10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Quit Doing Right Away

Having to have a plumber in the U.S. can be necessary if you are dealing with a leaky or burst pipe. But a lot of the time, you can prevent clogging your pipes or requiring repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to repair. 

Here are some of the most frequent troubles our plumbers 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 called “flushable wipes,” the right 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 rely on a septic system. 

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

They can also cause a lot of trouble to city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can combine with other yucky things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, such as cooking oil and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. As well as being unsanitary and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are expensive to get rid of. If you’re on a city sewer system, those are costs that could get passed on to you down the road. 

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

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Garbage

In addition to 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 

Together with wipes, these things can clog your sewer line and overflow your toilet, sticking you with a costly (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 can cause more trouble than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can wreck rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can plug the toilet and prevent it from flushing. 

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your initial response could be to purchase a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners. 

  1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make intense fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation.  
  1. They can eat away at your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, cracks and even failure.  
  1. They’re bad for the environment. As you can figure out, these chemicals aren’t very environmentally friendly.  
  1. They might not even unplug your drain. In spite of all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s since they often force the clog deeper into your plumbing until it creates a big problem. 

If you do have to have a drain cleaner, we suggest using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners use bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and unpleasant odors. While they could take more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re better for you, your plumbing and the environment. 

If you’re experiencing a difficult clog that just won’t dissolve, contacting 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 faster to have a pro complete the job. That way, you’ll also skip causing damage to your pipes and a host of horrible issues such as leaks, nonworking seals and unpleasant odors. 

After your drain is flowing freely, keep it that way by installing a screen to keep hair or food scraps from plugging it again. 

5. Getting Rid of Grease Down Your Sink

It might seem like it’s not a problem to pour a tiny bit of grease down your drain. But over time, that grease can accumulate and plug your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and create a yucky fatberg like we talked about earlier. 

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

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for breaking up little amounts of food waste. But it can’t get rid of everything. To avoid 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 is smelly, you can clean it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar. 

7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs routine tune-ups. This service can help us spot minor issues before they cause major problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we watch for include: 

  • Ample water pressure  
  • Dripping or clogged pipes  
  • Correctly working supply lines and plumbing fixtures including sinks, tubs, showers and toilets 

If you do spot trouble, such as a dripping sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it taken care of without delay before it gets worse or causes damage. 

8. Making an Attempt to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own

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 grows or results in damage. 

Mending plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best left to specialists. 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, since you could end up wasting time and creating a more expensive problem. 

9. Trying to Service 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 performed correctly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your house. 

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

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

In the event your home has a big water leak, it’s important to know where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is often located in a mechanical room near your water heater. 

Here’s how to switch off the main water valve in your home: 

  • 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 are unsure about where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 trouble. You can even have a smart system to keep an eye on water use and alert you on your phone if there’s a leak. 

Whatever plumbing trouble you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are ready to help you. And we’ll stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll be sure that your repairs were finished right. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to request your appointment today! 

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