10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Right Away

Requiring a plumber in the U.S. can be unavoidable if you are experiencing a leaky or broken pipe. But the majority of times, you can avoid blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to take care of.

Here are some of the most regular problems our professionals field calls about at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and how you can prevent them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be called “flushable wipes,” the ideal spot for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you rely on a septic system.

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes discovered they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can clog your sewer line and cause your toilet to back up.

They can also wreak havoc on city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can conglomerate with other nasty things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, including cooking fat and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. In addition to being unhygienic and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are costly to get rid of. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get passed on to you in the long run.

No matter what type of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be tossed in the trash once you’re done.

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Trash

Other than flushable wipes, there are a couple other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These involve:

• • Feminine hygiene products

• • Makeup remover pads

• • Cat litter

In addition to wipes, these things can plug your sewer line and back up your toilet, sticking you with a pricey (and nasty) mess.

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Using drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may do more harm than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, including bleach, which can wreck rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can clog the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your first answer could be to purchase an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners.

1. 1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic combination of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce intense fumes that can result in respiratory irritation.

2. 2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your pipes: corrosion, breaks and even failure.

3. 3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can imagine, these chemicals aren’t very environmentally friendly.

4. 4. They might not even unclog your drain. Regardless of all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s because they often move the clog more into your plumbing until it leads to a big problem.

If you do require a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners use bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and foul odors. While they can work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re better for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you have a tough clog that just won’t break up, contacting a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s simpler to have a pro finish the job. That way, you’ll also avoid harming your pipes and a wide variety of troublesome issues such as leaks, broken seals and troublesome odors.

After your drain is clear, keep it that way by having a screen to keep hair or food scraps from plugging it again.

5. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink

It could seem like it’s not a big deal to pour a tiny bit of fat down your drain. But as the years go by, that grease can accumulate and plug your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and lead to a nasty fatberg like we discussed prior.

To skip plumbing troubles, drain the fat into a can. After it solidifies, you can throw it away in the waste can.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for breaking up small amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To avoid problems or clogs, we advise not putting these foods down your garbage disposal:

• • Coffee grounds

• • Pasta, oats, rice and bread

• • Bones, nuts, pits and seeds

• • Eggshells

• • Onions and potato peels

• • Fibrous fruits and vegetables

• • Grease

If your garbage disposal is smelly, you can clean it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires annual tune-ups. This service can help us spot little issues before they lead to big problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we watch for entail:

• • Proper water pressure

• • Dripping or clogged pipes

• • Adequately operating supply lines and plumbing fixtures including sinks, tubs, showers and toilets

If you do spot trouble, including a dripping sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it fixed immediately before it becomes bigger or results in damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for leak repair before it gets bigger or results in damage.

Repairing plumbing is a complex job that’s best done by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try to do water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, since you could end up wasting time and creating a pricier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Service Your Water Heater Yourself

When it comes to your water heater, service and maintenance is best left to the specialists. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done properly, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your residence.

Experienced water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is working right. It also provides you advance notice when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, because they typically only work for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

When your house has a major water leak, it’s critical to be knowledgeable about where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is often located in a mechanical room near your water heater.

Here’s how to turn off the main water valve in your residence:

• • If it has a wheel: move it clockwise until you can’t anymore.

• • If it has a lever: rotate it about a quarter of the way.

If you’re are unsure about where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you find it.

It’s also a wise idea to have a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and cut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even have a smart system to watch water use and notify you via your phone if there’s a problem.

Whatever plumbing problem you’re faced with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to assist you. And we’ll stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were done like they should. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule your appointment right away!