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The 10 Worst Things to Flush Down Your Toilet | Tips from Your Trusted Jacksonville, FL Plumbing Service

Posted on December 14, 2019 by bertnorman

Most homeowners are smart enough to know that a toilet is not a trash can. After all, if you try to flush most of your garbage down the toilet, you’re going to find yourself making a phone call to a Jacksonville, FL plumbing service in a rather short amount of time.

However, in this day and age, there are quite a few things that people think can be flushed that actually shouldn’t ever go down the toilet. You might get away with flushing a couple of these items once or twice, but if you do it regularly, you’re going to wreck your plumbing. A few of these items are so devastating for your pipes that even one time will require a plumber to come out and fix the damage. Here are some of the worst things to send down the toilet!

Flushable Wipes

Many people might be surprised to see these on here. After all, the name flushable is even part of the title! But just because something is advertised as flushable doesn’t mean that it’s meant to go down the toilet. The reason that toilet paper goes down the toilet without issue — and even it’s been known to clog a toilet if you use too much — is that after a few minutes, toilet paper will break down in water. Flushable wipes don’t break down, and they end up causing real problems in the sewers if you flush them. You might not need a plumber to rescue you from flushing these, but Jacksonville, FL and Duval County will certainly be feeling the negative effects of your decision if you send flushable wipes down the toilet.

Q-Tips

It’s easy to make the mistake of accidentally letting one of these slip into the toilet and thinking that it’s no big deal. But they present the same problems as flushable wipes: they don’t break down. If you use the ones that are partially plastic, it’s even worse. Be careful not to toss these down the toilet, or you’ll cause a sewer blockage over time.

Menstrual Pads

This would fall under the category of “call a plumbing service” if you flush one. Think about it: the purpose of a menstrual pad is to absorb fluid when necessary. Why would you want something that absorbs fluid going into your pipes? It’s going to expand and cause a major blockage if one gets flushed.

Diapers

Take everything that was just said about menstrual pads and multiply it. Diapers’ main purpose are to absorb wetness so that your baby’s skin doesn’t suffer from irritation as long as you change your baby quickly. Again, something that absorbs wetness going down your pipes is going to require you to call a Jacksonville, FL plumbing service to fix the damage.

Bleach

This is another entry that might surprise you, but bleach causes damage to your pipes in a different manner than a clog. Bleach is a corrosive liquid, and if it doesn’t get flushed through your pipes promptly, it’s going to break down the glue in PVC pipes and cause a serious issue that requires calling a plumbing service for immediate attention. If you’d like to clean your toilet, use a specific toilet bowl cleaner, or toss some common white vinegar down your pipes. Vinegar is actually an excellent choice for cleaning your toilet, as it won’t cause any problems if it goes down your pipes.

Undigested Food

The same cannot be said for other kinds of food, however. Human waste obviously goes down the toilet without issue, but when food hasn’t had a chance to be digested, it causes real problems for your pipes. Unlike flushable wipes or diapers, food will eventually break down in your pipes and clear away, but the process takes so long that you’re likely going to have to call for a plumbing service long before that happens. Bottom line: if a human body hasn’t had a chance to break it down, it doesn’t belong in the toilet.

Medicine

Have you ever heard that water is a renewable resource? Well, that becomes substantially less true if you’re putting medicine into the sewer system. Unlike other items on this list, medicine will break down when you flush it — but not all the way, and that’s a serious problem. The medicine will break down enough to toxify the water, costing Jacksonville, FL and other localities more money to properly clean it. Flushing medication won’t require you to call a plumbing service, but it’s still a very bad idea.

Pet Waste

Human waste goes down the toilet with no problem, so why not pet waste? Simple: cats and dogs’ waste dries out over time, and putting dried pet waste down the sewer is a major issue. Don’t think it will rehydrate and get through the pipes without any problems. It won’t, and you’ll likely be stuck calling a plumbing service for assistance.

