10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Now

Needing a plumber in Calgary can be inevitable if you are dealing with a drippy or burst pipe. But many times, you can prevent plugging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to fix.

Here are some of the most common troubles our professionals field calls about at A1 Chesney Service Experts and how you can avoid them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Even though they might be called “flushable wipes,” the right spot for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you use a septic system.

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes discovered they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and cause your toilet to back up.

They can also wreak havoc on city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can conglomerate with other nasty things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, such as cooking fat and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. As well as being unhygienic and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are expensive to repair. If you use a city sewer system, those are expenses 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 be thrown in the trash once you’re finished.

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Trash

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

Along with wipes, these things can plug your sewer line and back up your toilet, saddling you with a costly (and gross) mess.

3. Relying on Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Having drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may do more harm than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, like bleach, which can wreck rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can plug the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your first response could be to buy an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners.

1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce severe 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 piping: corrosion, breaks and even failure. 
3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can determine, these formulas aren’t extremely good for the environment. 
4. They might not even work. Despite all the chemicals they pack, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a limited time. That’s due to the fact they often push the clog deeper into your plumbing until it results in a major problem.

If you do have to have a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and bad odors. While they could work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re safer for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you’re experiencing a strong clog that just won’t break up, calling 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 an Expert complete the job. That way, you’ll also prevent harming your pipes and a host of horrible issues including 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. Getting Rid of Grease Down Your Sink

It might seem like it’s not a big deal to pour a tiny bit of oil down your pipes. But over time, 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 create a nasty fatberg like we discussed previously.

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

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for breaking up little food scraps. But it can’t get rid of everything. To stop malfunctions 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 mix of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires annual service. This service can help us find little issues before they result in huge problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we are on the lookout for entail:

If you do find an issue, like a leaking sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it repaired without delay before it gets larger or leads to damage.

8. Making an Attempt to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own

When you are experiencing a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at A1 Chesney Service Experts for leak repair before it grows or causes damage.

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

9. Trying to Service 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 performed properly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your home.

Pro water heater maintenance offers peace of mind that your water heater is running right. It also offers you a heads-up when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, as they usually only last for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

When your home has a major water leak, it’s critical to know where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is often found in a mechanical room near your water heater.

If you’re still not sure where the valve is located, A1 Chesney Service Experts can help you find it.

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

Whatever plumbing trouble you’re faced with, our Expert plumbers at A1 Chesney Service Experts are available to provide support. 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. Give us a call at 587-315-5271 to book your appointment today!