The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Requiring a plumber in East Syracuse can be necessary if you are dealing with a leaky or broken 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 expensive to repair.

Here are some of the most common troubles our professionals get calls about at Falso Service Experts and how you can avoid them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the best place for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (except for the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you use a septic system.

A Canadian study that tested 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 cause your toilet to back up.

They can also wreak havoc on city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can conglomerate with other yucky things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, such as cooking oil and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. In addition to being dirty and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are pricey to repair. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are costs that could get assigned 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

Other than flushable wipes, there are several other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These involve:

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

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Relying on drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a good way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, including bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can clog the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your first answer may be to buy a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners.

1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make intense fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation. 
2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your piping: corrosion, cracks and even failure. 
3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can imagine, these formulas aren’t very helpful for the environment. 
4. They might not even unplug your drain. Despite all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s since they often push the clog deeper into your plumbing until it creates 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 better for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you’re dealing with a difficult clog that just won’t dissolve, calling a professional plumber like Falso Service Experts is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s faster to have an Expert do the job. That way, you’ll also skip harming your pipes and a host of bad issues including leaks, nonworking seals and unpleasant odors.

After your drain is flowing freely, 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 can seem like it’s not a issue to pour a tiny bit of fat down your sink. But as time passes, that grease can build up and clog your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and lead to a yucky fatberg like we discussed earlier.

To prevent plumbing troubles, drain the fat into a bowl. After it hardens, you can throw it away in the trash.

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for getting rid of tiny bits of food. But it can’t get rid of everything. To prevent malfunctions or clogs, we suggest 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 clean it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have regular tune-ups. This service can help us discover minor issues before they cause huge problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we check for entail:

If you do notice trouble, including a leaking sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it repaired without delay before it gets larger or leads to damage.

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

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at Falso Service Experts for leak repair before it gets worse or leads to damage.

Fixing plumbing is a detailed job that’s best left to professionals. There’s a reason why plumbers finish extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try to do water pipe repair on your own or call a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and having a pricier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater on Your Own

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

Experienced water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is operating like it should. It also gives you advance notice when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, because they typically only operate for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

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

If you’re don’t know where the valve is located, Falso Service Experts can help you find it.

It’s also a smart idea to have a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and cut off the water if there’s a problem. You can even get a smart system to monitor water use and notify you on your phone if there’s a problem.

Whatever plumbing trouble you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Falso Service Experts are available to help you. And we’ll stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were finished correctly. Contact us at 315-313-6531 to schedule your appointment right away!