10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Stop Doing Right Away
Having to have a plumber in Calgary can be unavoidable if you are dealing with a drippy or broken pipe. But many times, you can prevent clogging your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to repair.
Here are some of the most common issues our professionals field calls about at A1 Chesney Service Experts and how you can avoid them.
1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes
Although they might be called “flushable wipes,” the right spot 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 looked at 101 such wipes discovered they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up.
They can also wreak havoc on city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can combine with other gross things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, such as cooking grease and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. Besides being dirty and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are costly to repair. If you use a city sewer system, those are bills that could get shuffled to you in the long run.
No matter what style of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should go in the trash once you’re finished.
2. Flushing Other Things That Should Be Tossed in the Trash
Besides 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 plug 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 smart way to keep your toilet bowl sanitary, but they may do more harm than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can block the toilet and stop it from flushing.
4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners
If your sink is blocked, your initial response may be to get a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should know about these drain cleaners.
- They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make intense fumes that can result in respiratory irritation.
- They can eat through your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, imagine what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, cracks and even failure.
- They’re harmful to the environment. As you can figure out, these substances aren’t very environmentally friendly.
- They might not even work. Regardless of all the chemicals they pack, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a limited time. That’s because they often force the clog more into your plumbing until it creates a major problem.
If you do have to have a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and unpleasant odors. While they can require 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 dissolve, getting in touch with a professional plumber like A1 Chesney Service Experts is your smartest 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 avoid damaging your pipes and many other horrible issues like 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 might seem like it’s not a big deal to dump a tiny bit of fat down your drain. But as the years go by, that grease can accumulate and plug your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and lead to a yucky fatberg like we discussed earlier.
To prevent plumbing issues, drain the oil into a can. After it cools, you can dump it in the waste can.
6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything
Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for eliminating small amounts of food waste. But it can’t break up everything. To avoid problems or clogs, we suggest not putting these foods 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 freshen it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.
7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System
Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have regular service. This service can help us find little issues before they cause major problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we are on the lookout for include:
- Correct water pressure
- Drippy or clogged pipes
- Correctly operating 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 important to get it repaired right away before it becomes bigger or leads to damage.
8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own
When you have a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we recommend calling an Expert at A1 Chesney Service Experts for leak repair before it gets worse or causes damage.
Repairing plumbing is a complex job that’s best left to pros. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair yourself or hire a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and creating a costlier expensive problem.
9. Trying to Service Your Water Heater on Your Own
When it comes to your water heater, service and tune-ups are best left to the pros. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed correctly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your residence.
Experienced water heater maintenance offers peace of mind that your water heater is working properly. It also offers you a heads-up when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, as they typically only last for about 10 years.
10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is
In the event your house has a big water leak, it’s critical to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This valve is typically found in a mechanical room near your water heater.
Here’s how to turn off the main water valve in your home:
- If it has a wheel: circle it clockwise until you can’t anymore.
- If it has a lever: move it about a quarter of the way.
If you’re are unsure about where the valve is located, A1 Chesney Service Experts can help you find it.
It’s also a smart idea to have a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and turn off the water if there’s a problem. You can even get a smart system to watch water use and tell you via your phone if there’s a leak.
Whatever plumbing problem you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at A1 Chesney Service Experts are available to assist you. And we’ll stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were completed right. Contact us at 587-315-5271 to request your appointment today!
