The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Requiring a plumber in Columbus can be inevitable if you have a dripping or broken pipe. But the majority of times, you can stop clogging your pipes or requiring repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to fix.

Here are some of the most common issues our Experts field calls about at Stevenson Service Experts and how you can stop them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the ideal spot for them is the waste bin. The only thing that should be flushed (other than the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you have a septic system.

A Canadian study that tested 101 such wipes learned they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t break down 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 conglomerate with other nasty things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, including cooking fat and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Besides being unhygienic and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are expensive to fix. If you use a city sewer system, those are bills that could get assigned to you in the long run.

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

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Trash

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

Like wipes, these things can plug your sewer line and make your toilet run over, saddling you with a pricey (and gross) mess.

3. Relying on Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

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

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your first answer might be to buy a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners.

1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make strong fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation. 
2. They can eat through your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your pipes: corrosion, fractures and even failure. 
3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can determine, these substances aren’t extremely good for the environment. 
4. They might not even work. Regardless of all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s due to the fact they often move the clog further into your plumbing until it results in a major problem.

If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we suggest using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and bad odors. While they may work more slowly 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 go away, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Stevenson Service Experts is your best option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s simpler to have a professional complete the job. That way, you’ll also avoid harming your pipes and a host of troublesome issues such as leaks, broken seals and horrible 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. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It can seem like it’s not a problem to pour a small amount of fat down your drain. But as time passes, that grease can build up and clog your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and lead to a yucky fatberg like we discussed previously.

To skip plumbing troubles, drain the fat into a container. After it solidifies, you can dump it in the waste can.

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for breaking up tiny food scraps. But it can’t get rid of everything. To avoid problems 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 smells bad, you can revive it with citrus peels or a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Just like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs routine tune-ups. This service can help us discover minor issues before they result in huge problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we watch for involve:

If you do see an issue, such as a dripping sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it fixed immediately before it grows bigger or results in damage.

8. Making an Attempt to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we recommend calling an Expert at Stevenson Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or results in damage.

Repairing plumbing is a detailed job that’s best completed by pros. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair without help or call a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and having a more expensive problem.

9. Trying to Service Your Water Heater on Your Own

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 performed right, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your residence.

Professional water heater maintenance offers peace of mind that your water heater is working right. It also provides you advance notice when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, since they typically only work for about 10 years.

10. Not Realizing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your home has a major water leak, it’s important to be aware of where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is typically located in a mechanical room near your water heater.

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

It’s also a smart idea to get a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and cut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even get a smart system to keep an eye on water use and alert you on your phone if there’s a leak.

Whatever plumbing issue you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Stevenson 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 done right. Reach us at 614-334-3192 to request your appointment today!