10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Quit Doing Immediately
Having to have a plumber in the U.S. can be necessary if you are dealing with a leaky or ruptured pipe. But a lot of the time, you can prevent clogging your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to repair.
Here are some of the most frequent issues our Experts get calls about at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and how you can stop them.
1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes
Despite the fact they might be called “flushable wipes,” the best place for them is the waste bin. 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 examined 101 such wipes learned they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can block your sewer line and cause your toilet to back up.
They can also cause a lot of trouble to city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can conglomerate with other gross things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, like cooking grease and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. In addition to being unhygienic and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are pricey to repair. If you use a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get passed on to you in the future.
Whichever kind of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should go in the trash once you’re complete.
2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Trash
Other than flushable wipes, there are a few other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These cover:
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- Feminine hygiene products
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- Makeup remover pads
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- Cat litter
Like wipes, these things can plug your sewer line and overflow your toilet, sticking you with a costly (and gross) mess.
3. Relying on Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs
Using drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a great way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may do more harm than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, like bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can clog the toilet and stop it from flushing.
4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners
If your sink is clogged, your immediate response may be to purchase a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should realize about these drain cleaners.
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- They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce intense fumes that can cause respiratory irritation.
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- They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your piping: corrosion, breaks and even failure.
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- They’re harmful to the environment. As you can imagine, these substances aren’t extremely good for the environment.
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- They might not even unplug your drain. Regardless of all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s because they often force the clog more into your plumbing until it results in a major problem.
If you do have to have a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and foul odors. While they might 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 dissolve, calling 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 perform the job. That way, you’ll also prevent breaking your pipes and a wide variety of horrible issues like leaks, broken 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 plugging it again.
5. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink
It could seem like it’s not a big deal to dump a tiny bit of fat down your pipes. But as time passes, that grease can build up and block your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and lead to a gross fatberg like we discussed previously.
To prevent plumbing issues, drain the grease into a container. After it cools, you can dump it in the trash.
6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything
Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for breaking up tiny food scraps. But it can’t eliminate everything. To stop breakdowns or clogs, we advise not putting these foods down your garbage disposal:
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- Coffee grounds
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- Pasta, oats, rice and bread
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- Bones, nuts, pits and seeds
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- Eggshells
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- Onions and potato peels
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- Fibrous fruits and vegetables
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- Grease
If your garbage disposal has a bad smell, you can revive it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.
7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System
Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have annual service. This service can help us spot minor issues before they result in big problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we check for include:
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- Proper water pressure
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- Dripping or blocked pipes
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- Correctly functioning supply lines and plumbing fixtures including sinks, tubs, showers and toilets
If you do find trouble, like a leaking sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it fixed without delay before it becomes worse or leads to damage.
8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help
When you have 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 detailed job that’s best done by professionals. There’s a reason why plumbers finish extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair on your own or call a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and having a more expensive problem.
9. Trying to Tune Up 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 examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t performed properly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your home.
Professional water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is running like it should. It also provides you a heads-up when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, as they usually only work for about 10 years.
10. Not Being Aware of Where the Water Main Shutoff Is
In the event your house has a major water leak, it’s important to know where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is often situated in a mechanical room near your water heater.
Here’s how to switch off the main water valve in your residence:
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- If it has a wheel: circle it clockwise until you can’t anymore.
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- If it has a lever: turn 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 smart idea to get a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and shut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even get a smart system to keep an eye on water use and notify you through your phone if there’s a leak.
Whatever plumbing issue you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are available to help you. And we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were finished right. Reach us at 866-397-3787 to book your appointment today!