The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Needing a plumber in Mobile can be necessary if you have a leaky or broken pipe. But the majority of times, you can prevent blocking your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair.

Here are some of the most frequent troubles our pros field calls about at Climate Control Service Experts and how you can avoid them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

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

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes found they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can clog 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 yucky things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, such as cooking fat and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. As well as being unsanitary and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are pricey to get rid of. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get assigned to you in the future.

Whatever style of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be tossed in the trash once you’re finished.

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Be Tossed in the Trash

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

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

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

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

4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

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

1. They’re harmful. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make powerful fumes that can cause respiratory irritation. 
2. They can eat away at your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, imagine what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, cracks and even failure. 
3. They’re bad for the environment. As you can figure out, these chemicals aren’t very good for the environment. 
4. They might not even unplug your drain. In spite of all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s due to the fact they often move the clog more into your plumbing until it creates 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 eliminate clogs and foul odors. While they could work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re better for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you’re experiencing a tough clog that just won’t go away, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Climate Control Service Experts is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s easier to have a professional finish the job. That way, you’ll also prevent causing damage to your pipes and a host of troublesome issues like leaks, damaged seals and troublesome odors.

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

5. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a problem to pour a small amount of fat down your pipes. But over time, that grease can accumulate and clog your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and create a yucky fatberg like we discussed earlier.

To stop plumbing woes, drain the oil into a container. After it cools, you can dump it in the garbage.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for getting rid of tiny amounts of food waste. But it can’t get rid of everything. To prevent problems or clogs, we advise not putting these items 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 is smelly, 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 needs regular tune-ups. This service can help us discover minor issues before they result in big problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we watch for involve:

If you do find a problem, such as a dripping sink or pipe, it’s important to get it taken care of immediately before it gets bigger or results in damage.

8. Attempting 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 Climate Control Service Experts for leak repair before it grows or results in damage.

Mending plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best done by professionals. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair yourself or call a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and having a costlier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Tune Up Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

When it comes to your water heater, service and upkeep is best left to the specialists. This includes draining it or examining the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed properly, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your residence.

Professional water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is running like it should. It also provides you a heads-up when it’s time to start considering water heater replacement, because they often only work for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your house has a big water leak, it’s important to know where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This valve is usually situated in a mechanical room near your water heater.

If you’re are unsure about where the valve is located, Climate Control Service Experts can help you find it.

It’s also a good idea to install a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and shut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even have 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 Climate Control 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 done correctly. Contact us at 251-202-7503 to schedule your appointment now!