The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Needing a plumber in Pierre can be unavoidable if you are dealing with a leaky or ruptured pipe. But many times, you can stop clogging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to fix.

Here are some of the most common problems our Experts get calls about at Peitz Service Experts and how you can avoid them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the best location for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from 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 failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since flushable wipes don’t disintegrate 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 attach to other nasty things that shouldn’t go down the toilet, like cooking oil and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. Besides being unsanitary and just plain gross, environmental nonprofit Green America says these blobs are pricey to get rid of. If you’re on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get shuffled to you in the long run.

No matter what 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 Garbage

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 clog your sewer line and back up your toilet, leaving you with a pricey (and icky) mess.

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Relying on drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a great way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may cause more trouble than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, like bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can block the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

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

1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce severe fumes that can result in respiratory irritation. 
2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, imagine what they can do to your pipes: corrosion, cracks and even failure. 
3. They’re bad for the environment. As you can figure out, these substances aren’t very good for the environment. 
4. They might not even work. In spite of all the chemicals they include, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a short time. That’s due to the fact they often push the clog deeper into your plumbing until it results in 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 get rid of clogs and unpleasant odors. While they could require more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re better for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you have a tough clog that just won’t go away, contacting a professional plumber like Peitz Service Experts is your smartest 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 avoid harming your pipes and a wide variety of troublesome issues such as leaks, broken seals and troublesome 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. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink

It could seem like it’s not a problem to drain a tiny bit of fat down your sink. But as the years go by, that grease can build up and block your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and create a gross fatberg like we discussed earlier.

To stop plumbing troubles, drain the grease into a bowl. After it cools, you can toss it in the trash.

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for getting rid of tiny food scraps. But it can’t get rid of everything. To avoid breakdowns 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 smells bad, you can clean it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Much like your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also needs regular tune-ups. This service can help us spot minor issues before they cause expensive problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we watch for include:

If you do spot trouble, like a dripping sink or pipe, it’s important to get it fixed right away before it grows larger or results in damage.

8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing on Your Own

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we suggest calling an Expert at Peitz Service Experts for leak repair before it gets bigger or causes damage.

Repairing plumbing is a complex job that’s best done by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers go through extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair on your own or hire a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and having a costlier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater on Your Own

When it comes to your water heater, service and maintenance is best left to the professionals. This includes draining it or testing the temperature and pressure valve. If this isn’t completed right, you could burn yourself with scalding water or flood your home.

Professional water heater maintenance gives peace of mind that your water heater is working properly. It also offers you a heads-up when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, as they typically only last for about 10 years.

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

In the event your residence has a major water leak, it’s important to be knowledgeable about where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is typically located in a mechanical room near your water heater.

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

It’s also a good idea to have a water leak protection system that will sound the alarm and cut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even get a smart system to monitor water use and alert you on your phone if there’s a problem.

Whatever plumbing problem you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Peitz Service Experts are ready to provide support. And we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll be sure that your repairs were completed right. Reach us at 605-223-0307 to request your appointment now!