10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Immediately

Having to have a plumber in the U.S. can be necessary if you are experiencing a leaky or broken pipe. But the majority of times, you can stop plugging your pipes or requiring repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to repair.

Here are some of the most common issues our professionals 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 best 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 looked at 101 such wipes discovered they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up.

They can also cause a lot of trouble to city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can attach to other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, including cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Besides being unhygienic and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are pricey to fix. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get passed on to you in the future.

Whichever type of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be thrown in the trash once you’re finished.

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Garbage

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

• • Feminine hygiene products

• • Makeup remover pads

• • Cat litter

Together with wipes, these things can block your sewer line and back up your toilet, leaving you with an expensive (and icky) mess.

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Relying on drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they can do more harm than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, including bleach, which can destroy 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 immediate answer could be to purchase a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should realize about these drain cleaners.

1. 1. They’re harmful. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce intense fumes that can cause respiratory irritation.

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

3. 3. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can figure out, these chemicals aren’t very environmentally friendly.

4. 4. They might not even work. Despite all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s since they often push the clog deeper into your plumbing until it creates a major problem.

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

If you have a strong clog that just won’t dissolve, contacting 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 a pro finish the job. That way, you’ll also avoid causing damage to your pipes and a host of bad issues including leaks, broken seals and unpleasant odors.

After your drain is working like it should, 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 may seem like it’s not a issue to dump a small amount of oil down your pipes. But over time, that grease can grow and block your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and develop a nasty fatberg like we mentioned prior.

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

6. Turning to Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for breaking up little bits of food. But it can’t break up everything. To prevent problems or clogs, we recommend not putting these things 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. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs regular service. This service can help us discover little issues before they cause expensive problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we check for entail:

• • Adequate water pressure

• • Drippy or clogged pipes

• • Properly working supply lines and plumbing fixtures like sinks, tubs, showers and toilets

If you do see a problem, like a leaky sink or pipe, it’s important to get it taken care of immediately before it grows worse or causes damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

When you have 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 gets worse or results in damage.

Repairing plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best left to pros. 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 creating 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 specialists. This includes draining it or examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t performed correctly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your house.

Pro water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is working properly. It also provides you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start considering water heater replacement, since they often only last for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your house has a big water leak, it’s critical to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This valve is typically situated 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: turn it clockwise until you can’t anymore.

• • If it has a lever: rotate 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 get a water leak protection system that will alert you and shut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even get a smart system to monitor water use and alert you on your phone if there’s trouble.

Whatever plumbing issue you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are available to provide support. And we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were done like they should. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to request your appointment right away!