10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Quit Doing Immediately

Needing a plumber in the U.S. can be inevitable if you have a leaky or ruptured pipe. But many times, you can avoid plugging your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair. 

Here are some of the most regular issues we get calls about at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and how you can stop them. 

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Although they might be known 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 use a septic system. 

A Canadian study that tested 101 such wipes discovered they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and cause your toilet to back up. 

They can also cause problems with city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can attach to other gross things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, including cooking oil and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. Besides being dirty and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are pricey to fix. If you’re on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get assigned to you in the future. 

Whichever type 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 Waste Bin

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

  • Feminine hygiene products 
  • Makeup remover pads 
  • Cat litter 

In addition to wipes, these things can block your sewer line and back up your toilet, saddling you with a pricey (and gross) mess. 

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs 

Having drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a good way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can wreck rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can block the toilet and prevent it from flushing. 

4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your first reaction might be to purchase a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners. 

  1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also create severe fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation.  
  1. 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.  
  1. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can imagine, these chemicals aren’t very environmentally friendly.  
  1. 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 due to the fact they often push the clog further into your plumbing until it creates a major problem. 

If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners use bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and foul odors. While they can work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment. 

If you have a difficult clog that just won’t dissolve, calling 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 easier to have a professional complete the job. That way, you’ll also skip damaging your pipes and a wide variety of horrible issues including leaks, nonworking seals and horrible odors. 

After your drain is flowing freely, keep it that way by installing a screen to keep hair or food scraps from blocking it again. 

5. Getting Rid of Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a issue to pour a little bit of grease down your drain. But as time passes, that grease can accumulate and plug your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and develop a yucky fatberg like we discussed earlier. 

To avoid plumbing troubles, drain the fat into a container. After it hardens, you can dump it in the garbage. 

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for getting rid of small food scraps. But it can’t get rid of everything. To avoid 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 smells bad, you can freshen 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 routine service. This service can help us find small issues before they cause big problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we watch for include: 

  • Proper water pressure  
  • Drippy or clogged pipes  
  • Correctly working supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets 

If you do find a problem, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it taken care of right away before it becomes worse or causes damage. 

8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

When you are dealing with 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 a detailed job that’s best done by pros. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair yourself or call a handyman, since you could end up wasting time and having a more expensive problem. 

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater Yourself

When it comes to your water heater, service and upkeep is best left to the pros. This includes draining it or testing the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done right, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your house. 

Pro water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is working properly. It also provides you a heads-up when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, as they usually only run for about 10 years. 

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

When your residence has a major water leak, it’s important 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 turn off the main water valve in your house: 

  • If it has a wheel: circle it clockwise until you can’t anymore.  
  • If it has a lever: move 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 wise idea to install a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and shut off the water if there’s a problem. You can even use a smart system to watch water use and alert you through your phone if there’s a leak. 

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

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