The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Having to have a plumber in Jacksonville can be inevitable if you are experiencing a drippy or burst pipe. But many times, you can avoid blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to fix.

Here are some of the most regular troubles we receive calls about at Air Engineers Service Experts and how you can prevent them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

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

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes found they all didn’t pass a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t dissolve 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 go down the toilet, including cooking oil and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. Along with being unhygienic and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are expensive to get rid of. If you use a city sewer system, those are costs that could get shuffled to you in the future.

Whichever style 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 Belong in the Trash

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

Together with wipes, these things can block your sewer line and back up your toilet, leaving you with a pricey (and icky) mess.

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Using drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl sanitary, but they might do more harm than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, including bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can clog the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Dumping Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your initial answer might be to purchase a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners.

1. They’re poisonous. 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. 
2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your pipes: corrosion, fractures and even failure. 
3. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can figure out, these substances aren’t extremely helpful for the environment. 
4. They might not even unclog your drain. In spite of all the chemicals they pack, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s because they often move the clog deeper into your plumbing until it results in a big problem.

If you do have to have 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 may take 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 Air Engineers Service Experts is your smartest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s easier to have an Expert complete the job. That way, you’ll also prevent harming your pipes and a host of horrible issues such as leaks, broken seals and unpleasant odors.

After your drain is working like it should, keep it that way by using a screen to keep hair or food scraps from plugging it again.

5. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It might seem like it’s not a problem to pour a small amount of oil down your pipes. But over time, that grease can build up and block your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and develop a yucky fatberg like we talked about earlier.

To avoid plumbing troubles, drain the fat into a can. After it cools, you can throw it away in the garbage.

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for eliminating little food scraps. But it can’t eliminate 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 has a bad smell, you can clean it with citrus peels or a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires annual service. This service can help us discover small issues before they cause huge problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we watch for entail:

If you do notice an issue, like a dripping sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it taken care of without delay before it gets larger or leads to 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 Air Engineers Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or causes damage.

Fixing plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best left to pros. There’s a reason why plumbers finish extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair on your own or call a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and making a costlier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Tune Up Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

When it comes to your water heater, service and tune-ups are best left to the professionals. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t performed properly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your residence.

Professional water heater maintenance offers peace of mind that your water heater is running like it should. It also provides you notice ahead of time when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, because they usually only operate for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

When your home has a big water leak, it’s essential 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.

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

It’s also a good idea to get a water leak protection system that will alert you and cut off the water if there’s a problem. You can even get a smart system to watch water use and tell you via your phone if there’s trouble.

Whatever plumbing issue you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Air Engineers Service Experts are ready to help you. And we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were finished correctly. Give us a call at 904-450-5672 to request your appointment now!