Are you guilty of any of these? Plenty of people do the following things and don’t realize that they’re actually hurting their plumbing system.
Letting Hair Go Down the Drain
The main cause of clogs in tub and shower drains is hair. Sure, it’s inevitable that some hair will wash down your drain while you shower, but there are steps you can take to greatly reduce the amount of hair going down the drain. Using drain strainers is a great way to prevent clogging–simply pop the strainer into your drain to catch loose hair and other debris, then empty it out into the trash when you’re done. Another good habit to get into is brushing or combing your hair before you hop in the shower–this will collect loose hair and reduce the amount that comes out in the shower.
Using Liquid Drain Cleaners
Most people use liquid drain cleaner as soon as they notice a slow drain, but this is actually bad for your plumbing. This is because liquid drain cleaners contain corrosive chemicals that eat away not only at clogs, but at pipes too. Using these products can cause leaks and damaged pipes. Instead, reach for a plunger the next time you have a clogged drain.
Using Your Garbage Disposal Like a Trash Can
Many people use their garbage disposal units to get rid of kitchen waste of all kinds, including items like citrus peels, eggshells, and coffee grinds. This is not what garbage disposals were designed for and can damage the mechanism as well as clog up your pipes. Use your garbage disposal only for small kitchen scraps that inevitably wash down the drain and toss those bigger scraps into the compost instead.
Trying to DIY Something You Shouldn’t
One of the main reasons why our plumbers get called in for emergency jobs? When someone tries to DIY a plumbing repair and ends up making the problem much worse. If you’re not confident in your ability to do a DIY repair, don’t attempt it. Realize when you need a little help and call in the professionals. Believe us, you’ll save yourself a lot of time, money, and stress.