Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing These 10 Things Now

Requiring a plumber in Fort Lauderdale can be necessary if you have a leaky or broken pipe. But many times, you can avoid blocking your pipes or requiring repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to take care of.

Here are some of the most common troubles our professionals receive calls about at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning and how you can avoid them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the right place for them is the waste bin. The only thing that should be flushed (except for the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you have a septic system.

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes learned they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can clog your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up.

They can also cause problems with city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can combine with other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, such as cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Along with being unhygienic and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are expensive to repair. If you’re on a city sewer system, those are costs that could get shuffled to you down the road.

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

2. Flushing Other Things That Belong in the Garbage

Other than flushable wipes, there are several other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These involve:

Like wipes, these things can clog your sewer line and overflow your toilet, sticking you with a costly (and icky) mess.

3. Relying on Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Relying on drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets dissolve, they can clog the toilet and stop it from flushing.

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your initial answer may be to purchase a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should realize about these drain cleaners.

1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic combination of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also create strong fumes that can result in respiratory irritation. 
2. They can eat away at your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your piping: corrosion, breaks and even failure. 
3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can figure out, these chemicals aren’t exactly good for the environment. 
4. They might not even unplug your drain. In spite of all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a limited time. That’s since they often move the clog further into your plumbing until it leads to a huge 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 take more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you’re experiencing a strong clog that just won’t break up, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is your best option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s easier to have a professional perform the job. That way, you’ll also skip harming your pipes and a wide variety of horrible issues like leaks, broken seals and horrible 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 problem to dump a little bit of grease down your pipes. But as time passes, that grease can build up and clog your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and develop a gross fatberg like we mentioned prior.

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

6. Turning to Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for getting rid of tiny amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To stop breakdowns or clogs, we suggest 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 has a bad smell, you can clean it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs routine service. This service can help us find minor issues before they result in major problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we check for entail:

If you do find an issue, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s important to get it taken care of immediately before it grows larger or causes damage.

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help

When you are experiencing a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we suggest calling an Expert at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for leak repair before it gets bigger or results in damage.

Fixing plumbing is a detailed job that’s best completed by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair without help or get a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and making a costlier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater on Your Own

When it comes to your water heater, service and maintenance is best left to the professionals. 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 residence.

Pro water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is operating properly. It also offers you advance notice when it’s time to start considering water heater replacement, as they usually only work for about 10 years.

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

In the event your home 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 typically located in a mechanical room near your water heater.

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

It’s also a smart idea to get a water leak protection system that will alert you and cut off the water if there’s a problem. You can even get a smart system to monitor water use and alert you through your phone if there’s a leak.

Whatever plumbing problem you’re faced with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are here to help you. And we’ll stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll have peace of mind that your repairs were done like they should. Reach us at 954-736-4314 to book your appointment today!