Ten Plumbing Mistakes Your Plumber Wants You to Stop Making Right Away

While plumbing emergencies are unpredictable, they are also preventable. You can prevent plenty of plumbing problems by quitting doing certain things. You can, for instance, prevent a clogged toilet by stopping flushing foreign objects down the toilet. You can also prevent costly repairs by not trying to repair your plumbing system yourself. Keep reading to learn ten mistakes your plumber wants you to stop making right away.

  1.     Throwing Everything into the Garbage Disposal 

Don’t put everything in the garbage disposal. The garbage disposal and trashcan have entirely different functions. The disposal grinds tiny food scraps. It cannot break down everything. To prevent clogs or breakdowns, you should stop throwing hard or fibrous food scraps, bones, onion, potato peels, grease, and other hard items into the garbage disposal. If the disposal is emitting an unpleasant smell, you can use citrus peels or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to clean it.

  1.     Flushing “Flushable” Wipes Down the Toilet 

Do not let the word “Flushable” fool you. Flushable wipes should not go down your toilet. Instead, they should go into your trash can. You should only flush things like human waste and toilet paper. You might also flush septic treatments if you have a septic system.

According to a study by Ontario-based Ryerson University, 101 flushable wipes tested failed a flushability test. Given that flushable wipes do not disintegrate enough, they are highly likely to clog your toilet or cause a sewer backup.

These wipes can damage your septic tank and interfere with the smooth operation of the city sewer systems. These wipes can also combine with other wrong things flushed down the toilet, such as grease and cooking oil, to form a fatberg.

Besides exposing you and your family to serious health risks, these fatbergs are costly to remove. If you depend on a city sewer system, these costs can reflect in your water bills. For these reasons, you should put flushable wipes into the trashcan.

  1.     Flushing Other Inappropriate Things 

Besides flushable wipes, things like feminine hygiene products, cotton wool, and cat litter should not go down the toilet. These things can easily clog your toilet or result in a sewer line backup. Like flushable wipes, these things should go into your trashcan.

  1.     Cleaning Your Toilet Bowl with Drop-in Cleaner Tablets 

Drop-in toilet cleaner tablets might seem like an effective way to ensure your toilet bowl is always clean. They can, however, damage your toilet down the road. These tabs usually contain chemicals like bleach that can corrode the tank’s rubber parts. The tabs can also clog the toilet as they dissolve.

  1.     Relying on Chemical Drain Cleaners  

Most people often use cheap chemical drain cleaners when dealing with clogged sinks. These chemicals sometimes end up worsening the already bad situation. They typically thrust the clog deeper into the plumbing system until it creates a big problem.

Chemical drain cleaners are a dangerous combination of chemicals that can irritate your eyes, skin, and respiratory system. They are also harmful to the environment.

If you must use a drain cleaner, go for an enzymatic one. An enzymatic cleaner contains bacteria and enzymes to remove clogs and nasty odors. It’s also safer for you, your plumbing system, and the environment.

If you are dealing with a persistent or hard-to-rich clog, consider involving an experienced plumber from teamemergencyplumber.com. The plumber has the requisite tools and skills to remove the clog while still leaving your plumbing system in good condition.

  1.     Draining Grease Down the Sink 

You might assume dumping a tiny amount of grease down your sink won’t cause any problem. With time, the grease can build up and obstruct your pipes. If it seeps into your sewer system, it can combine with flushable wipes and other wrong things flushed down the toilet to create an unpleasant fatberg as mentioned previously. To prevent plumbing problems, you should put the grease in a bowl and leave it to harden. Once it hardens, throw it into the trashcan with other wastes.

  1.     Attempting to Repair a Major Plumbing Problem Yourself 

Major plumbing issues, including fixing a burst pipe, leaking washing machine, and faulty water heater, should be left to a professional. You may waste time and create a costlier problem by fixing such plumbing problems yourself.

  1.     Not Keeping Up with Routine Plumbing System Inspection and Maintenance 

Your plumbing system requires regular inspection and maintenance by a qualified plumber to keep it functioning well. This service enables the plumber to identify minor issues and fix them before they can give rise to big problems. During the inspection and maintenance, the plumber ensures the water pressure is appropriate, pipes are free of leaks or clogs, and supply lines are functioning well.

  1.     Not Knowing the Location of Your Main Water Shutoff Valve 

Knowing the location of your main water valve and how to turn it off can prove helpful during a burst pipe or any other flooding-related emergency. You can often find this valve in a mechanical room close to your water heater. If you cannot locate it, call your plumber for assistance.

You can switch it off by turning it clockwise fully, especially if it has a wheel. If it features a lever handle, you can switch it off by moving the handle 90 degrees.

  1. Failing to Maintain Your Water Heater 

Your water heater helps you endure the chilly winter months by constantly supplying hot water. Taking good care of this plumbing fixture can go a long way in increasing its lifespan. Regular maintenance can help the water heater last for up to 10 years. A professional plumber should inspect and drain the tank at least once a year to remove sediment buildup that could cause clogs and malfunctions.

If you usually make these ten plumbing mistakes, you should quit immediately. That way, you will significantly lower your chances of facing a plumbing emergency. You will save money and time that would otherwise have gone to fixing plumbing issues.