Your plumbing can handle a lot, but some items should never be flushed or rinsed down the drain. Even if a few of these are obvious to you, here is a gentle reminder of which items should stay out of your pipes:

• Cooking oil in the kitchen sink drain. After you’re finished cooking with oil or grease, the easiest place to get rid of the liquid would be to pour it down the kitchen sink. However, oil can solidify and form blockages in your plumbing, and can pollute the water systems around you. Let the oil cool first, and then dispose of it in the garbage. Pour it into an empty jar or can if you have more than a few tablespoons.
• Hard objects in the garbage disposal. The easiest way to break your garbage disposal is to put hard food items into it, like dry pasta or fruit pits. Your garbage disposal is strong, but it’s not actually meant to dispose of all garbage! We regularly get calls to Manassas area homes to replace garbage disposals that still have lots of life left in them.
• Paper objects in the toilet. Toilets are for toilet paper only! Avoid flushing paper towels, cotton balls, feminine products, dental floss, baby wipes and other objects that can clog your sewage system and add more garbage to the city.

If you aren’t sure about an object that isn’t on this list, just throw it in the garbage! If you have concerns about your Manassas area home’s plumbing because you have been disposing of any of these items down the drain or toilet and into your pipes, give the professionals at RLB services a call for a plumbing inspection.

RLB Receives “Best Plumber” Award for Fairfax, VA

RLB is proud to announce that we were chosen as one of the top 9 best plumbers by Expertise! RLB was selected for the honor from a pool of 24 plumbers in Fairfax, Virginia.

The award states, “RLB Services Inc. is a fully licensed and insured plumbing company serving residential customers in communities throughout Northern Virginia for over 40 years. Bob Beckwith, the company’s founder is a master plumber and gas fitter and HVAC specialist. Plumbing services include repairing and installing all household fixtures, gas and electric water heaters, gas fireplaces, and boilers. The company also repairs and maintains drains, sump pumps, and energy-efficient products and fixtures. Certification for National Fireplace Institute (Certification No. 167711) specialist in gas products, Hydronic Specialist (licensed to do air conditioning but doesn’t do air condition) LICENSE #2705089491.”

We are so proud of the recognition, and thank our customers for trusting us with your homes and plumbing needs. And, of course, thank you to Expertise for choosing RLB!