10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Right Away

Requiring 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 avoid clogging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to take care of. 

Here are some of the most frequent troubles our pros field 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 waste bin. The only thing that should be flushed (other than the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you rely on a septic system. 

A Canadian study that looked at 101 such wipes found they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can block your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing 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 lead to a fatberg. As well as being dirty and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are costly to get rid of. If you use a city sewer system, those are bills that could get assigned to you down the road. 

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 Should Go in the Trash

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

• Feminine hygiene products 
• Makeup remover pads 
• Cat litter 

Together with wipes, these things can plug your sewer line and back up your toilet, sticking you with an expensive (and nasty) mess. 

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs 

Having drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a great way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they can do more harm 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 keep it from flushing. 

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your first response could be to get an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should know about these drain cleaners. 

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

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

3. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can figure out, these substances aren’t extremely good 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 short time. That’s due to the fact they often push the clog deeper into your plumbing until it leads to a major problem. 

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

If you’re experiencing a tough clog that just won’t go away, calling 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 easier to have a pro do the job. That way, you’ll also skip damaging your pipes and a host of bad issues like leaks, nonworking seals and troublesome odors. 

After your drain is working like it should, keep it that way by using a screen to keep hair or food scraps from plugging it again. 

5. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a problem to drain a little bit of fat down your pipes. But as the years go by, that grease can accumulate and block your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and develop a nasty fatberg like we discussed previously. 

To skip plumbing woes, drain the fat into a can. After it hardens, you can dump it in the trash. 

6. Turning to Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for breaking up little amounts of food waste. But it can’t get rid of everything. To stop breakdowns or clogs, we recommend 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 mix 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 minor issues before they result in major problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we check for entail: 

• Correct water pressure  
• Dripping or blocked pipes  
• Adequately working supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets 

If you do spot a problem, including a leaking sink or pipe, it’s important to get it taken care of right away before it grows worse or causes damage. 

8. Making an Attempt to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

When you have 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 gets bigger or leads to damage. 

Mending plumbing is a detailed job that’s best left to specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and creating a more 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 done correctly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your house. 

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

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

When your house has a big water leak, it’s important to know where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is often found in a mechanical room near your water heater. 

Here’s how to shut 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: rotate 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 good idea to have a water leak protection system that will alert you and turn off the water if there’s a problem. You can even have a smart system to watch water use and notify you via your phone if there’s a leak. 

Whatever plumbing trouble 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 know that your repairs were done right. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule your appointment right away!