10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Quit Doing Immediately

Requiring a plumber in the U.S. can be unavoidable if you have a dripping or broken pipe. But a lot of the time, you can stop 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 issues our Experts get calls about at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and how you can stop them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be referred to 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 rely on a septic system.

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes learned none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can block 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 gross things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, such as cooking fat and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. Besides being unsanitary and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are pricey to repair. If you use a city sewer system, those are costs that could get assigned to you in the long run.

Whatever style 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 Trash

Other than 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

Like wipes, these things can block your sewer line and make your toilet run over, sticking you with a costly (and gross) mess.

3. Relying on Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Having drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a good way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they can cause more trouble than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets dissolve, they can clog the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your immediate response may be to buy a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should know about these drain cleaners.

1. 1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend 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, think about what they can do to your pipes: corrosion, fractures and even failure.

3. 3. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can determine, these formulas aren’t very environmentally friendly.

4. 4. They might not even unclog your drain. Regardless of all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s because they often force the clog further into your plumbing until it leads to a huge problem.

If you do require a drain cleaner, we suggest using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and bad odors. While they may take more time 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 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 an Expert finish the job. That way, you’ll also avoid breaking your pipes and a host of troublesome issues including leaks, nonworking seals and troublesome odors.

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

5. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It can seem like it’s not a issue to drain a small amount of grease down your drain. But as the years go by, that grease can grow and clog your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and lead to a gross fatberg like we discussed prior.

To skip plumbing issues, drain the grease into a container. After it hardens, you can toss it in the waste can.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for eliminating small food scraps. But it can’t get rid of everything. To prevent breakdowns or clogs, we advise 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 mix of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have regular service. This service can help us discover little issues before they lead to big problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we are on the lookout for entail:

• • Proper water pressure

• • Drippy or blocked pipes

• • Adequately operating supply lines and plumbing fixtures including sinks, tubs, showers and toilets

If you do see a problem, including a leaky sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it taken care of right away before it gets larger or results in damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we suggest calling an Expert at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for leak repair before it gets worse or causes damage.

Repairing plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best left to pros. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair on your own or hire a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and creating a pricier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Service Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

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

Professional water heater maintenance offers peace of mind that your water heater is operating right. It also gives you advance notice when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, since they typically only operate for about 10 years.

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your home has a large water leak, it’s important to be knowledgeable about 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 home:

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

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

If you’re are unsure about where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you find it.

It’s also a good idea to get a water leak protection system that will alert you and cut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even use a smart system to keep an eye on water use and notify you on your phone if there’s trouble.

Whatever plumbing problem you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are ready 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 finished right. Reach us at 866-397-3787 to request your appointment right away!