It may be tempting to put off taking care of a plumbing problem, but you shouldn’t. Waiting will only make the plumbing issue worse. Not only can it damage other parts of your home – like your floor and walls – but it will be more expensive to fix the problem later.  

Cincinnati plumbers are considered essential during the coronavirus. That’s because it’s imperative to address plumbing concerns as soon as they arise. Our plumbers are following strict safety guidelines during this difficult time, so don’t put off giving us a call to take care of that small leak that could lead to big problems down the road. 

Not convinced? Here are five reasons you shouldn’t wait to call the plumber: 

A leaky faucet will drain your pocketbook 

If you’re seeing and hearing drips from your faucet long after you’ve turned off the water, it’s time to call the plumber. Even one small drip can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water a year – and that really adds up! If you’ve noticed a higher-than-normal water bill, take a look at your faucets and if you detect a leak, give us a call. 

DIY won’t work 

Tape around a leaking showerhead. Constant use of an over-the-counter drain opener. These solutions may work in the short term but they won’t go the distance. Worse, you could actually do more damage to the problem at hand. Save yourself money and time by getting your plumbing issues fixed by a professional when they arise. 

Slow drains are unhealthy 

We’re all thinking about our health a lot these days, and more specifically about… germs. Of course you can’t catch coronavirus from water, but a slow drain that lets water pool can invite bacteria and cause an unhealthy situation for you and your family. The slow drain could also be caused by a blockage in your sewer line, and that needs to be repaired by a plumber ASAP. 

Water damage is costly 

Leaking pipes can do major damage to your home. As soon as you spot water underneath an exposed pipe, make sure you get it repaired quickly. If you spot any water stains on your wall, in your ceiling, or on the floor, that could be a sign of a leaking or burst pipe, which will cause extensive damage if it isn’t fixed by a plumber immediately. If you wait too long to repair a burst pipe, your home could suffer pretty serious damage. 

Water heaters can stop working 

Jangly, clanging water heaters are more than annoying – they’re also quite possibly signs that your water heater is in need of a repair. Contrary to popular belief, calcium build up in the water tank isn’t the only reason water heaters can get loud. Mineral deposits can lead to dangerous pressure levels, and when this happens, you’ll hear a louder than normal water heater before it simply stops working. 

In need of a plumbing repair? Contact us or give us a call. Allied Reddi-Rooter is happy to serve the Cincinnati community for its all plumbing needs during this time. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

Ever since news that the coronavirus would soon affect people in the tristate, we plumbers started getting requests to repair clogged toilets. The culprit? Disposable wipes used to sanitize everything from countertops to sinks and appliances. Today, they’re hard to come by in stores, and while some people have stopped trying to flush them down the toilet, we’re still getting calls. 

So what else shouldn’t you flush down the toilet? As a general rule, if you wouldn’t flush it down the sink, you shouldn’t flush it down the toilet, either. Below is a list of items we’ve removed from pipes after someone tossed them in the commode. 

Disposable wipes. These wipes are made of materials that simply do not break down in the pipes. Although many brands advertise that their wipes are disposable, we know from experience that they are not. If you’re using disposable wipes in the bathroom, have a trash can near the toilet and toss them in there after use. 

Feminine products. Avoid flushing tampons and sanitary napkins down the toilet. Tampons expand as they take in water and once a few get flushed they’ll cause a serious blockage in the pipes. And it doesn’t matter how old your plumbing is – feminine products can wreak havoc in pipes in even the newest homes. 

Diapers. Like tampons, diapers expand in water. While the waste in the diapers is certainly flushable, the diaper itself needs to be tossed. Once a flushed diaper gets in the bend of the pipe, it simply won’t go any further. 

Pills. Pills aren’t going to clog your pipes, but they can contaminate ground water and pollute everything from the soil where we grow our food to wildlife. The best way to dispose of your old medicine is to take it back to the pharmacy where your prescription was filled. Take a look at these tips from the FDA.  

Dental floss. A strand of dental floss seems innocent enough, but once you start tossing used strands in the toilet, you’re risking a clog. Dental floss is made from material that doesn’t break down, so it’s best to toss the floss in the trash bin. 

Paper towels. Sure, it’s paper, but it’s not the same as toilet paper. The same goes from face tissues. For both, avoid flushing down the toilet. Better yet, invest in reusable hand towels. That way, you’ll be saving money in the long run and helping out the environment. 

Toilet paper. That’s right, even toilet paper can clog your toilet. Use 100% biodegradable, single-ply toilet paper and use only a few squares at a time. The more toilet paper you use for one or two flushes, the better your chances of needing a plumber. 

Truth is, sometimes the cheapest toilet paper is the best bet to avoid clogs. And since toilet paper is in high demand these days, the cheapest may be all you can get. In this case, that’s a good thing. 

With a little effort, you can reduce toilet clogs and keep dangerous ingredients out of groundwater. Remember to keep a trash bin near the toilet and if it isn’t toilet paper, toss it in the bin. 

Looking for a little peace of mind right now when it comes to your home and plumbing? Consider a Groundhog video sewer line inspection. This month, you save on this service and rest easy knowing your sewer lines are in top shape. Contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter to learn more. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.