The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Having to have a plumber in Fort Myers can be inevitable if you are dealing with a leaky or ruptured pipe. But a lot of the time, you can prevent blocking your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to fix.

Here are some of the most frequent problems our Experts receive calls about at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning and how you can stop them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the ideal location for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you rely on a septic system.

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes discovered they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can block your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up.

They can also cause a lot of trouble to city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can attach to other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, including cooking fat and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. As well as being dirty and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are pricey to get rid of. If you use a city sewer system, those are costs that could get assigned to you in the long run.

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

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Be Tossed in the Trash

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

Together with wipes, these things can block your sewer line and back up your toilet, sticking you with an expensive (and gross) mess.

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

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

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your initial reaction could be to get an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners.

1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make intense fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation. 
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. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can figure out, these chemicals aren’t very good for the environment. 
4. They might not even unplug your drain. Regardless of all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s because they often move the clog more into your plumbing until it creates a major problem.

If you do require a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and unpleasant odors. While they could work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you’re dealing with a strong clog that just won’t go away, 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 pro perform the job. That way, you’ll also prevent causing damage to your pipes and a wide variety of horrible issues such as 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 blocking it again.

5. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a issue to drain a little bit of grease down your drain. But as the years go by, that grease can accumulate and plug your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and lead to a yucky fatberg like we talked about earlier.

To prevent plumbing troubles, drain the grease into a can. After it cools, you can toss it in the garbage.

6. Turning to Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for breaking up small amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To avoid problems or clogs, we recommend 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 freshen 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 discover small issues before they lead to huge problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we are on the lookout for entail:

If you do find trouble, including a dripping sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it repaired immediately before it grows larger or results in damage.

8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help

When you are dealing with 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 causes damage.

Mending plumbing is a complex job that’s best completed by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try to do water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and creating 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 pros. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done correctly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your residence.

Professional water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is running properly. It also provides you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, as they typically only work for about 10 years.

10. Not Being Aware of Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your home has a big water leak, it’s critical 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.

If you’re don’t know where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 cut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even have a smart system to keep an eye on water use and alert you through your phone if there’s a problem.

Whatever plumbing trouble you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are available 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 completed like they should. Give us a call at 239-908-6991 to schedule your appointment now!