Requiring a plumber in the U.S. can be unavoidable if you are dealing with a dripping or ruptured pipe. But many times, you can prevent blocking your pipes or requiring repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to repair.
Here are some of the most common problems we get calls about at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and how you can stop them.
Although they might be called “flushable wipes,” the ideal location for them is the trash. 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 tested 101 such wipes found none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up.
They can also cause problems with 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 create a fatberg. As well as being dirty and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are expensive to get rid of. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get shuffled to you in the long run.
Whatever kind of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should be tossed in the trash once you’re finished.
Besides flushable wipes, there are several other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These include:
Along with wipes, these things can clog your sewer line and make your toilet run over, saddling you with a costly (and icky) mess.
Having drop-in toilet fresheners could seem like a good way to keep your toilet bowl sanitary, but they can cause more trouble than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, including bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can clog the toilet and prevent it from flushing.
If your sink is blocked, your immediate response could be to buy a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are some things you should know about these drain cleaners.
If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and unpleasant odors. While they could work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re better for you, your plumbing and the environment.
If you’re dealing with a strong clog that just won’t dissolve, getting in touch with a professional plumber like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s simpler to have a pro do the job. That way, you’ll also skip damaging your pipes and a wide variety of troublesome issues such as leaks, broken seals and troublesome odors.
After your drain is clear, keep it that way by having a screen to keep hair or food scraps from blocking it again.
It could seem like it’s not a problem to dump a little bit of fat down your pipes. But as time passes, that grease can grow and block your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and develop a nasty fatberg like we talked about earlier.
To stop plumbing woes, drain the fat into a can. After it solidifies, you can throw it away in the waste can.
Your garbage disposal is a useful tool for breaking up tiny bits of food. But it can’t eliminate everything. To stop problems or clogs, we suggest not putting these things down your garbage disposal:
If your garbage disposal has a bad smell, you can freshen it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.
Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs regular service. This service can help us find little issues before they lead to huge problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we watch for include:
If you do find an issue, including a leaky sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it repaired without delay before it grows larger or results in damage.
When you are experiencing a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for leak repair before it gets bigger or leads to 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 to do water pipe repair yourself or get a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and having a more expensive problem.
When it comes to your water heater, service and maintenance is best left to the professionals. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done correctly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your home.
Professional water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is operating like it should. It also gives you advance notice when it’s time to start planning for water heater replacement, because they usually only last for about 10 years.
In the event your house has a large water leak, it’s essential to know where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is often found in a mechanical room near your water heater.
Here’s how to switch off the main water valve in your house:
If you’re still not sure where the valve is located, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you find it.
It’s also a smart idea to get a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and shut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even have a smart system to watch water use and tell you on your phone if there’s a problem.
Whatever plumbing problem you’re faced with, our Expert plumbers at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are ready to assist you. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were finished correctly. Reach us at 866-397-3787 to schedule your appointment today!
Student loan debt in the USA has been a growing issue for a long time. Today’s total student debt soars over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re thinking about your higher education journey or advising someone who is, it’s crucial to weigh the... Continue reading
If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you just had a shockingly cold shower or turned on the faucet to discover that your house doesn’t have hot water. It’s an annoying state of affairs, but don’t stress. Learning the most frequent things that leave you with no hot water is... Continue reading
Did you just try to flush your toilet, and nothing happened? Peek within the tank, and you might see no water inside. Before you panic, rest assured that repairing this challenge is usually easy to accomplish. If you can’t complete this yourself, you can always set up toilet repair with a... Continue reading
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.