10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Quit Doing Right Away

Having to have a plumber in Voorhees can be necessary if you are dealing with a drippy or burst pipe. But a lot of the time, you can avoid blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to fix.

Here are some of the most common issues we field calls about at Atmostemp Service Experts and how you can avoid them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Even though they might be called “flushable wipes,” the ideal spot for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you rely on a septic system.

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes discovered they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper, they can clog 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 yucky things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, like cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. As well as being unhygienic and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are pricey to fix. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get shuffled to you in the future.

Whatever kind of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should go in the trash once you’re done.

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 involve:

In addition to wipes, these things can plug your sewer line and make your toilet run over, saddling you with a pricey (and gross) mess.

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Having drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they might do more harm than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can eat through rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets dissolve, they can plug the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your immediate answer could be to purchase a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should realize about these drain cleaners.

1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make strong fumes that can result in respiratory irritation. 
2. They can eat through your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, cracks and even failure. 
3. They’re bad for the environment. As you can imagine, these chemicals aren’t exactly good for the environment. 
4. They might not even unclog 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 due to the fact they often force the clog more into your plumbing until it leads to a big problem.

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

If you have a difficult clog that just won’t break up, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Atmostemp Service Experts is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s faster to have a pro do the job. That way, you’ll also skip causing damage to your pipes and a host of horrible issues like leaks, broken seals and unpleasant odors.

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

5. Getting Rid of Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a problem to pour a tiny bit of grease down your pipes. But over time, that grease can build up and clog your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and lead to a nasty fatberg like we discussed earlier.

To stop plumbing issues, drain the grease into a can. After it hardens, you can toss it in the garbage.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for getting rid of small food scraps. But it can’t break up everything. To prevent breakdowns or clogs, we advise 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 smells bad, you can revive it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have routine service. This service can help us discover little issues before they result in expensive problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we are on the lookout for involve:

If you do notice a problem, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it repaired right away before it grows bigger or leads to damage.

8. Making an Attempt to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own

When you are experiencing a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we suggest calling an Expert at Atmostemp Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or causes damage.

Repairing plumbing is a complex job that’s best left to professionals. There’s a reason why plumbers finish extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and making a costlier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

When it comes to your water heater, service and upkeep is best left to the pros. This includes draining it or examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t performed correctly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your residence.

Professional water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is running like it should. It also offers you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, because they usually only work for about 10 years.

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

When your home has a large water leak, it’s important to know where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This valve is often situated in a mechanical room near your water heater.

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

It’s also a smart idea to install 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 monitor water use and alert you via your phone if there’s a leak.

Whatever plumbing problem you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Atmostemp Service Experts are ready 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 finished like they should. Give us a call at 856-310-4824 to book your appointment today!