10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Now
Needing a plumber in Edmonton can be inevitable if you are dealing with a dripping or broken pipe. But a lot of the time, you can avoid blocking your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to fix.
Here are some of the most common problems our professionals field calls about at Rob's Albertan Service Experts and how you can avoid them.
1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes
Although they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the best spot for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (except for the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you use a septic system.
A Canadian study that tested 101 such wipes found they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can clog 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 combine with other nasty things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, including cooking fat and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Besides being unsanitary and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are expensive to get rid of. If you use a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get assigned to you in the long run.
Whichever style of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should go in the trash once you’re done.
2. Flushing Other Things That Should Be Tossed in the Garbage
Besides flushable wipes, there are a couple other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These cover:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Makeup remover pads
- Cat litter
In addition to wipes, these things can block your sewer line and overflow your toilet, leaving you with a pricey (and icky) mess.
3. Relying on Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs
Using drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a great way to keep your toilet bowl sanitary, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, including bleach, which can eat through rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can block the toilet and prevent it from flushing.
4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
If your sink is clogged, your immediate answer may be to get an inexpensive 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 cause respiratory irritation.
- They can eat away at your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your piping: corrosion, cracks and even failure.
- They’re not good for the environment. As you can imagine, these substances aren’t extremely good for the environment.
- They might not even unclog your drain. In spite of all the chemicals they include, 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 major problem.
If you do require a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and bad odors. While they could require 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 dissolve, calling a professional plumber like Rob's Albertan Service Experts is your smartest 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 harming your pipes and many other horrible issues including leaks, damaged seals and horrible odors.
After your drain is clear, keep it that way by having a screen to keep hair or food scraps from plugging it again.
5. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink
It could seem like it’s not a problem to pour a small amount of oil down your pipes. But over time, that grease can grow and plug your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and lead to a gross fatberg like we mentioned prior.
To avoid plumbing issues, drain the oil into a container. After it solidifies, you can dump it in the waste can.
6. Turning to Your Garbage Disposal for Everything
Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for breaking up small bits of food. But it can’t eliminate everything. To avoid issues or clogs, we advise not putting these things 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 smells bad, you can clean it with citrus peels or a combination of baking soda and vinegar.
7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System
Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires annual tune-ups. This service can help us discover small issues before they lead to major problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we check for entail:
- Ample water pressure
- Drippy or clogged pipes
- Correctly working supply lines and plumbing fixtures including sinks, tubs, showers and toilets
If you do see trouble, including a leaky sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it repaired right away before it gets larger or results in damage.
8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help
When you are experiencing a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at Rob's Albertan Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or causes damage.
Mending plumbing is a complex job that’s best left to specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair without help or hire a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and creating a pricier expensive problem.
9. Trying to Tune Up Your Water Heater Yourself
When it comes to your water heater, service and upkeep is best left to the pros. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done right, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your residence.
Pro water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is running like it should. It also gives you a heads-up when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, as they usually only operate for about 10 years.
10. Not Being Aware of Where the Water Main Shutoff Is
In the event your residence has a big water leak, it’s critical to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is usually 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: turn it clockwise until you can’t anymore.
- If it has a lever: rotate it about a quarter of the way.
If you’re are unsure about where the valve is located, Rob's Albertan Service Experts can help you find it.
It’s also a good idea to have a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and cut off the water if there’s a problem. You can even have a smart system to keep an eye on water use and notify you on your phone if there’s a problem.
Whatever plumbing trouble you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Rob's Albertan Service Experts are here to provide support. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were completed right. Contact us at 780-800-9047 to request your appointment today!