10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Quit Doing Immediately
Needing a plumber in Edmonton can be inevitable if you are experiencing a drippy or broken pipe. But many times, you can prevent blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to fix.
Here are some of the most frequent problems our professionals receive calls about at McKinley Heating Service Experts and how you can avoid them.
1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes
Even though they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the ideal place 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 examined 101 such wipes found they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and cause your toilet to back up.
They can also cause a lot of trouble to city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can attach to other nasty things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, such as cooking oil and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. As well as being unhygienic and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are expensive to repair. If you’re on a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get shuffled to you in the long run.
No matter what type of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be thrown in the trash once you’re complete.
2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Garbage
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
Along with wipes, these things can clog your sewer line and make your toilet run over, sticking you with an expensive (and gross) mess.
3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs
Having drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they might do more harm than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can wreck rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can block the toilet and stop it from flushing.
4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners
If your sink is blocked, your first answer could be to buy a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners.
- They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also create powerful fumes that can result in respiratory irritation.
- They can eat through your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your piping: corrosion, cracks and even failure.
- They’re not good for the environment. As you can determine, these substances aren’t very environmentally friendly.
- They might not even work. Regardless of all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s because they often force the clog more into your plumbing until it leads to a big problem.
If you do require a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and foul odors. While they can require more time 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 dissolve, calling a professional plumber like McKinley Heating Service Experts is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s faster to have a pro complete the job. That way, you’ll also avoid breaking your pipes and a host of bad issues like leaks, broken seals and troublesome odors.
After your drain is clear, 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 may seem like it’s not a issue to dump a small amount of grease down your sink. But as the years go by, that grease can build up and block your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and create a gross fatberg like we mentioned earlier.
To stop plumbing issues, drain the oil into a container. After it cools, you can toss it in the garbage.
6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything
Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for eliminating tiny bits of food. But it can’t get rid of everything. To avoid issues or clogs, we advise not putting these foods 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 freshen it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.
7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System
Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have routine service. This service can help us find small issues before they result in expensive problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we are on the lookout for include:
- Adequate water pressure
- Drippy or clogged pipes
- Properly functioning supply lines and plumbing fixtures like sinks, tubs, showers and toilets
If you do see an issue, like a dripping sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it taken care of immediately before it becomes worse or results in damage.
8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself
When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at McKinley Heating Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or causes damage.
Fixing plumbing is a detailed job that’s best completed by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair yourself or get a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and creating a costlier expensive problem.
9. Trying to Tune Up Your Water Heater Yourself
When it comes to your water heater, service and maintenance is best left to the professionals. This includes draining it or testing the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed properly, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your home.
Experienced water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is working right. It also gives you advance notice when it’s time to start considering water heater replacement, as they usually only operate for about 10 years.
10. Not Being Aware of Where the Water Main Shutoff Is
When your home has a large water leak, it’s important to know where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This valve is often located in a mechanical room near your water heater.
Here’s how to turn off the main water valve in your residence:
- If it has a wheel: turn it clockwise until you can’t anymore.
- If it has a lever: move it about a quarter of the way.
If you’re don’t know where the valve is located, McKinley Heating Service Experts can help you find it.
It’s also a smart idea to have a water leak protection system that will alert you and shut off the water if there’s a problem. You can even use a smart system to keep an eye on water use and notify you on your phone if there’s a problem.
Whatever plumbing problem you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at McKinley Heating Service Experts are ready to provide support. 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 like they should. Contact us at 780-800-7092 to schedule your appointment today!
