10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Quit Doing Now

Needing a plumber in Miami can be inevitable if you have a drippy or broken pipe. But many times, you can prevent plugging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair.

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

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Even though they might be referred to as “flushable wipes,” the ideal spot 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 tested 101 such wipes found they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can clog your sewer line and make your toilet back up.

They can also cause a lot of trouble to city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can conglomerate with other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, like cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Along with being dirty and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are expensive to fix. If you use a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get shuffled to you in the long run.

No matter what kind 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

Besides flushable wipes, there are a couple other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These cover:

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

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Having drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a great way to keep your toilet bowl sanitary, but they might do more damage than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets dissolve, they can plug the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is plugged, your first response could be to purchase an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should know about these drain cleaners.

1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also create severe fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation. 
2. They can eat through your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, imagine what they can do to your pipes: corrosion, cracks and even failure. 
3. They’re bad for the environment. As you can figure out, these formulas aren’t very good for the environment. 
4. They might not even work. In spite of 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 move the clog deeper into your plumbing until it leads to a major problem.

If you do have to have a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and unpleasant odors. While they can take more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you have a tough clog that just won’t break up, contacting a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is your smartest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s easier to have an Expert do the job. That way, you’ll also skip damaging your pipes and a wide variety of bad issues including leaks, broken seals and horrible odors.

After your drain is flowing freely, keep it that way by using a screen to keep hair or food scraps from clogging it again.

5. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink

It could seem like it’s not a big deal to drain a small amount of grease down your sink. But as time passes, that grease can build up and plug your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and develop a gross fatberg like we talked about prior.

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

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for getting rid of tiny amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To avoid issues 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 clean it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

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

If you do spot a problem, including a leaking sink or pipe, it’s important to get it taken care of immediately before it grows worse or causes damage.

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

When you have a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for leak repair before it grows or causes damage.

Repairing plumbing is a complex job that’s best done by pros. There’s a reason why plumbers finish extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, since you could end up wasting time and making a more expensive problem.

9. Trying to Service Your Water Heater Yourself

When it comes to your water heater, service and tune-ups are best left to the specialists. This includes draining it or examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t performed properly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your home.

Professional water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is running like it should. It also provides you advance notice when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, because they usually only run for about 10 years.

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your residence has a large water leak, it’s important to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is often found 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 good idea to have a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and cut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even get a smart system to monitor water use and tell you through your phone if there’s trouble.

Whatever plumbing trouble you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are here 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 finished like they should. Reach us at 305-440-1505 to schedule your appointment right away!