Hair

Hair doesn’t break down in water. Hair expands in water by up to 30 percent, and when it’s surrounded by water, it doesn’t shrink back to its original size. Hair doesn’t belong in your shower drain, let alone your toilet’s pipes. Be sure to pluck it out of the drain and throw it away.

Grease

This might be the worst thing you can flush because of how damaging it is to your pipes. As grease cools, it solidifies, and you can probably see where this is going for your pipes. Under no circumstances should you ever flush grease of any kind down your toilet. If you do, there’s no maybe about it: you will be calling Bert Normans Plumbing for help because that’s the only way to fix the damage that grease causes.

What Can I Do?

Don’t flush anything that isn’t human waste or toilet paper down your toilet and always be sure not to use too much toilet paper for your toilet to handle. By restricting your flushing to those two items, you’ll do a lot for your pipes and keep them in top shape — and you’ll limit the amount of emergency calls you have to make to a Jacksonville, FL plumbing service, keeping that money free for things you really want to use it for, such as a new shower!

9 Advantages of Plumbing Inspections by a Trusted Plumber | Jacksonville, FL

Posted on November 28, 2019 by bertnorman

A well-maintained plumbing system ensures you have access to clean water. A plumbing inspection by a professional is recommended to ensure you continue to have access to top-quality water. Regular inspections offer several benefits, not least of which is a lower risk of significant plumbing emergencies. A simple thing like a plumbing inspection can help to prevent a multitude of issues, as even a small leak can cause damage to your property.

Compared to fifty years ago, plumbing inspections are much less intrusive. There’s no digging, and modern technology such as flexible, waterproof, fiber-optic cameras used by Bert Norman Plumbing means that it’s possible to find any potential issues within your plumbing system quickly. If you’re worried about the intrusiveness of any inspections, a friendly Jacksonville, FL plumber from Bert Norman can put you at ease, and discuss any services that you require.

Plumbing inspections are a preventative measure that should be regularly carried out by a licensed plumber to ensure that a plumbing system is working as it should and that no plumbing issues present will cause more significant problems down the line. It’s not just about finding leaking pipes, systems are checked for several complications.

Jacksonville, FL plumbing inspectors will undertake the following:

Drain inspections
Kitchen plumbing inspections, including water flow and clog checks
Bathroom plumbing inspections, including running toilets
Mainline plumbing inspections, including clog checks using a drain camera
Drain line plumbing inspections
Water pressure checks
Fixtures, supply lines, and drain water flow checks
Old pipe inspections
Washing appliance checks
Air filtration system checks
Shut off valve inspections

As the saying goes, prevention is better than a cure, and a comprehensive plumbing inspection by a Jacksonville, FL plumber offers many advantages. Detecting a problem before it becomes a severe issue is a less expensive way to ensure the following:

Improved Water Flow

Regularly maintained plumbing systems would typically be free of leaks, deposit buildups that may cause clogs, and other plumbing issues, thereby enabling your water flow to operate at peak level consistently. Preventative maintenance inspections by a plumber will clear any buildups that could cause slower water flow and improve water flow in systems that previously fell into disrepair.

Reduced Water Bills

The water wasted by leaking pipes, running toilets, and washing appliances, will result in higher utility bills. A comprehensive inspection undertaken by a professional plumber will highlight any plumbing issues and fix the root cause of any wastage. This lowers your water bill to a level appropriate to water you’re typically using day-to-day in your Jacksonville, FL home.

Longer Lifespan of Plumbing Systems

Regular inspections help your pipes to be leak-free and clog-free, which in turn makes them longer lasting. There’s no additional stress on your plumbing system, as pipes are not supporting the weight or destructive effect of mineral deposits and clogs. Detecting problems in their early stages prevents mineral deposits from having long-term effects on your plumbing system. A plumber can also improve the lifespan of water heaters and fixtures other than pipes.

