Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing These 10 Things Now

Having to have a plumber in Sharonville can be unavoidable if you are experiencing a drippy or broken pipe. But many times, you can prevent blocking your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair.

Here are some of the most frequent troubles our pros get calls about at Knochelmann Service Experts and how you can prevent them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be referred to as “flushable wipes,” the ideal location for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (other than the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you have a septic system.

A Canadian study that looked at 101 such wipes discovered they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper, they can clog your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing 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 be flushed down the toilet, like cooking oil and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. Along with being unhygienic and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are pricey to get rid of. If you use a city sewer system, those are bills that could get shuffled to you in the future.

Whatever style of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be tossed in the trash once you’re done.

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Be Tossed in the Trash

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

In addition to wipes, these things can block your sewer line and make your toilet run over, sticking you with a pricey (and gross) mess.

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Having drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl sanitary, but they may do more damage than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, like bleach, which can wreck rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can plug the toilet and stop it from flushing.

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your immediate response could be to purchase an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners.

1. They’re harmful. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce severe fumes that can result in respiratory irritation. 
2. They can eat away at your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your piping: corrosion, fractures and even failure. 
3. They’re bad for the environment. As you can figure out, these formulas aren’t very environmentally friendly. 
4. They might not even unclog your drain. Despite all the chemicals they pack, 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 leads to a big problem.

If you do have to have a drain cleaner, we suggest using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to get rid of clogs and unpleasant odors. While they could require more time 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 break up, calling a professional plumber like Knochelmann Service Experts is your best option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s simpler to have a pro complete the job. That way, you’ll also prevent causing damage to your pipes and many other horrible issues like leaks, broken seals and unpleasant 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. Getting Rid of Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a problem to pour a little bit of grease down your drain. But over time, that grease can accumulate and plug your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and create a gross fatberg like we mentioned earlier.

To avoid plumbing troubles, drain the oil into a container. After it solidifies, you can toss it in the garbage.

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for eliminating little amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To avoid breakdowns or clogs, we advise 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 is smelly, you can clean it with citrus peels or a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have annual service. This service can help us find small issues before they lead to major problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we check for include:

If you do spot trouble, such as a leaky sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it repaired right away before it gets bigger or causes damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

When you have a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at Knochelmann Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or causes damage.

Mending 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 try to do water pipe repair without help or hire a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and creating a costlier 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 pros. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done properly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your house.

Professional water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is working right. It also gives you a heads-up when it’s time to start considering water heater replacement, since they usually only work for about 10 years.

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

If your home has a major water leak, it’s essential to be knowledgeable about where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is typically found in a mechanical room near your water heater.

If you’re still not sure where the valve is located, Knochelmann Service Experts can help you find it.

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

Whatever plumbing problem you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Knochelmann Service Experts are here 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 done right. Reach us at 859-905-0834 to request your appointment now!