Having to have a plumber in the U.S. can be necessary if you are experiencing a leaky or burst pipe. But a lot of the time, you can prevent blocking your pipes or requiring repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to take care of.
Here are some of the most frequent issues our pros get calls about at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and how you can prevent them.
Although they might be called “flushable wipes,” the right location for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (except for the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you rely on a septic system.
A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes found they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can block your sewer line and cause your toilet to back up.
They can also cause problems with city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can attach to other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, such as cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Along with being unhygienic and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are expensive to fix. If you use a city sewer system, those are costs that could get passed on to you in the long run.
Whatever style 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 few other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These involve:
In addition to wipes, these things can block your sewer line and overflow your toilet, saddling you with a pricey (and gross) mess.
Relying on drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can eat through rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets dissolve, they can clog the toilet and prevent it from flushing.
If your sink is blocked, your initial response could be to get a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners.
If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and foul odors. While they may take more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re better for you, your plumbing and the environment.
If you’re experiencing a difficult clog that just won’t break up, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is your best option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s easier to have a pro complete the job. That way, you’ll also skip breaking your pipes and many other bad issues like leaks, broken seals and horrible 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.
It might seem like it’s not a issue to dump a small amount of fat down your pipes. But as the years go by, that grease can build up and block your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and create a yucky fatberg like we mentioned earlier.
To avoid plumbing issues, drain the oil into a container. After it solidifies, you can throw it away in the waste can.
Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for breaking up tiny amounts of food waste. But it can’t get rid of everything. To prevent problems or clogs, we recommend not putting these things down your garbage disposal:
If your garbage disposal has a bad smell, you can freshen it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.
Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have routine service. This service can help us spot minor issues before they cause huge problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we are on the lookout for entail:
If you do spot a problem, like a leaking sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it repaired without delay before it gets larger or results in damage.
When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we recommend calling an Expert at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for leak repair before it gets worse or results in damage.
Mending 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 to do water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and creating a more expensive problem.
When it comes to your water heater, service and upkeep is best left to the specialists. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed right, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your home.
Experienced water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is operating properly. It also gives you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, as they often only work for about 10 years.
In the event your residence has a major 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 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 wise idea to have a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and shut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even have a smart system to monitor water use and tell you through your phone if there’s trouble.
Whatever plumbing issue you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are available to help you. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll have peace of mind that your repairs were completed correctly. Reach us at 866-397-3787 to schedule your appointment today!
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