Fewer Repairs

Expensive plumbing repairs are often the result of smaller issues left unattended. Regular maintenance helps to reduce the likelihood of more costly repairs, as minor clogs and leaking pipes will be fixed in their infancy during plumbing inspections. Before they cause any real damage, Bert Norman Plumbing can highlight and remove any issues that could warrant more substantial repairs in the future.

Fewer Plumbing Emergencies

The root cause of most plumbing emergencies is the buildup of hidden problems. Clogged drains that cause flooding can be devastatingly destructive, causing water leaks through ceilings that may affect electrics and damp carpets that need professional attention to clean thoroughly. They’re not only expensive to fix, considering all of the associated damages they can cause, they’re also inconvenient. The preventative nature of plumbing inspections helps to avoid situations like these.

Increased Efficiency

An expert plumber can not only point out any problem areas within your existing system, but they can upgrade faulty fixtures to newer technology that can increase the efficiency of your home. More modern fixtures will improve water flow, and they can help your home to consume less energy, making your home more efficient.

Healthier Water System

Ensuring a water tank is kept clean, and that pipes are free of mineral buildup will ensure that water quality is the best that it can be for your area. A plumbing inspection can eliminate any bacteria that can harm your health and remove the likelihood of standing water becoming a breeding ground for mold. Getting a plumbing service provider to inspect your water tanks, conduct checks, and implement minor fixes can go a long way to creating a water supply that’s healthy to drink.

Better Air Quality

A knock-on effect that a leak from a faucet, pipe, or other fixture in your home can have on your home is that it increases the presence of mold and mildew. Mold likes to live in damp conditions and standing water caused by leaks are a prime breeding ground for it. Mold and mildew can hurt air quality in homes and be especially problematic for anyone that has asthma or other lung conditions. A plumbing company can improve the air quality in your home by fixing any leaks that are causing mold or mildew.

Safer Home

Regular inspections of plumbing fixtures can avoid potentially harmful accidents. Ill-maintained water heaters experiencing excess pressure can cause scalding hot steam and water. Regularly maintaining your plumbing and water heating systems will make your home much safer.

Conclusion

It’s better to be proactive when it comes to your home’s plumbing than be reactive when a large-scale accident occurs. It’s much cheaper to employ a licensed, bonded, and insured plumber from Bert Norman’s Plumbing to undertake regular inspections than it is to hire a plumber to fix a large-scale problem caused by a slab leak, malfunctioning water heater, or a clogged drain.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Hiding Your Septic Tank | Tips from Your Trusted Callahan, FL Septic Tank Pumping Professional

Posted on November 7, 2019 by bertnorman

No matter how helpful your septic tank pumping system is to your everyday life, they are often not very flattering when it comes to pretty landscaping. In order to make your grounds look more beautiful and hide your septic tank system, you will want to do your best to conceal your septic tank pumping system. These tips will help you hide your septic tank without bringing any harm to it.

Do Not Plant Trees Near It: A lot of people think that using trees on their property in Callahan, FL is a good way to disguise anything that is not attractive on their property like their septic tank pumping system. It is not a good idea to plant trees near your septic tank due to the fact that they can damage your system and upset its normal balance of working. You should never plant trees any closer than twenty-five feet away from your septic tank pumping system.

Grass is Not a Good Idea Either: Grass may seem like an easy and quick solution to hiding your septic tank pumping system. However, it is not a good idea to grow anything permanent on the top of your system. Every time that you need to have your system serviced or have routine maintenance done on it, you will have to dig up the grass. You should cover your tank up with something that can be easily moved when you need to move it.

Animals Need to Stay Away from Your Septic Tank System: Keep animals away from your septic system. If your dog goes too far down into your septic tank system, they may confuse a piece of PVC pipe for a bone and chew it all up.

Building a Fence is Bad as Well: Even though building a fence will cover up your septic tank, you really need to keep an eye on how deep you put the fence posts in. If the posts go too deep into your soil, they could cause a lot of harm to your septic tank plumbing and have a huge negative impact on how the waste flows through it. Also, if the posts are placed in the drain field, it can compact the drain field and make it useless.

