10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Stop Doing Now

Needing a plumber in the U.S. can be unavoidable if you have a dripping or ruptured pipe. But many times, you can stop clogging your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to repair.

Here are some of the most common troubles our plumbers receive calls about at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and how you can prevent them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Although they might be referred to as “flushable wipes,” the ideal spot for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (except for the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you have a septic system.

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

They can also wreak havoc on city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can attach to other yucky things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, such as cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Along with being dirty and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are pricey to repair. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are costs that could get shuffled to you down the road.

No matter what kind of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be tossed in the trash once you’re finished.

2. Flushing Other Things That Belong in the Waste Bin

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

• • Feminine hygiene products

• • Makeup remover pads

• • Cat litter

In addition to wipes, these things can block your sewer line and overflow your toilet, saddling you with an expensive (and gross) mess.

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Using drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, including bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can block the toilet and stop it from flushing.

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your immediate response might be to purchase a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should realize about these drain cleaners.

1. 1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic combination of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make powerful fumes that can result in respiratory irritation.

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

3. 3. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can figure out, these chemicals aren’t extremely good for the environment.

4. 4. They might not even unclog your drain. Despite all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s since they often push the clog more into your plumbing until it results in a huge problem.

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

If you have a tough clog that just won’t dissolve, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is your smartest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s faster to have an Expert perform the job. That way, you’ll also avoid damaging your pipes and a host of horrible issues like leaks, damaged seals and unpleasant odors.

After your drain is clear, keep it that way by installing 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 big deal to drain a tiny bit of oil down your sink. But as the years go by, that grease can grow and clog your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and create a nasty fatberg like we discussed previously.

To skip plumbing troubles, drain the oil into a bowl. After it solidifies, you can dump it in the garbage.

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for breaking up little bits of food. But it can’t break up everything. To avoid malfunctions or clogs, we suggest not putting these items 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 combination of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs routine maintenance. This service can help us spot minor issues before they cause major problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we watch for include:

• • Correct water pressure

• • Drippy or clogged pipes

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

If you do find an issue, including a leaking sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it fixed right away before it becomes worse or results in damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help

When you have a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we recommend calling an Expert at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for leak repair before it gets bigger or causes damage.

Mending plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best left to specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try to do water pipe repair without help or get a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and having a more 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 testing the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done properly, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your house.

Professional water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is working right. It also provides you a heads-up when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, as they often only operate for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

When your residence has a big water leak, it’s critical to know where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This valve is typically located in a mechanical room near your water heater.

Here’s how to shut off the main water valve in your house:

• • If it has a wheel: move it clockwise until you can’t anymore.

• • If it has a lever: move it about a quarter of the way.

If you’re still not sure where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you find it.

It’s also a wise idea to get a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and shut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even get a smart system to keep an eye on water use and tell you through your phone if there’s a leak.

Whatever plumbing problem you’re faced with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to assist you. And we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll be sure that your repairs were done correctly. Reach us at 866-397-3787 to request your appointment right away!