10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Immediately
Having to have a plumber in Winnipeg can be unavoidable if you are experiencing a drippy or burst pipe. But many times, you can prevent blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to repair.
Here are some of the most regular troubles our professionals field calls about at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts and how you can stop them.
1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes
Although they might be referred to as “flushable wipes,” the best location for them is the garbage. 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 tested 101 such wipes discovered none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper, they can plug your sewer line and make your toilet back up.
They can also cause a lot of trouble to city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can combine with other nasty things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, such as cooking grease and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. As well as being dirty and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these buildups are pricey to get rid of. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get shuffled to you down the road.
Whichever kind of wipe you’re using—makeup remover, cleansing, baby or sanitizing—it should go in the trash once you’re done.
2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Garbage
Other than flushable wipes, there are a few other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These cover:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Makeup remover pads
- Cat litter
Like wipes, these things can clog your sewer line and make your toilet run over, saddling you with a pricey (and icky) mess.
3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs
Using drop-in toilet fresheners might seem like a good way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they can do more harm than good. These tablets often contain chemicals, like bleach, which can eat through rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets dissolve, they can plug the toilet and prevent it from flushing.
4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
If your sink is plugged, your first answer could be to get a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should know about these drain cleaners.
- They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic combination of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also create strong fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation.
- They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, imagine what they can do to your piping: corrosion, fractures and even failure.
- They’re harmful to the environment. As you can imagine, these substances aren’t extremely good for the environment.
- They might not even unclog your drain. Regardless of all the chemicals they have, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a limited time. That’s because they often force the clog further into your plumbing until it results in a huge problem.
If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to eliminate clogs and foul odors. While they might take more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment.
If you’re experiencing a tough clog that just won’t dissolve, calling a professional plumber like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts is your smartest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s simpler to have a pro finish the job. That way, you’ll also avoid breaking your pipes and a host of horrible issues such as leaks, damaged seals and unpleasant odors.
After your drain is clear, 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 may seem like it’s not a issue to dump a small amount of oil down your drain. But as time passes, that grease can grow and block your pipes. If the grease leaks into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and develop a nasty fatberg like we discussed earlier.
To skip plumbing woes, drain the grease into a can. After it solidifies, you can dump it in the garbage.
6. Relying on Your Garbage Disposal for Everything
Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for eliminating tiny food scraps. But it can’t eliminate everything. To stop problems or clogs, we recommend 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 has a bad smell, you can clean it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.
7. Ignoring Maintenance for Your Plumbing System
Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires routine service. This service can help us discover little issues before they result in huge problems, including a damaging water leak. Some of the problems we check for include:
- Ample water pressure
- Drippy or plugged pipes
- Adequately functioning supply lines and plumbing fixtures such as sinks, tubs, showers and toilets
If you do see an issue, such as a leaky sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it fixed right away before it grows worse or results in damage.
8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself
When you have a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, it’s important to call an Expert at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or causes damage.
Mending plumbing is a complex job that’s best left to pros. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair without help or call a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and making a costlier expensive problem.
9. Trying to Tune Up Your Water Heater on Your Own
When it comes to your water heater, service and maintenance is best left to the specialists. This includes draining it or testing the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t done right, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your residence.
Experienced water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is operating properly. It also offers you a heads-up when it’s time to start considering water heater replacement, because they typically only operate 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 be aware of where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is typically located in a mechanical room near your water heater.
Here’s how to switch off the main water valve in your residence:
- 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 still not sure where the valve is located, Winnipeg Supply 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 shut off the water if there’s trouble. You can even have a smart system to watch water use and notify you via your phone if there’s a problem.
Whatever plumbing problem you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts are here to assist you. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll be sure that your repairs were done correctly. Reach us at 204-800-0613 to book your appointment today!
