Needing a plumber in the U.S. can be inevitable if you are dealing with a leaky or ruptured pipe. But a lot of the time, you can avoid plugging your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to fix.
Here are some of the most regular problems we receive calls about at Service Experts and how you can avoid them.
1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes
Even though they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the ideal location for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (except for the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you rely on a septic system.
A Canadian study that looked at 101 such wipes discovered none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper, they can plug 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 nasty things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, such as cooking oil and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. As well as being unsanitary and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are costly to fix. If you're on 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 thrown in the trash once you’re complete.
2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the trash
In addition to flushable wipes, there are several 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 plug your sewer line and overflow your toilet, saddling you with a pricey (and icky) mess.
3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs
Having drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a great way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can eat through rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can plug the toilet and stop it from flushing.
4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners
If your sink is plugged, your immediate answer could be to buy a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should realize about these drain cleaners.
- They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make severe fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation.
- They can eat through your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, cracks and even failure.
- They’re harmful to the environment. As you can determine, these substances aren’t exactly helpful for the environment.
- They might not even unplug your drain. In spite of all the chemicals they pack, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s since they often move the clog more into your plumbing until it creates a huge problem.
If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and bad odors. While they may take more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment.
If you have a strong clog that just won’t dissolve, calling a professional plumber like 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 professional do the job. That way, you’ll also prevent breaking your pipes and a wide variety of bad issues including leaks, broken seals and troublesome odors.
After your drain is working like it should, keep it that way by having 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 problem to dump a tiny bit of oil down your drain. But as time passes, that grease can build up and plug your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and lead to a nasty fatberg like we talked about prior.
To avoid plumbing troubles, drain the oil into a can. After it cools, you can dump it in the garbage.
6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything
Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for eliminating little bits of food. But it can’t eliminate everything. To avoid problems 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 blend of baking soda and vinegar.
7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System
Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs routine tune-ups. This service can help us find minor issues before they cause big problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we watch for include:
- Adequate water pressure
- leaky or blocked pipes
- Adequately functioning supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets
If you do spot trouble, such as a leaky sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it taken care of without delay before it gets worse or causes damage.
8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself
When you are experiencing a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it's important to call an Expert at Service Experts for leak repair before it grows or causes damage.
Fixing plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best done by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try to do water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, Since you could end up wasting time and having a costlier expensive problem.
9. Trying to Service Your Water Heater Yourself
When it comes to your water heater, service and upkeep is best left to the pros. This includes draining it or examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed properly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your residence.
Professional water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is working like it should. It also provides you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, Since they usually only last for about 10 years.
10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is
When your residence has a big water leak, it’s essential to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is usually situated in a mechanical room near your water heater.
Here’s how to switch off the main water valve in your residence:
- If it has a wheel: turn it clockwise until you can’t anymore.
- If it has a lever: move it about a quarter of the way.
If you’re still not sure where the valve is located, Service Experts can help you find it.
It’s also a smart idea to get a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and turn off the water if there’s trouble. You can even get a smart system to watch water use and notify you via your phone if there’s a problem.
Whatever plumbing problem you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts are ready to assist you. And we’ll support our work with a Service Experts Guarantee*, so you’ll have peace of mind that your repairs were finished right. Give us a call at (866) 963-7996 to request your appointment right away!
