians here at Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning can do, but there also some things you can try at home.

Maintenance Tips

In order to keep your water heater running efficiently and reliably, try the following:

  1. Whenever going on a trip for an extended period of time, it would be a good idea to adjust the thermostat in gas heaters to “Vacation” setting. This setting will maintain the pilot light without heating the water.
  2. Annually test the pressure-relief valve. To do this, quickly discharge it two or three times. After the testing, watch for small leaks coming from the valve.
  3. If you have an older unit, it would be wise to insulate it with a fiberglass jacket to improve it’s efficiency. When insulating it, though, be careful to avoid contact with the flue. Newer units are already optimized to run at peak efficiency. (So, if you are toying with the idea of a replacement, this might be a good reason to get one!)
  4. You should almost always have at least two feet of clearance around the water heater.
  5. To avoid the risk of scalding, set your thermostat to 120 degrees.
  6. Every few months, you should drain about a quarter of the tank to remove any sediment and debris. This not only makes the unit more efficient, but it helps it run quieter, too.
  7. Every three to five years, it’d be a good idea to examine the sacrificial anode rod. To do this, loosen the head head screw, remove it, and look for more than six inches of exposed core steel wire. If you see the exposed wire, you should replace the anode.

 

Don’t worry – if you would feel more comfortable with a professional performing this maintenance, Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning will be right there. Call us today!

Water Filter Replacement in Long Island

Common Water Filtration System Problems

 

Water filters are probably the best invention ever created, next to sliced bread that is. Without them our food and water would taste different, our clothes would be harder and our skin wouldn’t be as soft. Yes that’s right, all of these things are related to the quality of our water. Not to mention without a water filter your home’s plumbing will not last as long and could erode away from all the mineral build-up in the pipes caused from hard water deposits.

Effects of Water Filtration System Problems:

  1. Rusting and corroding pipes: Hard water deposits can eat away at your plumbing and and cause blockages. That is because water picks up different minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium from the environment. It is important to have a filter so it can prevent this from happening, and even adding a water softener element into your filtration system will help to eliminate the hard water.
  2. Stained clothes: When water picks up iron and goes into your washing machine, sometimes it will stain your clothes that rusty orange color. With a water filter you won’t have to worry about damaging your clothes.
  3. Chlorine taste: There is nothing worse than having a glass of water that tastes like a swimming pool. This happens because a lot of water plants treat their water with chlorine to prevent bacteria growth. This also affects how your food tastes as well. Water filters will solve this problem and leave your food and water tasting excellent, just how it should be.
  4. Dry, itchy skin: After a long day, taking a nice hot shower is the best thing in the world. However, when you get out, if your skin feels dry and itchy that might not be just a dermatological problem, it could be your home’s water filtration system. All those minerals from the hard water stay on your skin, which make it anything but soft and smooth.

 

Why Rebmann?

Family-owned Rebmann Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning has been providing Long Islanders with quality customer service and advice for nearly one-hundred years. We are experts in water filtration installation, repair, and maintenance and are just waiting for your call!

If you think you home needs a new water filter please do not hesitate to give us a call. We are more than willing to help and look forward to making the water in your home better for you!