10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Stop Doing Now

Needing a plumber in the U.S. can be inevitable if you are dealing with a leaky or burst pipe. But the majority of times, you can avoid blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to take care of.

Here are some of the most common problems we receive 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 referred to as “flushable wipes,” the right place for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you use a septic system.

A Canadian study that looked at 101 such wipes found they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t disintegrate 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 combine with other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, such as cooking oil and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. Along with being dirty and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are pricey to repair. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get assigned to you in the long run.

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

2. Flushing Other Things That Belong in the Garbage

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

• • Feminine hygiene products

• • Makeup remover pads

• • Cat litter

Like wipes, these things can plug your sewer line and back up your toilet, saddling you with an expensive (and nasty) mess.

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Having drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a good way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may cause more trouble 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 block the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your initial answer could be to buy a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should be aware of when it involves 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 create powerful fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation.

2. 2. They can eat through your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your piping: corrosion, breaks and even failure.

3. 3. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can determine, these substances aren’t extremely helpful for the environment.

4. 4. They might not even unclog your drain. In spite of all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s since they often force the clog deeper into your plumbing until it results in a major problem.

If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and foul odors. While they can require more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re safer for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you’re experiencing a tough clog that just won’t break up, getting in touch with 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 faster to have an Expert perform the job. That way, you’ll also skip harming your pipes and a wide variety of troublesome issues like leaks, damaged 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. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink

It could seem like it’s not a big deal to dump a small amount of fat down your sink. But as time passes, that grease can grow and clog your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and create a nasty fatberg like we talked about earlier.

To skip plumbing issues, drain the oil into a container. After it cools, you can throw it away in the garbage.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for eliminating small amounts of food waste. But it can’t get rid of everything. To prevent malfunctions 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 has a bad smell, you can clean it with citrus peels or a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires routine maintenance. This service can help us discover minor issues before they lead to major problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we check for include:

• • Ample water pressure

• • Dripping or clogged pipes

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

If you do spot a problem, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it repaired without delay before it grows worse or results in damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

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 bigger or leads to damage.

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

9. Trying to Service Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

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

Experienced water heater maintenance provides 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 considering water heater replacement, since they typically only last for about 10 years.

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

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

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

• • If it has a wheel: circle 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 smart idea to install a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and shut off the water if there’s a problem. You can even have a smart system to watch water use and notify you via your phone if there’s a problem.

Whatever plumbing issue you’re faced with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to provide support. And we’ll stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll be sure that your repairs were done correctly. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule your appointment now!