7 Things Your Plumber Wants You to Know

 

When it comes to plumbing, do you call a plumber at the first sign of trouble? Alternately, are you someone who likes to try to tackle every plumbing issue on your own? Whether you’re the do-it-yourself type or one who relies on professionals, there are some things your plumber wants you to know.

1. Harsh chemicals are not your friend. You may understand that things like paints and pesticides should never go down your drains, but do you know that chemicals meant to clean or unclog your drain can be equally damaging? A better option is to pour dish soap sit into the drain, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then pour in 3 cups of boiling water. If that doesn’t clear your clog, try vinegar and baking soda to power through it.
2. Plastic piping is preferable. If you need to replace a pipe, don’t immediately go for metal. Plastic piping is cheaper, easier to tighten, and unlikely to corrode.
3. Your garbage disposal can’t take all of that. Some people use their garbage disposals as catchalls, but disposals are only meant to handle small bits of leftover food. The list of things that shouldn’t go into the disposal is lengthy and includes pasta, celery, potato skins, coffee grounds, and eggshells.
4. Flushable wipes aren’t flushable. Limit what you flush down your toilet, to avoid clogging your pipes or causing problems for your septic system. Put feminine products, condoms, cigarettes, floss, medications, and cotton swabs on the no-flush list too.
5. Your water heater needs your attention. It doesn’t need a lot of attention, just a periodic check-in. Keep an eye on it, so you can catch potential issues early on, and have it serviced once a year by a reliable plumber.
6. It’s important to know how to turn off your water. Do you know how to turn off your home’s main water supply? If not, learn how to do this as soon as possible. Being able to quickly shut off the water in an emergency can save you from thousands of dollars in damage to your home.
7. Ignoring plumbing problems won’t make them go away. Take care of minor problems quickly, and you’ll avoid having to deal with major problems.

If you need plumbing help, call Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating.  Passionate in the pursuit of safety, professionalism, and excellence in caring for our customers, co-workers, and community, our family-owned business has been around for 30 years, consistently delivering the customer satisfaction that’s earned us our superb reputation. A full-service plumbing company, we provide a wide range of services which include expert repairs to existing plumbing, water, gas, and sewage systems, copper piping, water main replacements, trenchless sewer replacements, and water heater installations, as well as renovation services for kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms. Contact us through our website or call (510) 876-9725 for more information on all we can do for you.