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6 Things Professional Plumbers Know That You Don’t

The plumbing in our homes is something we often take for granted. Most of us can’t imagine life without running water, flushing toilets, warm showers, and washed dishes. Not only that, a working plumbing system is key to sanitation in your home and your community.

Therefore, it’s important for homeowners to pay attention to the plumbing in their homes and know what not to do when plumbing issues happen. This involves things like fixing leaks quickly, regularly checking water pressure, and replacing failing or broken parts.

Perhaps even more importantly, is avoiding things that can wreak havoc on a home’s plumbing system. What are those behaviors? We went straight to the plumbers themselves to find out.

Here are six things that professional plumbers know that you might not.
1. DON'T FLUSH UNNECESSARY ITEMS DOWN THE TOILET
Toilets are not garbage cans and should be used properly. Way too many people think they can just flush whatever away and it disappears. There are only two things that should ever be flushed — toilet paper and human waste. Everything else, from tissues to paper towels and feminine hygiene products to flushable wipes (yes, don’t flush those!), will undoubtedly clog your pipes — if not right away, eventually. These items can also clog up the entire sewer system too.
2. DON'T POUR GREASE DOWN THE DRAIN
This is an important one to remember especially for your kitchen sink. After you’ve cooked something like bacon and need to get rid of the grease, there are a few things you can do; however, pouring the grease down the kitchen sink is not one of them.

Initially, the grease will stick to the walls of your pipes and start clogging your drain. Eventually, some of that grease will make it to the sewer, where it mixes with all the other raw sewage (along with those wipes that should have been put in the trash). The result? A disgusting sewer-damaging blob called a fatberg, which is a big problem for our sewage systems.

Instead, scrape the congealed grease into the garbage can, or pour the warm grease into a can or jar and wait until it sets, then throw away later.
3. DON'T USE HARSH CHEMICALS IN DRAINS
If you turn to store-bought drain cleaners to get rid of a clog in your home, stop immediately. These cleaners are not only ineffective, they are caustic and can burn your pipes and your skin if you touch them. Also, they don’t dissolve hair or get rid of it. It might burn away some of the hair and gunk, but at the end of the day it doesn’t stop the buildup from reoccurring. Instead, it just pushes it down to where the chemical didn’t reach.

So, what should you do about clogs then? You can try clearing the clog yourself with a plunger or plumbing snake, or use natural methods such as baking soda and vinegar (see DIY video). Also, plumber-recommended enzymatic drain cleaners are usually safe to use. Resist the temptation to use a hanger for the job though. Anything rigid can damage the pipe and cause a whole slew of issues, like leaks, broken seals, bad smells and bug infestations (ewww!).
4. DON'T TAKE THE TERM "GARBAGE DISPOSAL" LITERALLY
Despite the name, the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink isn’t meant to actually dispose of garbage. Small scraps of most food are okay, but coffee grounds, rice, pasta, eggshells, large chunks of meat as well as many other things should not be put down your garbage disposal.

Putting those kinds of items in your garbage disposal can damage it or in some instances overwork and/or overheat it. Therefore, if you continue putting them down the disposal, it will cause damage and ultimately ruin it making you to have to replace it.

Save yourself the trouble and expense by scraping off as much leftover food as you can off plates and pans into the trash or compost bin before rinsing them off in your sink.
5. DON'T PROLONG THE INVESTIGATION OF THE PROBLEM
Nobody likes to find out they have a plumbing problem happening in their home, but if you wake up one morning and find a pool of water under your kitchen sink, it’s definitely wise to deal with it right away.

If you think you have a water leak … you definitely want to get it looked at before it becomes a bigger issue. Plumbing problems are not the type that correct themselves over time.
6. DON'T PUT OFF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
Home plumbing systems should have regular maintenance done on them. Plumbers know the importance of keeping up on maintenance in their homes, so they can minimize the possibility of something major going wrong, such as a leak, corrosion or a septic tank issue.

One of the most important checks to do on your plumbing systems is an annual water pressure check to make sure it's in a safe range. The pressure level can vary, but 50-70 PSI (pounds per square inch) is recommended for most residential homes. You can buy a water pressure gauge at your local hardware store or home center to measure water pressure.

Other preventive plumbing maintenance in your home includes checking for leaks, clogs, and any broken internal parts in your toilets, sinks or tubs/showers. It is also recommended to check the supply lines (the hoses that allow water to travel from the main water line to individual fixtures) to make sure they are still working properly. Supply lines are typically only rated for three to five years of use.
Hopefully you found some things in this post that you might have been doing in your home, but now know better not to do them anymore. This will save you from having unnecessary plumbing or drain problems happen as a result.

As always, if you have a plumbing or drain issue that you need help with, don't hesitate to call Any Hour Services to have a licensed plumber come check it out and see what's happening and how to get it fixed.
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Before we price your drains or excavation project, our expert technician will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

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Requesting a quote is simple. Contact Any Hour Services, and we will assess your needs, providing a transparent estimate for the repairs.

We also provide FREE estimates and second opinions for major plumbing and excavation projects like repiping, sewer or water line replacements, remodels, and outdoor drain installs. Our team will evaluate the job in person, explain your options, and give you clear, upfront pricing. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just honest answers and expert service.

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We offer a $29 Drain Clear for single, easy-access drains. A licensed plumber will inspect the issue, clear out buildup like grease or debris, and get things flowing again. It’s a simple, affordable way to fix slow drains and help protect your plumbing from bigger problems down the line.

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You can pay for your service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies (On Approved Credit). Your technician can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want done.

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Our phone staff are not expert technicians, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained technician needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

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Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a trained technician can assess the job properly.

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A: We have a small dispatch fee to send our technician to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your technician will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

Call Now

Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. We use a fixed-price guide that reflects the time, materials, and real costs of running a dependable home services business. No hourly rates. No inflated prices based on where you live. We focus on what it takes to get the job done—not on how much we can charge.

Before we price your plumbing job, our licensed plumber will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

Call Now

A:

We price the job—not the clock. Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

Call Now

A:

We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

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Water heater replacements vary. Often, older units require updates to meet safety standards. Common items missing from many water heaters are flexible gas lines, expansion tanks, earthquake straps, gas sediment trap, upgrade exhaust venting, etc.

For an accurate quote, one of our licensed plumbers will inspect your existing system and provide a FREE estimate.

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Our phone staff are not licensed plumbers, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained plumber needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

Call Now

A:

Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a licensed plumber can assess the job properly.

Call Now

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We have a small dispatch fee to send our plumber to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your plumber will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

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Yes! We offer FREE in-home estimates for major projects like water heater installations, water softeners, and repiping—without any dispatch fee. Our licensed plumber will assess the job, explain your options, and provide a clear, fixed price. No surprises or hourly rates—just honest, reliable service. Schedule your FREE estimate today!

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No, our plumbers don’t quote a price until they have seen your plumbing project. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time, if you want to add more tasks to your plumbing project, your plumber will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

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You can pay for your plumbing service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your plumber can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want completed.

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