10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Right Away

Requiring a plumber in Jacksonville can be inevitable if you are experiencing a dripping or ruptured pipe. But a lot of the time, you can prevent blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair. 

Here are some of the most frequent troubles our pros field calls about at Air Engineers Service Experts and how you can prevent them. 

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Although they might be referred to as “flushable wipes,” the best spot for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you use a septic system. 

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes discovered 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 attach to other yucky things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, such as cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. In addition to being unhygienic and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are pricey to fix. If you use a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get shuffled to you down the road. 

Whichever 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 Waste Bin

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

• Feminine hygiene products 
• Makeup remover pads 
• Cat litter 

In addition to wipes, these things can clog your sewer line and overflow your toilet, sticking you with a costly (and nasty) mess. 

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs 

Having drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they may do more damage than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, such as bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets dissolve, they can plug the toilet and stop it from flushing. 

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is plugged, your immediate response may be to purchase a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several things you should be aware of when it involves these drain cleaners. 

1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also create intense fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation.  

2. They can eat away at your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, think about what they can do to your plumbing: corrosion, fractures and even failure.  

3. They’re bad for the environment. As you can figure out, these substances aren’t extremely helpful for the environment.  

4. 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 since they often move the clog deeper into your plumbing until it results in a major problem. 

If you do require a drain cleaner, we suggest using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and unpleasant odors. While they may take more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re safer for you, your plumbing and the environment. 

If you’re experiencing a strong clog that just won’t go away, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Air Engineers Service Experts is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s easier to have a pro complete the job. That way, you’ll also skip breaking your pipes and many other troublesome issues like leaks, broken seals and troublesome odors. 

After your drain is flowing freely, keep it that way by using a screen to keep hair or food scraps from blocking it again. 

5. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a problem to pour a small amount of fat down your drain. But over time, that grease can accumulate and clog your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can cling to flushable wipes and develop a yucky fatberg like we talked about earlier. 

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

6. Turning to Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for eliminating tiny food scraps. But it can’t eliminate everything. To prevent breakdowns or clogs, we suggest 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 smells bad, you can revive it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar. 

7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires annual maintenance. This service can help us find small issues before they cause big problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we check for involve: 

• Proper water pressure  
• Dripping or clogged pipes  
• Correctly operating supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets 

If you do notice an issue, such as a leaking sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it repaired immediately before it becomes larger or results in damage. 

8. Trying 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 grows or causes damage. 

Repairing plumbing is an in-depth job that’s best completed by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair on your own or get a handyman, since you could end up wasting time and making a more expensive problem. 

9. Trying to Service Your Water Heater on Your Own

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 correctly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your home. 

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

10. Not Being Aware of Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your home has a big water leak, it’s essential to be knowledgeable about where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is usually located in a mechanical room near your water heater. 

Here’s how to turn off the main water valve in your home: 

• If it has a wheel: move 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, Air Engineers Service Experts can help you find it. 

It’s also a wise idea to get a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and turn off the water if there’s an issue. You can even use a smart system to watch water use and tell you through your phone if there’s trouble. 

Whatever plumbing trouble you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Air Engineers Service Experts are ready to provide support. And we’ll stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were done correctly. Reach us at 904-450-5672 to book your appointment now!