Avoiding a plumbing emergency is easier than you think. Being more mindful about your actions can help save you from expensive plumbing repairs and replacements down the line, but you can’t be mindful of your actions if you don’t know what to do and what not to do. From shoddy DIY plumbing jobs to old habits you need to break, here are 5 things that might be destroying your plumbing at home without you knowing it.
#1 Flushing flushable wipes
Ignore what the packaging says, flushable wipes should never be flushed down the toilet. Just ask your friendly neighborhood plumber and he’ll tell you what a nightmare these deceitful little things are. Flushing flushable wipes creates a partial blockage in the drain which, over time, can clog up the entire thing. When this happens, you’ll notice water rising up from your drains and, possibly, from other bathroom fixtures like your bathtub, sink, and toilet.
#2 Using the wrong type of drain cleaner
There are times when hiring a pro to fix a clog is just not an option. Maybe it’s too late in the day or maybe you just don’t have the budget for it -- whatever the reason might be, you always have two options: wait until you can hire a pro or you can fix it yourself. If you’re choosing to go with the latter option, be wary about the type of drain cleaner you use. Not all drain cleaners are made equal. Some are specially formulated for kitchen drains, others for bathroom drains. Use the right one to avoid damaging your pipes.
#3 Pouring grease in your sink drain
How do you get rid of extra grease or used oil in your kitchen? Do you throw it down the drain? If your answer is yes, it’s time to stop. Throwing grease down the drain may seem like the easiest way to get rid of unwanted grease living in your pots and pans before you wash them but doing this and making a habit out of it will lead to clogged drains. Instead of doing this, you can gather up your grease in an old jar and then dispose of it properly.
#4 Overtightening pipe connections
With a little bit of know-how, you can install your own under-the-sink pipes. When you do, make sure you’re not doing it too tightly as this can lead to cracks and other damages. All that money you saved from DIYing your pipe installation will go down the drain and all your efforts will go to waste as well. Tighten until you feel that the pipes are connected well enough and then test it by letting the water run for a while. If there are leaks, you could tighten it a little bit more. Otherwise, you’re good to go.
#5 Misusing the garbage disposal
The garbage disposal is a feature in most homes that’s often taken for granted. When using your garbage disposal, make sure you’re not throwing stuff in there that’s too hard or too difficult for the machine to process. Read the user’s manual if you’re using one for the first time. Don’t throw anything too big, too thick, or too hard for the grinder to process. This will hurt the blades and make them dull. It can also clog up the system and stink up your kitchen.
Now that you know what messes up with your home’s plumbing, it’s important to be more mindful of your actions so you don’t suffer from the consequences and pay for them (literally and figuratively) later.