Grow a Vegetable Garden: Having a vegetable on your property is a great way to have fresh vegetables for you and your family. They can also make your yard look very pretty. It is not a good idea to grow a vegetable garden to cover up your septic tank pumping system though. The waste from your system can easily travel into your vegetable garden before it is treated, which will cause your vegetables to become contaminated.

Put Heavy Things on the Top of It: Items that weigh a lot such as lawn ornaments, gazebos, automobiles, and heavy machinery should never be put on top of your septic tank pumping system. These items can put pressure on your system and cause a lot of damage to it. Also, if they are put on top of the drain field, these items will compact the soil, which, in turn will damage the flow of the drain field.

Do Plant Grass Around the Lid: It is never a good idea to plant grass directly on top of your septic tank lid due to the fact that it will make maintaining it a lot harder. However, if you grow tall grass around your septic tank system in Callahan, FL, it will successfully conceal your septic tank lid without upsetting your beautiful landscape.

Do Put a Lightweight Lawn Ornament on Top of It: Heavy items should never be placed on the top of your septic tank pumping system. However, lightweight items that you can easily remove when needed is a good idea to conceal your septic tank on your property at your home in Callahan, FL. Some of these lightweight lawn ornaments include: statues, birdbaths, and potted plants. Not only will they cover up your septic tank, they will make your property look a lot prettier.

Rocks Are a Really Great Idea: Rocks that made to make your landscape prettier are a perfect way to conceal your septic tank. A mobile rock garden is a good idea as well. Due to the fact that they are temporary and can be easily moved around, they will not be in the way when you need to have your septic tank pumping system serviced at your home in Callahan, FL.

Create a Mosaic Lid Cover: Another option that a lot of people use to conceal their septic tank is to create a mosaic lid cover. Instead of concealing the septic tank, it adds color to it to make it look better. To create a mosaic lid cover for your septic tank, you can use small tiles on the concrete lid and it will look visually appealing and help your lid stand out nicely on your property.

Paint the Lid: If none of these ideas for concealing your septic tank are attractive to you, you can also paint its cover. Painting the lid, the same color as the color that surround it will make it blend it without upsetting any of its functionality. This option is a quick and easy solution to improve the look of your septic tank system.

Wine Barrels Can Be Wonderful: An old wine barrel can be cut in half and filled with flowers or turned upside down. It is a pretty alternative to a fake rock cover and it will also help make your yard look very attractive.

If you follow these dos and don’ts of concealing your septic tank, not only will your septic tank be concealed, it will also make your garden look very beautiful. Just do not forget to add any permanent things to cover up your septic tank, so you will easily be able to get to it when it is in need of maintenance or any type of repair. For all of your plumbing needs call Bert Norman’s Plumbing at 904-225-5888.

5 Benefits of a Newly Remodeled Bathroom | Tips from Your Jacksonville, FL Plumber

Posted on October 21, 2019 by bertnorman

A newly remodeled bathroom looks fantastic and increases the value of the home considerably. It keeps the residence looking up-to-date and improves how functional the room is to use. Hiring a plumber in Jacksonville, FL, who specializes in remodels, is highly beneficial for many reasons.

To better understand what we mean, we’ve included five of the most notable benefits that come with working with a professional opposed to DIYing it. Unless you’re skilled at removing fixtures and installing vanities, you should let a professional handle the job for you.

What an Upgraded Bathroom Does for the Home

One of the areas of the home where a remodel counts in Jacksonville, FL most is in the bathroom. It’s a high-traffic room that deserves an upgrade. If it’s been years since the bathroom has seen new fixtures, it’s time to start considering it a priority to be fixed.

