These Are Things Your Plumber Wants You to Avoid To Keep Your Plumbing System Functional
In North America, a burst or a dripping pipe may necessitate the services of a plumber. However, you can frequently avoid clogging your pipes or needing to service your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair.
Here are some of the most common problems our plumbers get calls about, along with advice on how to avoid them.
-
Flushing "Flushable" Wipes:
Despite their name, garbage bins are the best place to put "flushable" wipes. Except for the obvious, only toilet paper and septic treatments—if you use a septic system—should be flushed.
They may potentially seriously harm your septic tank or the city sewer systems. These wipes can stick to other items that shouldn't be flushed down the toilet, like hygiene items and cooking oil, and create a fatberg. These masses are pricey to fix in addition to being unhygienic and generally gross. If you use the public sewer system, those expenses can eventually be passed down to you.
Regardless of the sort of wipe you are using—cleansing, baby, sanitizing, or makeup removal—it should be disposed of after use.
-
Disposing of Other Items That Belong in the Trash
There are a few additional items that shouldn't be flushed down the toilet in addition to flushable wipes. These consist of:
- Items for feminine hygiene
- Makeup removing wipes
- Cat Litter
These items, together with wipes, can clog your sewer system and cause your toilet to overflow, leaving you with an expensive (and unpleasant) disaster.
-
Inserting Tabs of Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
While using drop-in toilet fresheners to maintain the fragrance of your toilet bowl may seem like a nice idea, they may really cause more harm than good. These tablets frequently contain substances like bleach that can damage the rubber components of the tank. Additionally, as the tablets dissolve, they may clog the toilet and stop it from flushing.
-
Making use of chemical drain cleaners
If your sink is clogged, you might reach for a cheap liquid drain cleaner right away. You should be aware of a few things regarding these drain cleaners, though.
- They are dangerous. Drain cleaners contain a hazardous mixture of chemicals that can cause skin and eye burns. They also produce strong fumes that might irritate the respiratory system.
- Your pipes could be eaten through by them. Consider the damage these cleaners could cause to your plumbing, including corrosion, cracks, and even failure, if they can burn your flesh.
- They harm the ecosystem in negative ways. These chemicals are not particularly eco-friendly, as you can see.
- They may fail to even clear your drain. Despite the numerous ingredients they contain, drain cleaners occasionally just partially or never operate. That's because they frequently push the obstruction further into your plumbing, where it eventually causes a serious issue.
We advise utilizing an enzymatic cleaning if you do need to use a drain cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners remove blockages and bad odors by using bacteria and enzymes. They might take longer to work than a chemical-based cleaner, but they're also better for the environment, your plumbing, and you.
The best course of action for drain cleaning is to call a qualified plumber if you have a stubborn blockage that just won't go away. Although you could rent a plumbing snake or drain auger, hiring a pro would be more efficient. By doing this, you'll also avoid damaging your pipes and a range of negative problems including leaks, broken seals, and offensive odors.
Once your drain is functioning properly, maintain it by installing a screen to prevent hair or food scraps from clogging it once more.
-
Cleaning out your sink with grease
Pouring a small amount of oil down your sink might not seem like a huge problem. However, over time, that grease may swell and clog your pipes. If the grease seeps into the sewer system, flushable wipes can accumulate and create the unsightly fatberg that we previously discussed.
Drain the grease into a container to avoid plumbing troubles. You can dispose of it in the trash after it cools.
-
Putting everything into your garbage disposal
For getting rid of little food bits, use your garbage disposal. It cannot, however, break up everything. We advise against putting the following things down your garbage disposal to avoid problems or clogs:
- Espresso grinds
- Bread, oats, rice, and pasta
- Bones, seeds, nuts, and pits
- Eggshells
- Peels of potatoes and onions
- Fruits and vegetables with fibers
- Grease
You can freshen the odor of your garbage disposal by using citrus peels or a solution of baking soda and vinegar.
-
Neglecting to maintain your plumbing system
Your plumbing needs regular repair, just like your heating and cooling system does. This service can assist you in identifying minor concerns before they develop into costly difficulties, such as a severe water leak. Among the issues we look out for are:
- sufficient water pressure
- blocked or leaky pipes
It's crucial to have any problems corrected right away before they worsen or cause damage, such as a leaky pipe or sink.
-
Attempting to Repair Your Plumbing Without Expert Assistance
We advise contacting an expert for leak repair when dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine before it gets worse or causes damage.
Plumbing repair is a challenging task that is best left to experts. There is a good reason why plumbers go through rigorous licensure and certification processes. Avoid doing water pipe repair yourself or hiring a handyman because you risk losing time and creating a more expensive problem.
-
Attempting to repair your water heater on your own
Service and maintenance on your water heater are best left to the experts. It can be drained or the temperature and pressure valve tested. If this isn't done properly, you risk flooding your home or burning yourself with hot water.
Professional water heater maintenance ensures that your water heater is operating as it should, giving you peace of mind. Additionally, it alerts you in advance when it's time to start thinking about replacing your water heater because they typically only last 10 years.
-
Ignoring the location of the water main shutoff
Knowing where and how to operate the main water valve will be crucial if your house suffers a significant water leak. This valve is often located close to your water heater in a mechanical area.
Here's how to close your home's main water valve:
- If there is a wheel, go around it anticlockwise until you can no longer.
- If there is a lever, turn it about one-fourth of the way.
We will assist you in locating the valve if you are unsure of its location.
Installing a water leak protection system that will notify you and turn off the water if there is a problem is also a good option. Even better, you may utilize a smart system to keep an eye on water usage and notify you via phone if there are any issues.
Our expert plumbers at are available to help you with any plumbing issue you may be experiencing. We'll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee so you can be sure the repairs were done correctly. Call us right away to make an appointment!
