Needing a plumber in the U.S. can be inevitable if you are experiencing a drippy or ruptured pipe. But a lot of the time, you can stop plugging your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to take care of.
Here are some of the most frequent troubles our pros field calls about at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and how you can avoid them.
Although they might be called “flushable wipes,” the right spot for them is the trash. 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 discovered none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can block your sewer line and make your toilet 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 flushed down the toilet, such as cooking fat and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. Besides being dirty and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are expensive to repair. If you use a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get passed on to you in the long run.
Whichever kind of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be thrown in the trash once you’re done.
In addition to flushable wipes, there are a couple other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These cover:
In addition to wipes, these things can plug your sewer line and back up your toilet, saddling you with an expensive (and icky) mess.
Having drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a good way to keep your toilet bowl sanitary, but they can do more damage than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, like bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can block the toilet and keep it from flushing.
If your sink is blocked, your first response might be to get a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should realize about these drain cleaners.
If you do have to have a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners use bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and unpleasant odors. While they might work more slowly 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, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 prevent breaking your pipes and a wide variety of bad issues such as leaks, broken seals and horrible odors.
After your drain is clear, keep it that way by using a screen to keep hair or food scraps from blocking it again.
It may seem like it’s not a issue to dump a little bit of oil down your pipes. But as time passes, that grease can accumulate and plug your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and lead to a nasty fatberg like we mentioned previously.
To avoid plumbing woes, drain the oil into a bowl. After it solidifies, you can toss it in the garbage.
Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for getting rid of small amounts of food waste. But it can’t eliminate everything. To avoid issues or clogs, we advise not putting these foods down your garbage disposal:
If your garbage disposal is smelly, you can revive it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.
Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires annual tune-ups. This service can help us spot minor issues before they lead to big problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we check for involve:
If you do notice trouble, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it fixed right away before it gets worse or leads to damage.
When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we suggest calling an Expert at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for leak repair before it gets worse or causes damage.
Mending plumbing is a detailed job that’s best completed by professionals. There’s a reason why plumbers finish extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair without help or get a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and creating a pricier expensive problem.
When it comes to your water heater, service and maintenance is best left to the pros. This includes draining it or testing the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t performed right, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your home.
Experienced water heater maintenance offers peace of mind that your water heater is working right. It also gives you advance notice when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, since they usually only work for about 10 years.
When your house has a big water leak, it’s essential to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is usually situated in a mechanical room near your water heater.
Here’s how to turn off the main water valve in your house:
If you’re don’t know where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you find it.
It’s also a good idea to have a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and cut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even use a smart system to monitor water use and alert you through your phone if there’s a leak.
Whatever plumbing problem you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to help you. And we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were completed right. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to request your appointment today!
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