10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Right Away

Having to have a plumber in the U.S. can be necessary if you are experiencing a drippy or ruptured pipe. But many times, you can stop clogging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to take care of. 

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

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Even though they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the ideal place for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (other than the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you have a septic system. 

A Canadian study that tested 101 such wipes found none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up. 

They can also wreak havoc on city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can attach to other gross things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, like cooking fat and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. As well as being unsanitary and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are pricey to repair. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get assigned to you in the future. 

Whichever style 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 Belong in the Garbage

In addition to flushable wipes, there are several other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These include: 

  • Feminine hygiene products 
  • Makeup remover pads 
  • Cat litter 

Like wipes, these things can block your sewer line and make your toilet run over, leaving you with a pricey (and nasty) mess. 

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs 

Having drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they might do more damage than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, like bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets dissolve, they can block the toilet and keep it from flushing. 

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is plugged, your first response may be to purchase a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should know about these drain cleaners. 

  1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also create strong fumes that can cause respiratory irritation.  
  1. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, fractures and even failure.  
  1. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can determine, these formulas aren’t exactly good for the environment.  
  1. They might not even work. Regardless of all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s due to the fact they often force the clog further into your plumbing until it leads to a big problem. 

If you do require a drain cleaner, we suggest using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and foul odors. While they could require more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment. 

If you have a difficult clog that just won’t dissolve, getting in touch with 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 faster to have an Expert finish the job. That way, you’ll also avoid causing damage to your pipes and a wide variety of troublesome issues such as leaks, nonworking seals and troublesome odors. 

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

5. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It can seem like it’s not a big deal to pour a small amount of grease down your drain. But as the years go by, that grease can accumulate and clog your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and lead to a nasty fatberg like we mentioned prior. 

To avoid plumbing woes, drain the grease into a can. After it solidifies, you can toss it in the trash. 

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for getting rid of little food scraps. But it can’t get rid of everything. To avoid issues or clogs, we advise not putting these items 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 revive it with citrus peels or a combination of baking soda and vinegar. 

7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires regular tune-ups. This service can help us spot small issues before they result in expensive problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we are on the lookout for involve: 

  • Proper water pressure  
  • Drippy or plugged pipes  
  • Properly working supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets 

If you do spot a problem, such as a dripping sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it fixed right away before it becomes worse or results in damage. 

8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we recommend calling an Expert at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for leak repair before it gets worse or results in damage. 

Mending plumbing is a complex job that’s best completed by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair yourself or call a handyman, since you could end up wasting time and creating a pricier expensive problem. 

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater Yourself

When it comes to your water heater, service and tune-ups are best left to the professionals. 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. 

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

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your residence has a large water leak, it’s important to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is often situated in a mechanical room near your water heater. 

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

  • If it has a wheel: circle it clockwise until you can’t anymore.  
  • If it has a lever: move it about a quarter of the way. 

If you’re don’t know where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you find it. 

It’s also a good idea to have a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and shut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even have a smart system to keep an eye on water use and alert you through your phone if there’s a problem. 

Whatever plumbing issue you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to assist you. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll have peace of mind that your repairs were completed correctly. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to book your appointment now! 

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