Five benefits of a newly remodeled bathroom in Jacksonville, FL include:

It looks fantastic. A beautifully renovated bathroom is something you take note of right away. It looks modern and attractive. The fixtures gleam. The shower and bathtub are spacious. There’s a vanity large enough to keep all the bathroom essentials in one place. Its appearance complements the rest of the home. When the bathroom looks great, it helps the other rooms of the house look good, too.
It works better for your family. When you bought the home that you live in, you may have had no say on how it was laid out. You purchased it as is and learned quickly what its disadvantages were. After trying to use the bathroom as a family, you see the home’s shortcomings and why it’s so essential to hire a professional in Jacksonville, FL to remodel the space to make it look and feel better for your family.
It removes dated fixtures. If you’ve updated other rooms in the home, the bathroom must look modern, too. Swapping out old fixtures does the trick quickly. It makes the oldest décor look better. Consider the value of new chrome in the bathroom. Its shiny appearance is hard to miss.
It makes it more functional to use. A bathroom that you have had updated works better. No longer rust or broken parts are making it difficult to use. The toilet, sink, and bathtub operate the way that it is supposed to. There isn’t cold water coming out when you turn the hot water knob.
It raises the value of the home and makes it easier to sell. The less a person has to remodel themselves once they’ve bought a new home, the better. They’re not out any extra money to make the bathroom the way that they want it. Instead, they’re content with the remodel that you’ve done, which makes the home more valuable in their eyes. They’re willing to pay more for a move-in ready home than one they need to put some serious work in.

A professional can help you achieve your remodeling goals quickly. Rather than waste time and resources trying to tackle a job that’s too big for you to do your own, you hire a professional to do it right the first time. You’re not stuck trying to fix a bigger problem that you created yourself because you weren’t sure how to do a repair or installation.

Qualities You Will Find in the Best Plumbers

Finding the right plumber to do the job for you doesn’t need to be a difficult task. The best professionals possess certain qualities. Their professionalism is never debatable because they take their jobs very seriously.

So, how do you know that you’ve chosen the right plumber company to work with? It’s easy. They make you feel valued from the moment you make your first inquiry with them. They take the time to get to know your request and answer any questions you might have about the remodeling process.

They come to your home to take a look at the bathroom you currently have, so they have a good idea of what needs to be done to upgrade it. The plumber goes the extra mile to make things as convenient as possible for you while they work on your project, too. The last thing they want to do is make things difficult for you at home while they’re working on your bathroom.

The level of skill, expertise, and professionalism demonstrated by the plumber is far beyond what you hoped for and expected. They treat you, your family, and your home with the utmost respect. They’re also the first to let you know if they’ve run into any problems while working on your project.

That way, if there is an extra cost, you know about it without being surprised by an additional bill. When the plumber finishes the job that they’ve agreed to complete for you, they thank you for your time and for being a valued customer of their plumbing business. They also let you know that they’re available to assist you with your future remodeling and plumbing needs.

When they leave, they provide you with information necessary for keeping your newly renovated bathroom in good working order. You do not need the plumber’s services right away because of a problem that occurred in their absence. You also know what signs to look for if something isn’t working the way it should following the remodel so you can call and ask for help right away.

Let Us Exceed Your High Expectations by Providing You with Excellent Service

Contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing, Inc. today to schedule an appointment. You can use the online scheduler found on our website or call (904) 225-5888. Letting a company representative know what you have in mind for your remodel allows them to relay the message to the right person. The plumber that comes to work on your home will then know precisely what you were hoping to receive in terms of services provided.

10 Things You Shouldn’t Flush Down the Toilet | Tips from Your Yulee, FL Plumber

Posted on September 21, 2019 by bertnorman

Your toilet can’t speak. It can’t tell you to stop flushing random things. So today, we’re not here to tell you to only flush what’s supposed to be flushed. Hopefully, you already know what is! We’re here to speak on behalf of your plumber in the Yulee, FL area. Here’s what you should never flush down your toilet.

Remember, with each flush, you’re using up almost three gallons of water. Make sure that you’re not wasting water by flushing the wrong things. If you do, it’s best to call a professional in the Yulee, FL area.

