10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Stop Doing Now

Requiring a plumber in Denver can be unavoidable if you have a dripping or burst pipe. But the majority of times, you can stop clogging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to take care of. 

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

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the best location for them is the garbage. 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 looked at 101 such wipes learned none of them passed 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 cause a lot of trouble to 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 grease and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. Besides being unhygienic and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are pricey to get rid of. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get passed on to you down the road. 

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

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 involve: 

• Feminine hygiene products 
• Makeup remover pads 
• Cat litter 

Together with wipes, these things can clog your sewer line and make your toilet run over, leaving you with an expensive (and icky) mess. 

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs 

Having drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a good way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can eat through rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can block the toilet and prevent it from flushing. 

4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your first response might be to purchase an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners. 

1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce strong 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 plumbing: corrosion, cracks and even failure.  

3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can figure out, these chemicals aren’t very environmentally friendly.  

4. They might not even unclog your drain. Despite all the chemicals they pack, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s since they often move the clog further into your plumbing until it leads to a huge problem. 

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

If you’re dealing with a tough clog that just won’t go away, contacting a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s faster to have an Expert perform the job. That way, you’ll also avoid damaging your pipes and a wide variety of troublesome issues such as leaks, nonworking seals and troublesome odors. 

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

5. Getting Rid of Grease Down Your Sink

It might seem like it’s not a big deal to drain a tiny bit of oil down your drain. But over time, that grease can build up and clog your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and lead to a nasty fatberg like we talked about previously. 

To avoid plumbing issues, drain the oil into a bowl. After it hardens, you can throw it away in the garbage. 

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for breaking up tiny bits of food. But it can’t break up everything. To stop malfunctions or clogs, we recommend 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 mix of baking soda and vinegar. 

7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires routine maintenance. This service can help us spot little issues before they result in big problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we check for entail: 

• Proper water pressure  
• Leaky or clogged pipes  
• Adequately functioning supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets 

If you do find trouble, such as a dripping sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it repaired immediately before it gets larger or results in damage. 

8. Trying to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help

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

Fixing plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best left to pros. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try to do water pipe repair yourself or get a handyman, since you could end up wasting time and making a costlier expensive problem. 

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

When it comes to your water heater, service and maintenance is best left to the specialists. This includes draining it or testing the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done correctly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your residence. 

Experienced water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is running right. It also offers you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, since they typically only last for about 10 years. 

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your residence has a large water leak, it’s essential to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is typically situated in a mechanical room near your water heater. 

Here’s how to switch off the main water valve in your residence: 

• If it has a wheel: circle it clockwise until you can’t anymore.  
• If it has a lever: turn it about a quarter of the way. 

If you’re are unsure about where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you find it. 

It’s also a smart idea to install 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 keep an eye on water use and alert you through your phone if there’s trouble. 

Whatever plumbing problem you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 completed right. Give us a call at 303-647-5853 to book your appointment right away!