There are tons of helpful plumbing tips out there but not all of them are as helpful as you may think. In fact, many of these common household tips are bad for the wear and tear of your plumbing and the environment. It’s time to stop googling for plumbing advice and start listening to the professionals. So, what are the 10 things we wish homeowners wouldn’t do?
Ignoring The Problem
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners often make is ignoring a plumbing problem. Even with minor instances that appear to be just little irritations like a slow drip from a faucet or shower head, or a toilet that constantly runs, the damage can grow over time and eventually require major, unnecessary repairs or replacement.
Using Chemical Drain Cleaners
Put down the Drano, and no one will get hurt! For years people have been taught that chemical drain cleaners help clear clogs. Though they may break down some of the grime in your plumbing, the side effects are not worth the risk. Clogs from foreign objects in drains are common and sometimes feel seemingly inevitable. Because of this, many solutions are readily available to homeowners at local stores. However, these chemical drain cleaners, are the least recommended by plumbers.
These drain cleaners are not as effective as presented for getting rid of clogs. The strong chemicals are harsh enough to cause damage to the pipes including underground pipes that are difficult to access. These can cost you time, and money if repairs are necessary, which heavily outweigh the temporary relief of the chemical drain cleaner.
Treating Your Toilet Like A Trash Can
Using your sink and toilet as another trash can in your home is never the answer. Out of sight, out of mind is a common process for many just because something heads down the drain doesn’t mean it makes it quite all the way out of the home. Flushing things like Q-Tip’s, paper towels, and feminine products can often cause difficult clogs, even despite their size. In addition, things that are advertised as flushable, are not. They do not break down and often will clog your mainline.
Overextending The Water Heater
Do you know the average life span of a water heater is 12 years and they should not exceed 15 years before being replaced. The older the get, the greater the risk there is for failure and serious flooding. They also get less efficient the older they get. Though the water heater is a significant purchase, the damage they can cause adds much more.
Don’t Overload Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals do help break down food particles in your sink, but they do have their limits. They are meant to catch small scraps of food that didn’t make it in the trash can before being put in the sink. They are not meant for a lot of food, fruits, vegetables, meats or breads. Anything that is coarse or greasy should never go down the garbage disposal.
Don’t Let Hair Go Down The Drain
The massive globs of hair that block your bathroom sink and shower drains are gross. To prevent these recurring clogs from happening in your bathroom, install a hair catcher in your bathroom sink and shower drain. Another tip for those that tend to shed a lot is to brush your hair before you get into the shower.
Using Drop-In Toilet Tank Cleaners
Drop-in toilet tank cleaners are another quick solution to cleaning that sounds appealing, but it can cause serious damage to your entire system. The chemicals in the tablets can wear all the various parts in the tank and cause accelerated aging in the toilet. On the other hand, if they get flushed too soon, they can get clogged in your pipes. It’s best to just stay away from it altogether to prevent costly and premature damage to the toilet.
Not Knowing, Or Forgetting Where Your Main Water Shut Off Valves Are
It is so important to know about the plumbing in your home, especially where the main water shut off is located. In the case of major plumbing emergencies, it is crucial to be able to get to these without hesitation.
If you don’t know where they are located, please ask us the next time we are at your house and we will gladly show you. If there ever is a water emergency, you want to know where they are so you can quickly shut the water off to your home to try and protect it from water damage.
Not Caring For The Hoses
It is very common for hoses for household machines like washing machines and dish washers to be forgotten, but they do require maintenance or replacement. These should be checked and inspected for damage often and replaced every five years or so to avoid accidents and flooding.
You Tried To DIY
It’s great to learn how to fix things on your own. However, when it comes to a plumbing issue you will save money in the long run by hiring us to make sure the entire issue is resolved. Plumbing systems are complex – and the consequences of a plumbing hack job can be severe for your home and for your wallet.
Ottagan Plumbing Incorporated serves residential and commercial customers in West Michigan. “Ottagan” in our name is a combination of Ottawa and Allegan, the counties we serve. You can recognize us by our “duck on the truck”: our colorful rubber duck mascot. Learn more about our services or contact us today!
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