Do you want to make sure you’re not flushing any of these things down your toilet? Do yourself a favor and go through this list:

1. Flushable Wipes

Names can be deceiving. Sometimes people can say things they don’t mean. Similarly, some makeup and baby wipes claim to be flushable. We suggest you refrain from risking the damage caused by flushing them down the toilet. They are usually not biodegradable and can clog up your toilet. When there’s a trash can nearby, use it. It’s a much safer alternative.

2. Diapers

While, we’re on the topic of baby products, one thing you should definitely not be tossing in the toilet is a diaper. They’re big and smelly and your plumber will not be happy to see that you’ve tried to flush it away. A diaper is technically already a portable toilet for your baby anyway. The only sensible decision to make after it has been used is to throw it in the bin.

3. Floss

You should be flossing twice a day. Once when you wake up and once before sleeping. Your toilet, however, does not need to floss. So please don’t throw your floss in there. It may seem like it isn’t a big deal at first, but floss bunches up over time and will lodge itself in your bathroom plumbing. It can also get caught with more gunk and create a huge mess.

4. Cat Litter

Humans and cats are meant to use different toilets. If you find yourself flushing kitty litter down the toilet, stop before your plumber has to buy you a litter box. Cat litter often becomes blobs of solid once it touches water. If you put it in the toilet, chances are it’ll form clumps inside the pipes and clog your pipes.

5. Food

Waste food and you’ll be labeled a terrible person. Attempt to flush it down the toilet and your plumber will never see you the same way again. Not only is it disgusting to take your food to the bathroom, but trying to dispose of it this way is one of the worst ideas you could have. If there’s ever any extra or unwanted food at home, try dropping it off at the local soup kitchen.

Along these lines, you shouldn’t be getting rid of oil or grease this way either. You may think that you’re only putting liquid in the bowl, just like the majority of things that usually go in there, but you’re not. Oil and any kinds of grease will eventually solidify in your pipes and clog them.

6. Tampons

It may seem like the easiest solution when you’re in a hurry. As convenient as it may seem, it’s very harmful for your pipes, and you will have to call your plumber to save you. Be responsible when disposing of your tampons or other hygiene products. Wrap them with toilet paper and throw them in the garbage. It may seem like a handful at first, but you’ll get used to it.

7. Pets

This is as bad of an idea as it is cruel. Animals, especially your pets deserve to be disposed of with as much dignity as anyone else. People tend to throw their fishes in the toilet, but this is going to cause you trouble in the long run. Animals do not break down in the pipes and you will have to call a plumber to unclog the blockage.

This shouldn’t have to be said, but you definitely should not be getting rid of living pets this way at all. Find someone who wants to adopt your pet if you don’t want them anymore.

8. Medication

You may be wondering what the issue is when medicine also dissolves in your body? Well, although they won’t clog your pipes and be an issue for your plumber they will dissolve into the groundwater and release chemicals into your sewers. This will, over time, become a problem for you too.

The water that runs in our sewers is the same water that goes into the major water bodies around us. The last thing you want is your favorite beaches to become contaminated.

9. Hair

Hair loss is real and anyone will tell you they hate it too. Do you really want to flush your precious locks down the toilet? Any kind of hair should be thrown into the garbage. Hair can get tangled up with other things in your pipes.

If your pet is suffering from fur loss, make sure you throw their fur away properly too. When detangling your hair from your brushes, try to do it near a garbage can.

10. Cotton Swabs

You may think these little creatures aren’t going to create any issues for you, but your plumberwill tell you otherwise. Like paper towels and facial tissues, these aren’t made to be put in your toilet. They might not dissolve in the water as easily as toilet paper. Regularly flushing them down the toilet after removing your makeup will lead to a clog in your pipes.

If you are looking for a professional plumber in the Yulee, FLarea, give Bert Norman’s Plumbing of Yulee, FL a call at 904-225-5888 or fill out our online request form.

Category: plumbing tips