The Top 10 Things Your Plumber Doesnt Want You to Do

Requiring a plumber in Long Island can be inevitable if you have a leaky or ruptured pipe. But the majority of times, you can prevent clogging your pipes or breaking your garbage disposal, both of which can be pricey to take care of.

Here are some of the most frequent problems we get calls about at Matz-Rightway and how you can prevent them.

1. Flushing “Flushable” Wipes

Despite the fact they might be called “flushable wipes,” the ideal location for them is the waste bin. 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 discovered they all failed a flushability test, according to Forbes. Because flushable wipes don’t dissolve like toilet paper, they can clog 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 conglomerate with other gross things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, such as cooking grease and hygienic products, to result in a fatberg. As well as being dirty and just plain nasty, environmental nonprofit Green America says these masses are expensive to get rid of. If you rely on a city sewer system, those are bills that could get assigned to you down the road.

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 finished.

2. Flushing Other Things That Should Be Tossed in the Garbage

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

Like wipes, these things can block your sewer line and make your toilet run over, saddling you with a pricey (and gross) mess.

3. Using Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tabs

Using drop-in toilet fresheners may seem like a great way to keep your toilet bowl clean, but they may do more harm than good. These tablets typically contain chemicals, like bleach, which can wreck rubber parts in the tank. And as the tablets melt, they can plug the toilet and keep it from flushing.

4. Buying Chemical Drain Cleaners

If your sink is clogged, your first answer might be to purchase an inexpensive liquid drain cleaner. However, there are a few things you should realize about these drain cleaners.

1. They’re toxic. Drain cleaners are a toxic blend of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes. They also create intense fumes that can lead to respiratory irritation. 
2. They can corrode your pipes. If these cleaners can burn your skin, imagine what they can do to your piping: corrosion, cracks and even failure. 
3. They’re not good for the environment. As you can imagine, these formulas aren’t extremely environmentally friendly. 
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 little while. That’s due to the fact they often push the clog further into your plumbing until it creates a huge problem.

If you do need to use a drain cleaner, we advise using an enzymatic cleaner. These chemical-free cleaners use bacteria and enzymes to get rid of clogs and bad odors. While they might take more time than a chemical-based cleaner, they’re healthier for you, your plumbing and the environment.

If you’re dealing with a strong clog that just won’t go away, calling a professional plumber like Matz-Rightway is your wisest option for drain cleaning. While you can rent a drain auger or plumbing snake, it’s faster to have a pro complete the job. That way, you’ll also skip damaging your pipes and a host of bad issues such as leaks, damaged seals and troublesome odors.

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

5. Dumping Grease Down Your Sink

It might seem like it’s not a big deal to pour a small amount of fat down your sink. But over time, that grease can grow 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 discussed earlier.

To avoid plumbing woes, drain the grease into a can. After it cools, you can throw it away in the waste can.

6. Turning to Your Garbage Disposal for Everything

Your garbage disposal is a beneficial tool for eliminating small 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 regular maintenance. This service can help us spot small issues before they result in major problems, such as a damaging water leak. Some of the troubles we check for entail:

If you do spot a problem, like a dripping sink or pipe, it’s important to get it fixed right away before it gets bigger or causes damage.

8. Making an Attempt to Fix Your Plumbing Yourself

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

Repairing plumbing is a complex job that’s best completed by specialists. There’s a reason why plumbers complete extensive certification and licensing. Don’t attempt water pipe repair without help or hire a handyman, as you could end up wasting time and having a pricier expensive problem.

9. Trying to Tune Up 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 done correctly, you could burn yourself with boiling water or flood your home.

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

10. Not Knowing Where the Water Main Shutoff Is

If your residence has a large water leak, it’s essential to be knowledgeable about where the main water valve is and how to switch it off. This valve is typically found in a mechanical room near your water heater.

If you’re still not sure where the valve is located, Matz-Rightway can help you find it.

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

Whatever plumbing trouble you’re experiencing, our Expert plumbers at Matz-Rightway are here to provide support. And we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year, so you’ll be sure that your repairs were done like they should. Reach us at 631-406-9220 to request your appointment right away!