10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Immediately

Having to have a plumber in the U.S. can be inevitable if you are dealing with a dripping or burst pipe. But the majority of times, you can prevent clogging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to repair.

Here are some of the most regular troubles our Experts 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 called “flushable wipes,” the best 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 rely on a septic system.

A Canadian study that looked at 101 such wipes learned none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can clog your sewer line and make your toilet back up.

They can also cause problems with city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can combine with other yucky things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, such as cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. In addition to being dirty and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are costly to repair. If you’re on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get shuffled to you in the long run.

No matter what 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 Should Go in the Trash

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

• • Feminine hygiene products

• • Makeup remover pads

• • Cat litter

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

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

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

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your immediate reaction might be to buy a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should realize about these drain cleaners.

1. 1. They’re harmful. 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.

2. 2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, fractures and even failure.

3. 3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can figure out, these formulas aren’t very helpful for the environment.

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 force the clog deeper into your plumbing until it leads to a huge problem.

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

If you’re dealing with a difficult clog that just won’t go away, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is your best option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s faster to have a professional perform the job. That way, you’ll also skip harming your pipes and a wide variety of troublesome issues including leaks, nonworking seals and unpleasant odors.

After your drain is clear, keep it that way by using 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 issue to drain a small amount of oil down your pipes. But as the years go by, that grease can accumulate and block 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 grease into a container. After it cools, you can throw it away in the trash.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for breaking up little amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To stop 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 has a bad smell, you can clean it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have regular maintenance. This service can help us discover little issues before they cause expensive problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we are on the lookout for involve:

• • Correct water pressure

• • Drippy or clogged pipes

• • Properly functioning supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets

If you do find an issue, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s important to get it repaired right away before it becomes worse or leads to damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

When you are experiencing 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 grows or causes damage.

Repairing plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best left to professionals. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair yourself or hire a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and having a pricier 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 specialists. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t performed properly, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your residence.

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

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

When your home has a big water leak, it’s essential to know where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is usually situated in a mechanical room near your water heater.

Here’s how to switch off the main water valve in your residence:

• • If it has a wheel: move 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 good idea to install a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and turn off the water if there’s a problem. You can even get a smart system to watch water use and tell you via your phone if there’s trouble.

Whatever plumbing issue you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here 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 done right. Give us a call at 866-397-3787 to schedule your appointment right away!