Plumbing problems might start off small, but the wrong response can make them more difficult and expensive to fix. Knowing what to avoid and when to call United Plumbing can help protect your home and your pocketbook.
- Chemical drain cleaners may temporarily clear a clog, but they can also be hard on your plumbing and may not address the real cause of the blockage.
- So-called “flushable” wipes can contribute to clogged drain and sewer lines because they don't break down as easily as toilet paper.
- Overtightening plumbing connections can damage fittings, threads, washers, and seals, potentially turning a minor leak into a bigger repair.
- Overloading or misusing your garbage disposal can lead to jams, motor problems, slow drains, and clogged plumbing.
- Calling United Plumbing early can help identify the source of any plumbing problems before they develop into a more serious blockage, leak, fixture failure, or water damage.
- Once the problem is repaired, United Plumbing can also help you understand how to reduce the chances of it happening again.
Let’s look at each of these main points in more detail.
Small Plumbing Mistakes Can Turn Into Bigger Problems
Most homeowners run into plumbing problems sooner or later. Sometimes the cause is simple wear and tear.
Other times, a well-intentioned attempt at repairs can actually make the situation worse.
The important thing is knowing when to stop trying to fix it yourself and when to get a professional plumber involved.
At United Plumbing, we help homeowners diagnose their plumbing problems, make the right repairs, and understand what they can do to reduce the chances of similar issues happening again.
Here are a few of the most common plumbing mistakes we see and how getting help earlier can save you time, frustration, and potentially more expensive repairs.
Relying on Chemical Drain Cleaners
When a sink or tub starts draining slowly, a bottle of chemical drain cleaner might seem like the easiest solution. The problem is that these products use harsh chemicals to attack the clog, and those same chemicals can also be hard on certain types of plumbing.
Even if the drain cleaner appears to work, it may only partially clear the blockage. If the underlying problem is buildup farther down the line, a damaged pipe, or another plumbing issue, the clog may return.
If a drain is repeatedly slow or completely stopped, we can determine what is actually causing the problem and clear the line using the appropriate equipment.
Once the drain is working properly again and we've identified the true source of the problems, we can also talk with you about ways to help prevent future clogs.
Flushing So-Called “Flushable” Wipes
Just because a product is labeled “flushable” doesn't mean it will move through your plumbing system as easily as toilet paper.
Many wipes are designed to stay strong when wet, which means they may not break down quickly inside your drain and sewer lines. Over time, they can catch other debris and contribute to a serious blockage.
If your toilet is frequently clogging, draining slowly, or backing up, there may already be an obstruction somewhere in the line.
Our plumbers can eliminate the problem instead of simply treating the symptom. As a general rule, toilet paper and human waste are the safest things to flush, while wipes belong in the trash.
Overtightening Plumbing Fixtures
A small leak around a fitting can make it tempting to grab your wrench and tighten everything a little more. Unfortunately, tighter is not always better.
Overtightening a pipe fitting can damage threads, crack fittings, crush washers, or damage seals. What started as a minor leak can quickly become a fitting or fixture that now needs to be replaced.
If a connection continues to leak after normal tightening, there may be another issue involved. A worn seal, damaged fitting, corrosion, or improper installation could all be contributing to the problem.
Calling United Plumbing allows the cause of the leak to be properly identified and repaired without creating additional damage.
Asking Too Much of Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are not designed to handle every type or large quantities of food waste.
Putting too much food into the disposal at once can cause jams, overload the motor, or contribute to clogged drain lines.
Certain types of food scraps can also create problems even when the disposal appears to grind them successfully.
If your garbage disposal is humming, jammed, leaking, draining slowly, or repeatedly shutting off, it's worth having us come out and take a look.
We can determine whether the problem is with the disposal itself or with the plumbing connected to it and recommend the best next step.
After the repair, we can also help you understand how to use your disposal in a way that is easier on both the unit and your drain system.
Knowing When to Call Our Professional Plumbers
One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is allowing a relatively small plumbing problem to continue until it becomes a plumbing emergency.
A slow drain, small leak, running toilet, unusual noise, or occasional backup might not seem urgent at first. You might be hoping that it eventually goes away on its own.
But plumbing problems rarely improve on their own.
Getting United Plumbing involved early gives us an opportunity to diagnose the cause and make the appropriate repair before you are dealing with water damage, a major blockage, or a failed plumbing fixture.
United Plumbing does provide 24/7 service when plumbing problems simply cannot wait. And there's no extra charge for nights, weekends or holidays.
If something with your plumbing doesn't seem right, don't risk making the problems worse.
Give United Plumbing a call and let our experienced plumbers come take a look. Once your problem is solved, we can help you understand what caused it and how to reduce the chances of it happening again.