10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Stop Doing Immediately

Needing a plumber in the U.S. can be unavoidable if you are experiencing a dripping or broken pipe. But many times, you can avoid blocking your pipes or requiring repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to repair.

Here are some of the most frequent troubles our professionals field 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 known as “flushable wipes,” the best place for them is the trash. 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 found they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t break down 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 conglomerate with other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, like cooking grease and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. Besides being unhygienic and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are costly to repair. If you’re on a city sewer system, those are bills 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 go in the trash once you’re done.

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Waste Bin

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

• • Feminine hygiene products

• • Makeup remover pads

• • Cat litter

Along with wipes, these things can block your sewer line and back up your toilet, leaving you with an expensive (and icky) mess.

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

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

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is plugged, your initial answer may be to buy a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners.

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

2. 2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, breaks and even failure.

3. 3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can figure out, these formulas aren’t very environmentally friendly.

4. 4. They might not even work. In spite of all the chemicals they pack, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s due to the fact they often move the clog further into your plumbing until it results in a major problem.

If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and bad 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 go away, 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 easier to have a pro perform the job. That way, you’ll also avoid breaking your pipes and many other 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 may seem like it’s not a big deal to dump a little bit of fat down your sink. But as the years go by, that grease can build up and block your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and lead to a gross fatberg like we talked about earlier.

To prevent plumbing issues, drain the fat into a bowl. After it hardens, you can toss it in the trash.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for breaking up little bits of food. But it can’t get rid of 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 has a bad smell, you can revive 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 needs routine service. This service can help us spot minor issues before they result in expensive problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we are on the lookout for entail:

• • Adequate water pressure

• • Drippy or plugged pipes

• • Adequately functioning supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets

If you do see an issue, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it taken care of right away before it becomes bigger or causes damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own

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 gets worse 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 try to do water pipe repair yourself or call a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and making a more expensive problem.

9. Trying to Tune Up Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

When it comes to your water heater, service and tune-ups are best left to the professionals. This includes draining it or examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed correctly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your residence.

Pro water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is operating properly. It also offers you a heads-up when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, because they typically only work for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your home has a big water leak, it’s essential to be knowledgeable about where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is often situated 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: 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 get a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and shut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even get a smart system to keep an eye on water use and alert you via your phone if there’s a problem.

Whatever plumbing issue you’re dealing 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 finished like they should. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule your appointment right away!