10 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Stop Doing Immediately

Requiring a plumber in San Antonio can be inevitable if you are experiencing a dripping or broken pipe. But a lot of the time, you can stop clogging your pipes or needing repairs for your garbage disposal, both of which can be expensive to repair. 

Here are some of the most frequent troubles we receive calls about at Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air and how you can stop them. 

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Although they might be known as “flushable wipes,” the best spot for them is the garbage. The only thing that should be flushed (apart from the obvious) is toilet paper and septic treatments, if you use a septic system. 

A Canadian study that examined 101 such wipes discovered they all failed 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 nasty things that shouldn’t be disposed of down the toilet, like cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. In addition to being unhygienic and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are expensive to fix. If you use a city sewer system, those are expenses that could get shuffled to you in the future. 

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 done. 

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Go in the Garbage

Other than flushable wipes, there are several other things that don’t belong in your toilet. These involve: 

• Feminine hygiene products 
• Makeup remover pads 
• Cat litter 

In addition to wipes, these things can block your sewer line and overflow your toilet, sticking you with an expensive (and nasty) mess. 

3. Dropping in Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs 

Using drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a smart way to keep your toilet bowl fresh, but they may do more damage than good. These tablets usually contain chemicals, like bleach, which can destroy rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets break down, they can plug the toilet and stop it from flushing. 

4. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is plugged, your immediate response may be to get a cheap liquid drain cleaner. However, there are several 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 create intense fumes that can cause 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, cracks and even failure.  

3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can figure out, these substances aren’t exactly good for the environment.  

4. 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 due to the fact they often move the clog deeper into your plumbing until it results in a huge problem. 

If you do have to have a drain cleaner, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners have bacteria and enzymes to get rid of clogs and bad odors. While they may require 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 go away, contacting a professional plumber like Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air is your best 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 skip breaking your pipes and many other troublesome issues like leaks, nonworking seals and horrible odors. 

After your drain is clear, keep it that way by using 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 problem to pour a small amount of fat down your sink. But as the years go by, that grease can accumulate and block your pipes. If the grease finds its way into the sewer system, it can stick to flushable wipes and develop a nasty fatberg like we talked about previously. 

To skip plumbing troubles, drain the fat into a bowl. After it hardens, you can dump it in the waste can. 

6. Using 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 breakdowns or clogs, we recommend 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 smells bad, you can revive it with citrus peels or a blend of baking soda and vinegar. 

7. Skipping Maintenance for Your Plumbing System

Similar to your heating and cooling system, your plumbing also requires annual maintenance. This service can help us find small issues before they cause big problems, like a damaging water leak. Some of the issues we watch for entail: 

• Proper water pressure  
• Drippy or clogged pipes  
• Correctly functioning supply lines and plumbing fixtures like sinks, tubs, showers and toilets 

If you do notice trouble, like a leaking sink or pipe, it’s crucial to get it repaired immediately before it becomes larger or results in damage. 

8. Attempting to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

When you are dealing with a dripping pipe or a leaking washing machine, we recommend calling an Expert at Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air for leak repair before it grows or leads to damage. 

Repairing plumbing is a detailed job that’s best completed by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair on your own or call a handyman, because you could end up wasting time and making a pricier expensive problem. 

9. Trying to Service 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 performed correctly, you could burn yourself with hot water or flood your house. 

Pro water heater maintenance provides peace of mind that your water heater is running right. It also offers you a heads-up when it’s time to start considering water heater replacement, because they usually only work for about 10 years. 

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

If your house has a big water leak, it’s critical to know where the main water valve is and how to turn it off. This valve is usually situated in a mechanical room near your water heater. 

Here’s how to turn off the main water valve in your house: 

• If it has a wheel: circle it clockwise until you can’t anymore.  
• If it has a lever: rotate it about a quarter of the way. 

If you’re don’t know where the valve is located, Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air can help you find it. 

It’s also a good idea to get a water leak protection system that will turn on an alarm and turn off the water if there’s trouble. You can even use a smart system to watch water use and tell you through your phone if there’s trouble. 

Whatever plumbing problem you’re faced with, our Expert plumbers at Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air 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. Reach us at 210-404-4233 to request your appointment now!