Plumbing problems never occur at a convenient time. In fact, there is no good time to have the water shut off or the drains clogged. The plumbing in your home is used every day and all day. As inconveniencing as they are, plumbing problems are also urgent. But attempting to give them a quick fix is not always the way to go. So, at Flow Pros Plumbing, we have decided to let you know a few plumbing pet peeves and how to avoid them.
Unfortunately, you may know that annoying sound of a dripping faucet. And if you do, what did you do about it? You see, it is alright to wrap a towel or duct tape around it for the night so you can get some sleep. But you should call the plumber as soon as you are up. Leaving a temporary fix on a pipe or faucet can lead to a host of other issues. This is just one example of the pet peeves a plumber can find when going to a call. It is not that they are bothersome, but more that they can do significant damage.
So, if you have any immediate plumbing needs, give your local plumber a call to fix them right away.
In the Bathroom
Let’s jump right in with the one no one wants to discuss; the bathroom. Yep, it is the place the most mishaps happen and the one no one wants to call for help for. And trust us, plumbers see it all. Here are some of the things plumbers hate to see due to the danger they can do to your pipes and home.
- Flushing Flushable Wipes are not really all that flushable. Some are okay, others say non-flushable, and others are safe for septic. Reading labels is very important. People often forget which they have purchased. And then, they get stopped in the elbow joint of the pipes. In that case, you have a real mess. The best advice is to not flush them at all.
- Other Things in the Toilet: Feminine products are a no-no. Make-up remover pads do not dissolve quickly. They get stopped and collect together. Cat litter not only stops your pipes up, but it sends parasites into the waterways. Just say no, to cat litter in the toilet. And, paper towels are just too strong these days. They also will clump up and cause a clog.
- Bleach Tabs in the Tank, whether you know it or not, will erode the flapper causing you to have to replace it much more often. Cleaning the toilet with traditional cleaning products is the best way.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
No matter where they are used, chemical drain cleaners are a massive problem in toilets and bathroom drains. First, they are actually poisonous. The toxic chemicals used in the products can burn eyes and skin. And breathing them in is dangerous. Not to mention, they are awful for the environment.
Also, drain cleaners will corrode your pipes leading to further damage down the line. What’s more, they may not even work. If the clog is further down, the drain cleaner will be too dissipated to get to the clog. Then you have just wasted time and money.
Do yourself a favor and your plumber, and don’t even try them out.
In the Kitchen
If you are one of those chefs that has no time to get to the trash with items that should not go down the disposal, we get it. You are busy. And sometimes you just think it will be okay. But then, when the damage is done, you’ll decide to change your cooking routine up a bit. Here is a list of the things that cannot go in the disposal. For more information, read our article on Garbage Disposal No-Nos.
- Coffee grounds
- Pasta, oats, rice, and bread
- Bones, nuts, pits, and seeds
- Eggshells
- Onions and potato peels
- Fibrous fruits and vegetables
- And of course, Grease
Stop Ignoring Plumbing Issues
Your local plumbing company offers a wide range of plumbing services. So, really, there is no reason to not let us diagnose and repair the issue. What’s more, they will know if there is a deeper issue with your plumbing pipes, just like with a tear in a shirt. If you ignore it, it will just grow and grow until the shirt is not really a shirt anymore.
So, if you notice any of these, call your local plumber right away.
Noises in the Pipes- It is essential to address loud pipes as soon as they begin to make noise. You see, excessive banding is causing excessive wear and tear on those pipes and can even worsen whatever the issue was in the first place.
Low Water Pressure – Low pressure may be your pipes’ way of telling you there are leaks, corrosion, or mineral buildup on your faucet screen or showerhead. Allow a professional plumber to clean out the line before you end up with a bigger burst pipe behind the scenes.
Clogging or Slow Draining Pipes – Taking a shower and the drain won’t let the water out can be stressful. Will it overflow? And then there is that ring it will leave. Don’t let that issue go. If you cannot see the cause of the slow drain and remove it. Call a plumber to check it out. Sometimes the problem is much further down in the pipe and will need the tools your plumber can bring.
Water Heater Draining – Many homeowners tend to ignore the water heater altogether. Easy as it sounds, some try to drain or clean it out on their own. Plumbers hate to see the damage caused to a water heater due to inexperience.
Having the water heater professionally drained gets all the sludge that accumulates in the bottom of the tank out. Also, flushing your water heater avoids all sorts of water heater issues and expensive repairs. It will extend the useful life of your water heater, as well.
Know Where Your Water Shutoff Valve is. If there is a big flood in the home, you will want to know where it is immediately. Keep it accessible and free of clutter so it can be accessed in an emergency.
DIYing the Plumbing Problem
This may be the worst of all the pet peeves. When a plumber goes into the crawl space or under the cabinet and sees the mystery bonding agent a homeowner used to stop a leak, it can be pretty frustrating to remove. Even worse, they know they could have saved you time and money by getting out to the repair weeks ago.
So, suppose you have a plumbing issue and cannot solve the problem with a simple plunger. In that case, the best idea is to call a professional.
If you don’t have the time or want to find the issue, we don’t blame you. After all, that is why we are here. Our expert plumbers fix all types of clogged drains, broken pipes, water hammer, and more.
For an on-the-spot job estimate, contact the helpful staff at Flow Pros Plumbing to get on the schedule right away.
Your Plumbing is No Pet Peeve to the Flow Pros.
As you know, your plumbing practically runs your whole house. Without it, typical everyday routines are halted. And we know it can get expensive with extensive damage. That is why we offer preventative maintenance plans and service agreements for all our Flow Pros Plumbing customers.
The Annual Preventative Maintenance is the basis of the service agreement. Many of the fixtures in your home need to be serviced from time to time to maintain optimal function. During your annual service, the plumber will inspect the faucets, drains, and toilets as well.
A service agreement with a premier plumbing company like Flow Pros LLC will take your plumbing headaches away. Let the professional technicians at Flow Pros handle all your plumbing needs on time by investing in a service agreement.
Call today for a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your service agreement set up and first maintenance appointment.
Schedule your appointment now with Flow Pros Plumbing.