10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Stop Doing Now

Needing a plumber in the U.S. can be inevitable if you are experiencing a leaky or burst pipe. But many times, you can stop blocking your pipes or requiring repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to take care of. 

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

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Although they might be referred to as “flushable wipes,” the best place for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (except for the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you have a septic system. 

A Canadian study that looked at 101 such wipes learned they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can clog your sewer line and make your toilet back up. 

They can also cause problems with city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can combine with other nasty things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, like cooking oil and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. Besides being unsanitary and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are expensive to fix. If you use a city sewer system, those are costs that could get passed on to you in the future. 

Whatever style of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should go in the trash once you’re done. 

2. Flushing Other Things That Belong in the Trash

In addition to 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 

Along with wipes, these things can clog your sewer line and back up your toilet, sticking you with a costly (and icky) mess. 

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs 

Relying on drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they can do more harm than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can eat through rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can plug the toilet and stop it from flushing. 

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is plugged, your initial answer might be to buy an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should realize about these drain cleaners. 

  1. They’re harmful. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce strong fumes that can result in respiratory irritation.  
  1. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, imagine what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, breaks and even failure.  
  1. They’re bad for the environment. As you can imagine, these substances aren’t very environmentally friendly.  
  1. They might not even unclog your drain. Despite all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a limited time. That’s due to the fact they often force the clog more into your plumbing until it leads to a huge problem. 

If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to get rid of clogs and foul odors. While they could work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re better for you, your plumbing and the environment. 

If you’re experiencing a tough clog that just won’t break up, contacting a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is your smartest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s easier to have a pro finish the job. That way, you’ll also skip breaking your pipes and a host of horrible issues including leaks, broken seals and troublesome odors. 

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

5. Getting Rid of Grease Down Your Sink

It could seem like it’s not a problem to dump a tiny bit of grease down your drain. But over time, that grease can grow and clog your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and develop a gross fatberg like we talked about previously. 

To stop plumbing woes, drain the oil into a can. After it hardens, you can throw it away in the garbage. 

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for getting rid of small amounts of food waste. But it can’t break up everything. To prevent malfunctions or clogs, we suggest 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 has a bad smell, you can freshen it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar. 

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have regular maintenance. This service can help us find small issues before they result in expensive problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we watch for include: 

  • Adequate water pressure  
  • Dripping or blocked pipes  
  • Correctly working supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets 

If you do spot a problem, like a leaking sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it repaired right away before it gets worse or leads to damage. 

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own

When you are experiencing 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 grows or leads to damage. 

Repairing plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best completed by pros. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair on your own or hire a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and making a pricier expensive problem. 

9. Trying to Tune Up Your Water Heater Yourself

When it comes to your water heater, service and upkeep is best left to the pros. This includes draining it or examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed correctly, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your residence. 

Professional water heater maintenance offers peace of mind that your water heater is operating properly. It also provides you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start considering water heater replacement, as they typically only run for about 10 years. 

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

In the event your home has a major water leak, it’s important to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is usually found in a mechanical room near your water heater. 

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

  • If it has a wheel: turn it clockwise until you can’t anymore.  
  • If it has a lever: turn 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 get a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and shut off the water if there’s trouble. 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 experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are ready to provide support. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were completed like they should. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to book your appointment today! 

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