10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Discontinue Doing Now

Needing a plumber in Charlotte can be unavoidable if you are dealing with a dripping or ruptured pipe. But many times, you can avoid blocking your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair.

Here are some of the most regular troubles we receive calls about at Komfort Air Service Experts and how you can stop them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Although they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the right location for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (other than the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you have a septic system.

A Canadian study that tested 101 such wipes learned none of them passed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Since 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 cause problems with city sewer systems or your septic tank. These wipes can conglomerate with other yucky things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, like cooking oil and hygienic products, to lead to a fatberg. In addition to being dirty and just plain yucky, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are costly to get rid of. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get assigned to you in the future.

No matter what style 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 Trash

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

Like wipes, these things can block your sewer line and make your toilet run over, leaving you with an expensive (and icky) mess.

3. Relying on Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

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

4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your immediate answer could be to purchase an inexpensive 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 combination of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also produce strong fumes that can result in 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 not good for the environment. As you can determine, these substances aren’t exactly environmentally friendly. 
4. They might not even work. Despite all the chemicals they pack, drain cleaners sometimes don’t even work or only work for a little while. That’s due to the fact they often force the clog further into your plumbing until it creates a big problem.

If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we suggest using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners use bacteria and enzymes to break up 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 dealing with a tough clog that just won’t go away, calling a professional plumber like Komfort Air 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 causing damage to your pipes and many other troublesome issues including leaks, damaged seals and unpleasant odors.

After your drain is clear, keep it that way by installing a screen to keep hair or food scraps from clogging it again.

5. Pouring Grease Down Your Sink

It may seem like it’s not a issue to dump a tiny bit of oil down your pipes. But as the years go by, that grease can accumulate and block your pipes. If the grease gets into the sewer system, it can build up with flushable wipes and create a yucky fatberg like we discussed previously.

To stop plumbing woes, drain the fat into a container. After it hardens, you can dump it in the garbage.

6. Using Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a helpful tool for eliminating little bits of food. But it can’t eliminate everything. To stop malfunctions 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 is smelly, you can clean it with citrus peels or a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

7. Avoiding Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also has to have regular service. This service can help us discover little issues before they lead to big problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we watch for include:

If you do find trouble, including a leaking sink or pipe, it’s critical to get it taken care of immediately before it gets worse or results in damage.

8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Without Professional Help

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

Mending plumbing is a complex job that’s best done by professionals. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t try water pipe repair on your own or hire a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and having a pricier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Maintain Your Water Heater Without Professional Help

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 properly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your house.

Experienced water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is running right. It also offers you advance notice when it’s time to start thinking about water heater replacement, because they often only last for about 10 years.

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

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

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

It’s also a good idea to install a water leak protection system that will alert you and shut off the water if there’s an issue. You can even use a smart system to keep an eye on water use and alert you through your phone if there’s trouble.

Whatever plumbing issue you’re dealing with, our Expert plumbers at Komfort Air Service Experts are ready to assist you. And we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll know that your repairs were done correctly. Give us a call at 704-705-8135 to schedule your appointment today!