The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Requiring a plumber in San Antonio can be necessary if you are experiencing a dripping or ruptured pipe. But many times, you can avoid plugging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be costly to fix.

Here are some of the most regular issues our Experts field calls about at San Antonio Air Service Experts and how you can stop them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be referred to as “flushable wipes,” the ideal location for them is the trash. The only thing that should be flushed (other than the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you rely on a septic system.

A Canadian study that tested 101 such wipes discovered none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. As flushable wipes don’t break down like toilet paper, they can block your sewer line and lead to your toilet backing up.

They can also wreak havoc on city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can combine with other yucky things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, like cooking oil and hygienic products, to create a fatberg. In addition to being unsanitary and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are costly to repair. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are costs that could get shuffled to you in the long run.

No matter what kind of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should go in the trash once you’re finished.

2. Flushing Other Things That Belong in the Waste Bin

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

Together with wipes, these things can block your sewer line and overflow your toilet, saddling you with a costly (and nasty) mess.

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

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

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is blocked, your first reaction might be to purchase a low-priced liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners.

1. They’re poisonous. Drain cleaners are a toxic mixture of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also make powerful fumes that can cause respiratory irritation. 
2. They can eat away at your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, consider what they can do to your piping: corrosion, breaks and even failure. 
3. They’re harmful to the environment. As you can figure out, these formulas aren’t exactly environmentally friendly. 
4. They might not even work. Regardless of all the chemicals they pack, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s because they often move the clog more into your plumbing until it creates a major problem.

If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we suggest using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners rely on bacteria and enzymes to break up clogs and unpleasant odors. While they could work more slowly than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you have a difficult clog that just won’t go away, getting in touch with a professional plumber like San Antonio Air Service Experts is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s simpler to have a pro perform the job. That way, you’ll also skip causing damage to your pipes and a host of troublesome issues including leaks, damaged 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. Getting Rid of Grease Down Your Sink

It can seem like it’s not a big deal to dump a tiny bit of fat down your drain. But over time, that grease can grow and clog your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and create a gross fatberg like we mentioned prior.

To avoid plumbing troubles, drain the oil into a can. After it cools, you can toss it in the garbage.

6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for breaking up tiny bits of food. But it can’t eliminate everything. To stop issues or clogs, we suggest 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 has a bad smell, you can revive it with citrus peels or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires regular tune-ups. This service can help us spot small issues before they cause major problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we are on the lookout for entail:

If you do find an issue, such as a leaky sink or pipe, it’s important to get it repaired right away before it grows bigger or results in damage.

8. Making an Attempt 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 San Antonio Air Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or leads to damage.

Repairing plumbing is a complex 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 yourself or call a handyman, since you could end up wasting time and creating a more 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 professionals. This includes draining it or checking the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done properly, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your home.

Pro water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is operating like it should. It also offers you a heads-up when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, as they typically only work for about 10 years.

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your home has a major water leak, it’s critical to know where the main water valve is and how to shut it off. This valve is often found in a mechanical room near your water heater.

If you’re still not sure where the valve is located, San Antonio Air Service Experts can help you find it.

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

Whatever plumbing problem you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at San Antonio Air Service Experts are here to provide support. And we’ll stand behind our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll be sure that your repairs were completed like they should. Give us a call at 210-570-9705 to schedule your appointment right away!