The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Requiring a plumber in Fort Worth can be necessary if you have a dripping or burst pipe. But many times, you can prevent blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair.

Here are some of the most frequent issues our Experts field calls about at Calverley Service Experts and how you can stop them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Even though they might be called “flushable wipes,” the ideal location 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 looked at 101 such wipes found none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can block your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up.

They can also cause problems with city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can combine with other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, like cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. In addition to being dirty and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are costly to fix. If you’re on a city sewer system, those are costs that could get assigned to you in the future.

Whatever type 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 Belong in the Waste Bin

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

Like wipes, these things can block your sewer line and make your toilet run over, saddling you with an expensive (and icky) mess.

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Using drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they can do more harm than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can clog the toilet and prevent it from flushing.

4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your initial response might be to purchase a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners.

1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce strong fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation. 
2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, imagine what they can do to your piping: corrosion, fractures and even failure. 
3. They’re bad for the environment. As you can determine, these formulas aren’t exactly environmentally friendly. 
4. They might not even work. In spite of all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s due to the fact they often move the clog more 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 have bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and bad odors. While they might work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you’re experiencing a strong clog that just won’t break up, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Calverley Service Experts is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s simpler to have a pro complete the job. That way, you’ll also avoid harming your pipes and a host of horrible issues including leaks, broken seals and horrible odors.

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

5. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It might seem like it’s not a problem to pour a tiny bit of fat down your pipes. But as the years go by, that grease can grow and clog your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and lead to a yucky fatberg like we mentioned earlier.

To stop plumbing woes, drain the fat into a can. After it cools, you can toss it in the garbage.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for breaking up little amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To stop breakdowns 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 is smelly, you can clean it with citrus peels or a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires routine maintenance. This service can help us spot minor issues before they result in major problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we watch for entail:

If you do see a problem, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s important to get it fixed without delay before it gets bigger or causes damage.

8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we recommend calling an Expert at Calverley Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or results in damage.

Repairing plumbing is a detailed job that’s best completed by pros. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair without help or call a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and making a more expensive problem.

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

When it comes to your water heater, service and tune-ups are best left to the specialists. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed properly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your house.

Pro water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is operating right. It also provides you advance notice when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, because they often only run for about 10 years.

10. Not Being Aware of Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

When your home has a major water leak, it’s essential to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This valve is typically located in a mechanical room near your water heater.

If you’re still not sure where the valve is located, Calverley Service Experts can help you find it.

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

Whatever plumbing issue you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Calverley Service Experts are available to assist you. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll be sure that your repairs were finished right. Reach us at 817-380-5647 to request your appointment today!